Chapter 1. Planning for SUSE Linux Enterprise

Contents

1.1. Considerations for Deployment of a SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
1.2. Deployment of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
1.3. Running SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

The implementation of an operating system either in an existing IT environment or as a completely new rollout must be carefully prepared. With SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10, get a variety of new features. It is impossible to describe all the new features here. The following is just a list of major enhancements that might be of interest.

Xen 3.0 Virtualization

Runs many virtual machines on a single server, each with its own instance of an operating system. For more information, see Chapter 23, Virtual Machine Server.

YaST

Several new configuration options have been developed for YaST. These are normally described in the chapters about the technology involved.

CIM Management with openWBEM

The Common Information Model Object Manager (CIMON) is a Web-based enterprise management utility. It provides a mature management framework. See also Chapter 9, OpenWBEM.

SPident

The management utility SPident gives an overview of the installed software base and clarifies the current service pack level of the system.

Directory Services

Several LDAP-compliant directory services are available:

  • Microsoft Active Directory

  • OpenLDAP

Novell AppArmor

Harden your System with the Novell AppArmor technology. This service is described in depth in Novell AppArmor 2.0 Administration Guide (↑Novell AppArmor 2.0 Administration Guide).

iSCSI

iSCSI provides an easy and reasonably inexpensive solution for connecting Linux computers to central storage systems. Find more information about iSCSI in Chapter 11, Mass Storage over IP Networks—iSCSI .

Network File System v4

Starting with version 10, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server supports NFS also in version 4. This gives you performance improvements, strong security, and a “stateful” protocol.

Oracle Cluster File System 2

OCFS2 is a general-purpose journaling file system that is fully integrated in the Linux 2.6 kernel and later. Find an overview of OCFS2 in Chapter 14, Oracle Cluster File System 2.

Heartbeat 2

Heartbeat 2 provides a cluster membership and messaging infrastructure. The setup of such a cluster is described in Chapter 13, Installing a Heartbeat 2 Cluster Using YaST.

Multipath I/O

Device mapping multipath IO features automatic configuration of the subsystem for a large variety of setups. See also Chapter 10, Multipath IO.

Linux Kernel Crash Dump

Debugging kernel-related problems is now much more comfortable when using Kexec and Kdump. This technology is available on x86, AMD64, Intel EM64T, and POWER platforms.

1.1. Considerations for Deployment of a SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

At the beginning of the planning process, you should try to define the project goals and needed features. This must be done individually for each project, but the questions to answer should include the following:

  • How many installations should be done? Depending on this, the best deployment method differs. See also Chapter 2, Deployment Strategies.

  • Will the system be in a hostile environment? Have a look at Chapter 50, Security and Confidentiality to get an overview of consequences.

  • How will you get regular updates? All patches are provided online for registered users. Find the registration and patch support database at http://www.novell.com/suselinuxportal.

  • Do you need help for your local installation? Novell provides training, support, and consulting for all topics around SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. Find more information about this at http://www.novell.com/products/linuxenterpriseserver/.

  • Do you need third-party products? Make sure that the required product is also supported on the desired platform. Novell can also provide help to port software to different platforms when needed.