[CentOS] Re: Centos 4.4 ?

Walt Reed wreed at vinq.com
Fri Jul 28 13:53:32 UTC 2006


On Thu, Jul 27, 2006 at 01:54:12PM -0700, Scott Silva said:
> Leonardo Vilela Pinheiro spake the following on 7/27/2006 12:36 PM:
> > On 7/26/06, *Johnny Hughes*
> > <mailto:mailing-lists at hughesjr.com>> wrote:
> > 
> >     Within the same major version (Centos-2, Centos-3, Centos-4) you will
> >     always have the latest update set by just doing normal upgrades.
> > 
> > Is an Intel video chip driver for CentOS 4 going to work if installed on
> > CentOS 4.3 ?
> > 
> > Every third party driver for CentOS 4 is going to work on the latest update?

> Drivers are usually compiled to the kernel, but that is not hard.
> Remember, CentOS is an Enterprise Distribution. It is meant for servers and
> stable workstations. That type of equipment isn't usually the latest and
> fastest hardware with ever-changing drivers. If you are using exotic or new
> hardware for an enterprise class of equipment, CentOS might not be for you.
> Maybe linux might not be for you, because most hardware gets Windows drivers
> first -- that is where the cash comes from. Windows users are used to spending
> $$$ for software.

>  But that doesn't mean you can't use new hardware. I just bought some HP
> servers that ran CentOS 4 right from the box.

I've had mixed results.

Standard hardware (HP included) just seem to work out of the box with
the latest releases. In some cases, vendor driver installation apps
recompile for whatever kernel you are using. In others, the vendors
supply a range of pre-compiled modules for all the versions of vendor
kernels. EMC PowerPath drivers are one such beast (not really needed on
Centos 4 due to the multi-pathing support in the OS, but IS needed on
Centos-3.) There is frequently lag time for the vendors to catch up.





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