[TriLUG] Multiprocessor Install

[Justin Johnson]

> > anything different than doing a single proc install?
> Nope, not if it is a fairly recent copy of redhat (post 5.2
> should work ;p)

Cool. I'm going to make this a RH7.2 or RH7.3 box, so I should be in good
shape.


> To make sure you have an SMP kernel, you can type "cat /proc/cpuinfo"
> if you see processor 0 and processor 1 listed, you are set.  Now, next
> time you compile something with make, try "make -j 3" to
> split the build over both processors.

Will have to make sure I remeber this one! :-)


> Careful with IDE raid, most of the cheaper controllers won't give you
> any performance advantage over Linux software raid, assuming
> you can find
> drivers.  That said, an extra ATA controller might be worth the money
> so that you can have only 1 IDE device per channel.

Any suggestions on a good ATA controller card that is supported in linux?

Ya know, the last time I did an install I saw the software RAID option and
was wondering about that option. I know that when I was
/CHICKEN_WIRE_FENCE:=UP/ taking MCSE classes a few years ago
/CHICKEN_WIRE_FENCE:=DOWN/ I was told that the MS software RAID was pretty
much crap and to stay away from it, especially if you where under the
impression that it was truly redundant. Is the linux version reliable in
that sense? And what about performance? Any gains there?


> I hope this helps and I hope you have fun-- you may be
> surprised at how fast
> an SMP machine "feels".

I was hoping that would be the case.... can't wait to find out.

Thanks!
Justin