Hi all,

I have a dual-core machine with 8GB of RAM currently running the 64-bits version of OpenSuSE 11.1. It's a great distro, but lacks one feature that is important for me: The installer doesn't support encryption of the root filesystem.

Actually, I would like to setup the system with a combination of LUKS, LVM and RAID-1 like so:
http://www.iverbi.de/slackware/RAID1...2_2_Howto.html
http://www.iverbi.de/slackware/RAID1...12_2_Howto.pdf

Therefore, and because all my other machines are running Slackware 12.2, by now, I'd rather run a 64-bit-Slackware on that machine. However, this isn't available, yet.

My question now is, what is the best strategy now to make the switch to 64-bit-Slackware as smooth as possible, once it arrives. I am thinking of the following options, but add your own, if you feel that there are better solutions.

1. Install SLAMD64.
Up to now I was hesitating to do this, and preferred something more "established" (and finally chose OpenSuSE 11.1). However, if I did it: Could I expect that a later install of Slackware-64 would be kind of an upgrade, not forcing me to do all the hard work of setting up RAID and encrypting the volumes once again?

2. Install Slackware 12.2 32-bits, compile kernel to support 8GB of RAM.
How "compatible" would this solution be with a later Slackware-64? Simple upgrade? Or new install required?
PRO: Available, easy to do following proven procedures. CON: Not sure about the consequences for later upgrades and for kernel patches (probably just recompiling required, but not sure about potential side-effects...).

3. Stick with OpenSuSE 11.1 (which is a great distro, only lacking one important feature), and set it up following one of the manual procedures described in the OpenSuSE wiki and elsewhere. Pro: Excellent, well-established distro with great support for my hardware. CON: Not sure, if the encryted volumes/partitions are useful for an eventual switch to Slackware 64-bit.

I am really undecided. Which way would you recommend me to go?

Thanks in advance,

gargamel

For #2 all you need is a kernel recompile with highmem64 enabled.

Yes, thanks, but could I upgrade to a 64-bit Slackware, once it appears, later and re-use the LUKS + LVM + RAID-1 setup (encrypted logical volumes), or would I have to re-do it all?

I guess it should be possible, as most file systems (I normally use ext3, but consider to give JFS a go) are 64-bit anyway. So a 64-bit system should be able to run on the same basis without compromising performance, stability or security.

I would like to make sure that my thinking is correct, here.

Thanks,

gargamel

Other opinions?

Thanks!

gargamel

Right now I'm not sure whether there will be an official 64-bit Slackware. Either way I think you could use either slamd64 or bluewhite64 and you would be set. They are both unofficial, but it's unlikely there will ever be an official slackware-64 like you say ... unless you know something I don't.

Thanks. No, I don't know of any rumours or even hard facts indicating a 64-bit release of Slackware. However, I'd *LIKE* to see it and would rather install it now than later.

But why are you so sceptic? Why don't you think that sooner or later there'll be a 64-bit version of Slackware?

gargamel

Probably because of the 1 man boss and the 2-4 man team behind him. They can only maintain 1 stream of code at that current man power. Also, because of the amount of backwards compatibility and the amount of people still running on 32bit only processors, I doubt Slackware will move on to 64bit. For a long while at least.

Hmm, yes, but:

1. There's is stiff competition, and the demand for 64-bit ist growing. Not before long a distro that is "only" 32-bit will fall behind in the market...

2. Many of the scripts at SlackBuilds.org (if not all) already support 64 bits, with little or no modification, AFAIK, and a large part of them is maintained by exactly that small core team.

3. As far as I understand Patrick Volkerding and Fred Emmott became friends at some KDE event.

The technology is there, and the people mentioned are certainly very knowledgable and skilled. On the other hand, Slackware is so good, because it is maintained conservatively. Nevertheless, it would make a lot of sense to me to see a 64-bit version of Slackware rather sooner than later.

But if there is something supporting your point of view, my conclusion would be to continue using another major 64-bit distro on up-to-date hardware. SLAMD64 and BW64 may be a nice distro in its own right, but I would only install it as an intermediate step to an "official" 64-Slackware release. But if there is no final step after the intermediate one, then I'll have to check out other options, I am afraid.

BTW, isn't OS/390 64 bits? I really don't know...

gargamel

#1. I completely agree with the statement that a 32bit only distro will fall behind.

#2.Yes they do.

#3. ...i don't follow up enough on linux events to keep tabs on that

I also believe that the technology is there and available. And it does make sense to have a 64bit operating system, especially when linux has such great support for it. However I think in the end it will come down to a limitation of man power. Although... I do see slackware going 64bit and maybe someone forking a 32bit version, like what SLAMD64 and BW64 are doing.

I see no reason why you should not be able to create an encrypted {Slackware,slamd64} install and upgrade that later to an official Slackware 64-bit. After all, the encryption, partitions and filesystems are all independent of the software running on top.

Eric

Thanks, Eric.
Which way would you do it?

gargamel

I. e.: Slackware with 8GB support or SLAMD64?

You are asking me... you could predict my answer. Naturally, you should go for Slackware proper always.

Eric

Ok.

Thanks!


(I was hesitating to go into that direction, as the 64-bit system on that machine demonstrates a lot of power and my initial experiments with Slackware a year ago were quite good, but not equally impressive; well, it's an intermediate step, I hope!)

gargamel

Just remember that Alien Bob is biased, obviously.

Yes, of course.
Although, from some of his posts here at LQ, I guess that he is running one SLAMD64 system, at least, himself. But his reply was the "politically correct" one, of course...

gargamel