FreeBSD supported in Compaq's testdrive programme

Pedro Vazquez wrote in point out that Compaq's test drive programme now supports FreeBSD on Alpha and x86 platforms. The Alpha server is a 500MHz EV5.6 (21164) system, the x86 server is a Dual 450MHz box (no mention of processor, probably a PII). You have to register for an account, and then you can go and play. Compaq x86 boxes used to be particularly hostile when installing FreeBSD, so this is a very welcome development.

Excellent

[Foogle]

Kudos to Compaq! Once again they've proven that they're behind Open Source operating systems. It doesn't bother me that they've still got Tru64 as a proprietary system, as long as they acknowlege the possible advantages of other systems, like xBSD and Linux (esp. Linux). Now, if only their low-end systems were so shoddy...

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"You can't shake the Devil's hand and say you're only kidding."

Re:"programme"?

[kromslot]

>damn brits >1st? At showing your stupidity, yes.

So much for all the complaints.

[Forge]

Just supporting Linux means responding to the hippie in a "sensible" way, Supporting Linux, FreeBSD and your own Unix flavors in this way means giving the customers choice. It's the equivalent of saying "I don't care what OS or software you run as long as you do so on OUR hardware".

3 chars to Compaq for finally catching the internet wave and realizing that FreeBSD is probably the #3 or #4 OS platform on the net, and taking steps to prove that it runs on Compaq machines.

Compaq and End Servers

[Mnemic]

It's nice to See servers with this type of deveopment going on. With the prospect of SMP support in linux soon, maybe everyone will jump on this bandwagon to get Multiple processor Servers into the Mainstream of Testing/deveopment and allow linux to storm all of the Comm Rooms across the world.. :)

More good news from Compaq

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm starting to like these guys more and more.

A friend of mine in another office where I work says that they just got in this new Compaq server machine, like an 8500 or something, with 8 Xeon processors running at some ungodly rate of speed and a whopping 4GB of RAM. It comes certified by Compaq to run, among other OS's, Linux.

This is a GOOD day for OpenSource OSes!

[mr]

*clap clap*

Its good to see BSD *AND* GNU/Linux getting the nod of support from "the big boys"

IBM uses BSD in their whistleJet boxes, and as I understand in the NC's they sell. It would be nice to see another of the 'big boys' say that, yes, we support BSD too.

What would be interesting (and something we will never know) is how many systems Compaq sells because of the test drive, and how many are going to be Linux/BSD/Tru64. (and for yucks...how much the Test Drive program cost them...to prove that OpenSource PAYS!)

Now THAT is a good sign

[Enoch Root]

Nowadays, when I see companies jumping into the Linux bandwagon, I'm reluctant to call them enlightened and open to the Open Source community's ideas. I figure they just ride the hype and jump on a money opportunity. I mean, let's face it. My mother knows about Linux today. FreeBSD is still far away from her daily computer concerns.

What I mean is, it's becoming an imperative for companies to support and develop for Linux. They have a business obligation to do it. It's all the best for us, but still.

Now, supporting FreeBSD is another thing altogether. It takes dedication to the Open Source movement, or at least a modicum of long-term vision not normally possessed by companies. FreeBSD is a solid, well-crafted alternative, and it is part of the Open Source revolution, in some ways better than Linux. If companies are really to embrace the OS movement, then they have to consider other OS initiatives, and not just Red Hat Linux.

So I think this is a genuine show of intelligence from Compaq. And I cannot help but applaud.

"There is no surer way to ruin a good discussion than to contaminate it with the facts."

WhistleJet

[parc]

The WhistleJet was originally developed by a little company, not IBM. It's arguable that IBM just didn't feel like reengineering a box that already worked well. Not that FreeBSD isn't capable. I run a full ISP on it.

Re:Compaq and End Servers

[GC]

Linux has had some sort of SMP Support [linux.org] since version 2.0, and although this has had it's problems [indiana.edu] along the way - things are well on their way to improvement. Perhaps it is time for an update on how SMP improvements have progressed.

At last!

[mischief]

At last, the bigger companies are starting to take notice of *BSDs. Now, when are we going to get native VMWare and Oracle??

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great news... right?

[eries]

Sounds like Compaq is finally showing their understanding of OSS. Not bad, but what exactly is this test drive program? In what ways will Compaq be supporting *BSD? Anyone tried using it yet?