Experiences with Sun Qube

[Mike Gerdts]

I have not used one in a production environment, but have played with a
demo unit for a bit.  From what I recall:

The good:

        * The web-based management interface was intuitive and did not
          seem to have any bugs that prevented me from adding/deleting
          users, giving them access to what they needed, etc.
        * Good ability to allow some users access to some things while
          denying them access to others.
        * LCD display and four buttons allow you to do basic
          configuration to get to a web-based configuration tool.  No
          serial console required.
        * Its hard drives are mirrored.  I am not sure what
          do-it-yourself replacement methods are supported.
        * It seemed to have an on-line software update capability.
        * Wide SCSI connection off the back for tape, CD, or more disk.
        * One available PCI slot.
        * Full shell access.  You can install software on your own.
        * Dual ethernet-- one to go to the DSL router, one for the
          trusted internal network.  The Qube can be your firewall/DHCP
          server.
        * VPN capable.

The bad (may be fixed in more recent software revs)

        * No X libraries, and as such running X programs to a remote
          display was not possible.
        * No ssh.
        * File system is not journalling and the power button is not a
          soft-power.  Clean shutdowns cannot be done from the browser
          and the clean shutdown method from the 4 buttons and LCD
          requires too much navigation.  As such fsck on startup is
          commonplace.

Unknowns:

        * What backup software is available to back up to a local tape?
        * I think the official support method for a failed hard drive is
          "return the qube, we'll fix it".  What kind of turnaround time
          and/or guarantee about saving data will there be?


I think that the Qube can probably do everything that it advertises
fairly well.  Then again, if there is a sysadmin that is willing to do
some hand-holding from time to time, a PC running much of the same
software (linux, apache, etc.) would work as well.  If the goal is to
reduce the amount of handholding as much as possible, the Qube augmented
with a tape drive (or at least daily rsync to another machine) would
probably be a good choice.

Mike