[csw-users] Why support Solaris 8 onwards?

[Jonathan Wheeler]

Anthony Cogan wrote:
> It's really a debate between us "old timers" Sys. Admins in the  
> Enterprise vs. the newer "Linux" (I don't want to say kids, but), kids.
> 
> These people who run it at home or co-lo'd somewhere are used to  
> upgrading/updating every 6-12 months with the newest and latest  
> versions.
> 
> Whereas, I remember when I was doing some work at a large plane  
> manufacturer, us Sys. Admins were bent because of Y2k testing.  We  
> had some Solaris boxes at that time that had been up longer than  
> Windows NT had even been released (mainly DNS/Utility server stuff),  
> but we didn't want to reset our uptime. ;)
> 
> Anyways, in an Enterprise, you don't change just for the sake of  
> changing, if it works, then you leave it alone, except for critical  
> patches.
> 
> Now, like all of us "Old timers" have said, when something compelling  
> causes us to upgrade we do.  I just built two servers for my wife's  
> online business, a X2100 M2 and a X2200 M2, both running Solaris 10  
> with a good number of zones and ZFS.  I have to say, Solaris 10 does  
> have some darn nice features and will be the version I use for all  
> new builds, but I still do not see a compelling reason to move off of  
> Solaris 8.  For some odd reason too, I never have seen any reason to  
> go to Solaris 9, I couldn't even tell you one feature in it that  
> Solaris 8 didn't have.  Hmph.
> 
> I personally like to leave things running smoothly and reading my  
> Dilbert or the latest BigAdmin article instead of upgrading, which  
> always causes me about a week or two of fine tuning / debugging.
> 
> My .02 from this old timer

Others are probably thinking it, but I want to make sure it's been said.

That was a really insightful email!

As an ex-linux..er...well I ran gentoo for years, so I guess I'm going
to be labeled a "kid" - I found it really helpful to have some insight
into the history of the old-but-wise solaris admin.

Personally, I've not ever installed solaris 10, I'm living in the 11
generation that you mentioned in passing. Joining blastwave, I've been
working my way "backwards" from x86 solaris 11 to sparc solaris8. Wee!

Not having ever used solaris 8, I don't have any soft-spot for it
whatsoever, but you do raise some good points around change.

I've also not seen solaris 9, but it sure sounds like he gets a rough
time! It's always hard being the middle sibling eh?

Thanks Anthony!
Jonathan