UNIX advice sought
Discussion
My parents business has for many years run a unix computer system (Tetra2000 in its latest form). However the hardware is becoming dated and starting to present problems. Most notably yesterday when the server went down owing to a problem with its power supply.
The support people think it unlikely that they will be able to find a replacement part for it.
It's a small business with around 5 workstations and the computer system handles everything, accounting, stock control, ordering, dispatch, sales etc etc etc.
What would the wise and learned of PH suggest? I've already spoken to them until i'm blue in the face about the issues they knew they were facing. Everything is backed up daily, so that's no an issue. What IS an issue now appears to be getting hardware. I've told them they should really change over to a system which is still commercially available and onto a system for which hardware is easily available.
So, any suggestions very much appreciated.
(and also, could it really be impossible to find a replacement server part??)
The support people think it unlikely that they will be able to find a replacement part for it.
It's a small business with around 5 workstations and the computer system handles everything, accounting, stock control, ordering, dispatch, sales etc etc etc.
What would the wise and learned of PH suggest? I've already spoken to them until i'm blue in the face about the issues they knew they were facing. Everything is backed up daily, so that's no an issue. What IS an issue now appears to be getting hardware. I've told them they should really change over to a system which is still commercially available and onto a system for which hardware is easily available.
So, any suggestions very much appreciated.
(and also, could it really be impossible to find a replacement server part??)
I'd resort to fleabay in the short term, to try and find a replacement part for the hardware. Then start asking searching questions of the support company about what actual support are they being in this situation. Certainly your folks ought to consider a move to a new system that runs on supportable hardware in the very near future. I've never heard of anyone who provides a Tetra 2000 virtual machine, so that route is out...
It sounds like the 'support' company are not trying very hard to find parts. Unless the systems are really ancient I would have though it would be relatively easy to find a hardware re-seller and buy some 2nd hand parts to cover any potential problems with the workstations/servers now and in the future.
On my last contract i had to source 50+ old HP Workstations and Servers to support a new customer, who had 300+ non HP supported systems they had no interest in upgrading due to the cost and complexity. I managed to get most of the kit from eBay and a few UK resellers very cheaply.
On my last contract i had to source 50+ old HP Workstations and Servers to support a new customer, who had 300+ non HP supported systems they had no interest in upgrading due to the cost and complexity. I managed to get most of the kit from eBay and a few UK resellers very cheaply.
Thanks for the advice all.
I'm waiting for a phone call to let me know exactly what part is required. I will then go on the hunt and see what i can dig up on ebay etc.
Then i will takl to them (again) about upgrading their system to something that's mainstream supportable. The issue is that they've used the same system (or a version of it) for the last 20 odd years, so are loathe to have to relearn something.
I'm waiting for a phone call to let me know exactly what part is required. I will then go on the hunt and see what i can dig up on ebay etc.
Then i will takl to them (again) about upgrading their system to something that's mainstream supportable. The issue is that they've used the same system (or a version of it) for the last 20 odd years, so are loathe to have to relearn something.
johnnywb said:
Thanks for the advice all.
I'm waiting for a phone call to let me know exactly what part is required. I will then go on the hunt and see what i can dig up on ebay etc.
Then i will takl to them (again) about upgrading their system to something that's mainstream supportable. The issue is that they've used the same system (or a version of it) for the last 20 odd years, so are loathe to have to relearn something.
I have to say I'd be tempted to try a virtualisation solution. Have a play with VMware server (it's free), and see if you can install what you need into a virtual machine. If it can be made to work then look into using VMware ESX as there is a significant performance improvement.I'm waiting for a phone call to let me know exactly what part is required. I will then go on the hunt and see what i can dig up on ebay etc.
Then i will takl to them (again) about upgrading their system to something that's mainstream supportable. The issue is that they've used the same system (or a version of it) for the last 20 odd years, so are loathe to have to relearn something.
Munter said:
johnnywb said:
Thanks for the advice all.
I'm waiting for a phone call to let me know exactly what part is required. I will then go on the hunt and see what i can dig up on ebay etc.
Then i will takl to them (again) about upgrading their system to something that's mainstream supportable. The issue is that they've used the same system (or a version of it) for the last 20 odd years, so are loathe to have to relearn something.
I have to say I'd be tempted to try a virtualisation solution. Have a play with VMware server (it's free), and see if you can install what you need into a virtual machine. If it can be made to work then look into using VMware ESX as there is a significant performance improvement.I'm waiting for a phone call to let me know exactly what part is required. I will then go on the hunt and see what i can dig up on ebay etc.
Then i will takl to them (again) about upgrading their system to something that's mainstream supportable. The issue is that they've used the same system (or a version of it) for the last 20 odd years, so are loathe to have to relearn something.
For what it's worth, the issues seem to be hardware related. The software is no longer supported, but in effect it's a very simple system and there's no way of getting into it as it's not connected to a phone line (dark ages i told you!) so it should be ok, if a little old. The other option would be to switch over to SAGE as they bought Tetra, but having not used their systems i don't know how similar the interface is.
My colleague faced a similar problem last year, and ended up virtualising it. It wasn't straightforward, had to ghost it and play with it offline for a while but he did have some linuxy skills that were useful in getting everything working... and of course the support company will probably just laugh at you if you tell them what you've done 
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