Hello,

About a year ago I installed a samba fileserver, running Suse-linux 9.1 for a local company. It has been running whitout any problems until last week: a power-outtake appearantly was enough to crash the harddisk.

Anyway, the company decided to buy a complete new system; better backup-possibilities, more speed, enz.. And I've been asked to install this system for them.

Since Suse has been working so well, I want to stick whit that, but am not quite sure what version to pick.

Some more background-info:
The company is quite small, about 10 people, so that means max 10 users for that server. They are all using windows-workstations; the linux server will act as an NT domain server, using samba.
I currenty have an official version of Suse linux 9.1 professional (32 bit). I don't know the exact specs of the new machine, but changes are that it's going to be a 64bit (AMD) machine.
The server will be running on the internal network; so behind a proxy, firewall and what not. Therefore security is not a top priority, although ofcourse still important.
Stability is important. Those people know very little about linux. They know it's secure, the know its stable, they know it's cheap. (atleast, thats the opinion they have now after using that old server for about a year ). And would like to keep it that way.......

So, as i see it, i have three options:
-stick whit suse 9.1 pro 32 bit.
-get suse 9.3 pro (either 32 or 64 bit, depends on machine)
-get suse 10 rc1

I prefer the lastone, but am not quite sure it's stable enough already.
And if I install suse 10 now, would it be possible to upgrade through yast once the final version is released?

So.. What's the best version to pick right now?

Thanks for any feedback.

If stability is important, don't install a BETA release! Even if you get a stable system, why would you like to do all the work again when the final version is released? Since many fresh releases are a bit buggy in the beginning, I would recommend a version that is on the market for a bit longer (and install all available patches). I'd just stick to 9.1.

yea, thats probably a much wiser solution.. Why fix it if it isn't broken..

I just checked the suse webpage; it seems 9.1 is still actively supported, so thats fine.

One last question. If it turns out to be a 64 bit machine(which is not sure yet) Do i need to buy a new version of suse linux, or is there a way to update from 32 to 64 bit versions or something?

either way, thanks for the input.

I am not familiar with the advantages of 64bit architecture on a server. Maybe you can use the 32bit version without much difference in performance. But if you have an official version of 9.1, shouldn't there be a 64bit version on the DVD as well? Anyway, it can be installed from FTP.

Neither am I, but to be sure...

Argh... your right. I don't have the cd's here (there at the company). So i used the suse website as a reference. Since 32 and 64 bit versions are listed seperatly there, I figured these needed to be bought seperatly too..
So that's sorted too

Thanks, I now what to do now

I suggest upgrading to 9.3. This is the most stable version and usually the best before they start the process again with 10.x etc. Been a user since 7.1.

Cheers