OpenBSD Journal

Call For Donations - OpenBSD CVS and Network Systems

Contributed by jason on from the core-infrastructure-doesn't-grow-on-trees dept.

The project is in dire need of upgrades to the aging infrastructure. Due to changes in the network architecture we need two new servers to act as BGP routers (one as a hot standby). The necessary systems have been priced out at USD $1000 each. These are low-end Dell R200 servers but ideal for the task at hand.

Only slightly less urgent is a replacement CVS server. It has served the project well but it needs to be replaced. This is a very demanding task and as such, requires a much more powerful system with a better disk I/O subsystem. We are looking at a Dell PowerEdge 2950 III estimated at USD $7000.

Users and corporations that benefit from OpenBSD development (and related projects such as OpenSSH and OpenBGPD) are needed to step forward and show their financial support. Without these upgrades the project is subject to system failures (and possibly worse). Donations can be made via PayPal. Corporations can submit their donations through the OpenBSD Foundation. Questions can be directed to Marco Peereboom (marco@).

(Comments are closed)

Comments

  1. By Jacobi (64.126.23.52) on

    I recommend looking at the Sun x64 line of servers -- we find they are generally cheaper (and typically "better") than either Dell or HP systems. In other words, more bang for the buck for a given price point. I'll probably contribute, but $7k seems like a lot, which is why I mention the above.

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (208.124.37.81) on

      That is because you don't know where the money is going. Hint SAS drives are very expensive.

      Comments

      1. By Jacobi (64.126.23.52) on

        > That is because you don't know where the money is going. Hint SAS drives are very expensive.

        True, I don't know the specs of the machine. I guess my only point was that similarly spec'd machines are generally cheaper from Sun. A quick webstore comparison shows roughly $9500 Dell vs. $7500 Sun for about the same specs (2 x dual-core 3.33GHz, 4GB RAM, 8x146GB SAS, 4Gbps NICs)

        But that's your call - just wanted to bring it up.

        I'll contribute regardless, I'm sure.

        -Cheers

        Comments

        1. By Anonymous Coward (64.126.23.52) on

          > > That is because you don't know where the money is going. Hint SAS drives are very expensive.
          >
          > True, I don't know the specs of the machine. I guess my only point was that similarly spec'd machines are generally cheaper from Sun. A quick webstore comparison shows roughly $9500 Dell vs. $7500 Sun for about the same specs (2 x dual-core 3.33GHz, 4GB RAM, 8x146GB SAS, 4Gbps NICs)
          >
          > But that's your call - just wanted to bring it up.
          >
          > I'll contribute regardless, I'm sure.
          >
          > -Cheers

          that's 4 x 1Gbps NICs - I'm sure we all know what I meant :)

        2. By Anonymous Coward (208.124.37.81) on

          6x400GB SAS drives add up.

    2. By Michael Kell Jensen (cognacc) on

      > I recommend looking at the Sun x64 line of servers -- we find they are generally cheaper (and typically "better") than either Dell or HP systems. In other words, more bang for the buck for a given price point. I'll probably contribute, but $7k seems like a lot, which is why I mention the above.

      Well it ain't your home server, serving 1+2 friends. :)
      I'm think it sound pretty reasonable thinking about the amount of
      users that could be using it.

      If we have problems with the storage, we can just install OpenSolaris on them, and use ZFS ;).


      Mic

      Comments

      1. By Anonymous Coward (208.124.37.81) on

        Sun servers tend to ship with NVIDIA chipsets. Enough said.

    3. By Anonymous Coward (204.176.49.44) on

      > I recommend looking at the Sun x64 line of servers -- we find they are generally cheaper (and typically "better") than either Dell or HP systems. In other words, more bang for the buck for a given price point. I'll probably contribute, but $7k seems like a lot, which is why I mention the above.

      C'mon, this is OpenBSD. The requester is Theo or someone else who would know a lot more about what the project needs than anyone else.

  2. By Anonymous Coward (70.81.15.127) on

    Now if only a vendor like Dell or Sun would donate hardware, then that would be a win-win situation not only for them, but for everyone else, including their own current and future customer base.

    This would be giving back to one of the most affecting Open Source communities - OpenBSD (see it as you want: OpenSSH, OpenBGP, OpenOSPF, OpenSMTP, OpenCVS, CARP, etc. etc.) but OpenBSD as a whole sure does a lot for everyone, including Linux, Sun, MS, and others too!

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (84.251.129.228) on

      FWIW. There is a matching grants program currently going on at Sun.

      However, regardless of vendor, you usually do have to be in the habit of negotiating at least a bit.

  3. By Anonymous Coward (68.230.74.35) on

    Will a Dell PowerEdge SC1435 server work? I might can get my hands one.

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (143.166.226.63) on

      How do I take you up on this offer?

      Please send marco@ an email.

    2. By Magnus (24.136.247.144) magnus@yonderway.com on http://viridari.wordpress.com

      > Will a Dell PowerEdge SC1435 server work? I might can get my hands one.

      If there were a clustered filesystem behind it, it could work very well.

      It sounds like the request is for a single fast server. But speaking from experience (I run one of the biggest CVS servers in the world) there is a lot of merit to running slimmer front ends on a clustered filesystem. My own implementation of cvs is not on OpenBSD and wouldn't translate directly to OpenBSD. Without second guessing the project's intent, I can only offer to suggest that if a clustered filesystem is possible, running many cvs servers on top of it can scale exceedingly well. But it would probably cost even more money to implement in the end. The upshot is that I can take individual servers down for maintenance with ZERO interruption to the cvs service itself.

      Comments

      1. By Anonymous Coward (68.230.74.35) on

        > > Will a Dell PowerEdge SC1435 server work? I might can get my hands one.
        >
        > If there were a clustered filesystem behind it, it could work very well.
        >
        > It sounds like the request is for a single fast server. But speaking from experience (I run one of the biggest CVS servers in the world) there is a lot of merit to running slimmer front ends on a clustered filesystem. My own implementation of cvs is not on OpenBSD and wouldn't translate directly to OpenBSD. Without second guessing the project's intent, I can only offer to suggest that if a clustered filesystem is possible, running many cvs servers on top of it can scale exceedingly well. But it would probably cost even more money to implement in the end. The upshot is that I can take individual servers down for maintenance with ZERO interruption to the cvs service itself.



        True but the request is for 3 systems ( 2 PowerEdge R200 and 1 PowerEdge 2950). I think the PowerEdge SC1435 would help with one of PowerEdge R200 servers. I am working with Marco on this. I need to get approval and funds to ship it.

  4. By Anonymous Coward (131.207.242.5) on http://www.openbsd.cz

    Don't know how about Sun in Canada.But Sun has some actions when you can get server for half a price after try.


    Is it aplicable for these situations?

    Comments

    1. By Daniel Kluge (2a01:198:215:1337:21e:c2ff:fe12:bea6) dkluge@acm.org on

      > Don't know how about Sun in Canada.But Sun has some actions when you can get server for half a price after try.
      >
      >
      > Is it aplicable for these situations?

      You mean try & buy, yes that is applicable in Canada as well as far as I can tell.

      But it is only 20% on x64 Gear, and 40% on SPARC Gear (at least in Switzerland)

  5. By Bob Beck (129.128.11.43) beck@openbsd.org on

    Wanna know why we have speced what we have speced? because it works
    and works well with reliable RAID cards. and lots of us run this stuff.

    I agree 100% that I can get a better price point out of sun's amd64 stuff. and you know what happens when I put an ami raid card in sun, and
    it doesn't fit, or doesn't work? I get told by sun to piss up a rope,
    and buy their solution which we don't have driver support for. This is
    *not* me talking out my butt.. I have HAD IT HAPPEN.

    yes, we *can* build a garageatronics special that is cheaper by integrating parts from multiple vendors to get something that is
    supported. so, do you really want to do that and then potentially
    waste days of developer time for 80 to 100 talented people around the
    world when there are issues with this machine.

    cvs needs to be absolutely reliable. no bullshit. otherwise stuff
    does *not* get done. period. It's not like we're swimming in cash
    and want to piss away donated money randomly, but good god, we know where stuff absolutely has to work, and we spec it from places where we know we have working combinations in place already, rather than having
    to buy $6000 dollars worth of hardware and hope like hell it works,
    as opposed to buying $7000 dollars worth of hardware and *KNOW* it works. I'll happily take that $1000 chance for myself alone, and you
    would for yourself too.. You gonna take it for 100 other people who
    are DONATING their time and talent to the project to make things happen? That's not being responsible. that's called being ignorant.





    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (213.243.151.207) on

      I was just wondering, whether somebody in charge of these things would make a post about the things that are going to happen. Oh well, I'll donate either way, but a run down on what cool things you guys decide to run would be really nice. You know, like uhm, geek po^W^Wresearch matetial. :)

      Peace!

      Comments

      1. By Anonymous Coward (208.124.37.81) on

        You mean cool as in you'll have timely snapshots available at just about any give time? The yes! Also what might be considered cool is getting new developed code on to that machine so that you can play with. I am sure theo will also update the rack madness picture. Great things will happen :-)

    2. By Anonymous Coward (83.227.8.240) on

      Couldn't agree more. We use Dell quite a bit at work, and what can I say, OpenBSD has worked flawlessly on every model I've tried it on sofar, from 1650 to 2950 to R200 with stuff in it from plain SCSI/SATA setups all the way to their higher up branded PERC cards. It just works. Dell is an excellent choice for this. Time to donate for this very worthy cause :)

  6. By Ron Overton (98.204.134.114) roverton@gmail.com on

    I haven't used openbsd since college (switched over to freebsd) but I have a lot of respect for the project and everyone benefits from the development going on there. It's not much but it's a very good cause. Thanks for all the hard work.

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (70.81.15.127) on

      > I haven't used openbsd since college (switched over to freebsd) but I have a lot of respect for the project and everyone benefits from the development going on there. It's not much but it's a very good cause. Thanks for all the hard work.

      The good thing is that all the BSD's complement and benefit one another by means of code sharing, even though each one has different goals as does each Linux distro. Of course, OpenBSD benefits all Linux users and distros alike as well. =)

  7. By Anonymous Coward (70.81.15.127) on

    Can it be published what we're at currently? Maybe it might entice those that don't donate to at least donate a few bucks into the pot.

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (208.124.37.81) on

      We are nowhere near it; the economic downturn can be felt here too :-(

      Thank you to all donors so far!

  8. By Anonymous Coward (213.221.123.174) on

    Well I told serval known security guys/groups like packetstorm about it.

    At least one thing was named: Why isn't that call for donations at www.openbsd.org (I do not mean the Donation-Hyperlink)?

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (88.207.178.215) on

      > Well I told serval known security guys/groups like packetstorm about it.
      >
      > At least one thing was named: Why isn't that call for donations at www.openbsd.org (I do not mean the Donation-Hyperlink)?
      >
      >

      Indeed, a message on the www.openbsd.org frontpage might attract alot more people.

  9. By Banjo (212.77.163.106) on

    OK, OpenBSD has more that a few thousands users. If each one will donate 1 euro, the sum will be collected. I donated, more than 1 euro.
    Don't forget, 1 euro matters.

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (86.121.136.35) on

      You just make me to send 10 usd :). I was thinking that I can't spare 50 usd (hard times here too) but even such a small amount counts.
      Thank you.
      Keep up the good work!

      Comments

      1. By Jeff Flowers (216.199.22.142) on

        > You just make me to send 10 usd :). I was thinking that I can't spare 50 usd (hard times here too) but even such a small amount counts.
        > Thank you.
        > Keep up the good work!

        I agree, it was a good point. I don't have a lot of extra cash right now but I did send $10.00. I hope it helps.

        Comments

        1. By Anonymous Coward (143.166.226.57) on

          All bits help.

    2. By Peter J. Philipp (62.75.160.180) on http://solarscale.de

      > OK, OpenBSD has more that a few thousands users. If each one will donate 1 euro, the sum will be collected. I donated, more than 1 euro.
      > Don't forget, 1 euro matters.

      I just donated a buck fortyfive. I did some basic math and it said that there would be 4800 or so people needing to donate the same. I think
      that's achivable as I think openbsd has more or a following than 4800. This may pay for the null modem cable.

  10. By Jasper Valentijn (84.105.88.80) jasper.valentijn@gmail.com on

    $100 to the paypal@openbsd.org account.

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (82.66.6.32) on

      > $100 to the paypal@openbsd.org account.

      20€ from France.
      Keep up the good work!

      Comments

      1. By cikuraku (212.59.0.201) edvinas nfq.lt on

        > > $100 to the paypal@openbsd.org account.
        >
        > 20€ from France.
        > Keep up the good work!

        50$ from Lithuania.

        Comments

        1. By Anonymous Coward (88.112.186.188) on

          > > > $100 to the paypal@openbsd.org account.
          > >
          > > 20€ from France.
          > > Keep up the good work!
          >
          > 50$ from Lithuania.
          >

          $10 from me, keep it up guys.

    2. By Anonymous Coward (87.178.150.115) on

      $10 from Germany :-)

    3. By lepole (lepole) on

      150$ from Austria - Thanx so much for all your excellent work!

      Comments

      1. By Anonymous Coward (75.166.242.152) on

        $145.45 from Colorado. USA

  11. By Anonymous Coward (72.0.206.213) on

    $25 from Papamike IT Services

  12. By c2 (208.191.177.19) on

    My Soekris talked me out of $100 for this effort. Go forth, devs/sysops, and do great things.

    Now my Soekris wants me to port OpenBSD to the Marvel Sheevaplug. But I gotta draw the line somewhere.

  13. By gnemmi (190.177.193.141) gnemmi@gmail.com on

    Sorry to ask but I'm extremely new to OpenBSD and specially new to the donating methods ...

    I've bought some stuff from your "SECURE Web Ordering Form" a few weeks ago and I've seen there's a "Make a Donation to OpenBSD" entry in there ...

    May I make a donation to this call via the "SECURE Web Ordering Form"/"Make a Donation to OpenBSD" an be sure the donation will go to this particular call instead of using PayPal for that matter (I don't have a PayPal account and I don't want to have one).?

    Thanks for your attention and patience.
    Gonzalo Nemmi

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (92.80.18.112) on

      The money are for OpenBSD in general as a project. There's no difference between Paypal, web ordering, cheque... This is just a call for donations and the target is, now, some servers for CVS and BGP. Sure, the money will be directed to the much needed servers.
      At least this is how I see it.

  14. By Magnus (83.251.39.124) on

    $50 donated. Feels good...

  15. By Boemlauwe Bas (82.95.102.33) boemlauwe_bas@hotmail.com on http://www.baskeur.com

    50 comming from holland !

    Boss: Why ?
    Me: Didnt I saved you about 20k in sonicwall licences renewall ?
    Boss: Fair enough.
    Me: Do we *really* need 18 spare 400gb SAS drives for the HP Eva ?
    Boss: Don't push it.
    Me: :/

  16. By Kenny (76.99.180.251) on

    I passed this on to fellow employees where I work. Most expressed interest in donating, and learning more about the project. I hope it finds you well. Interested in hearing if you fall short of that goal, in which case I can surely drum up a little more support. Just hearing about the importance of supporting OpenSSH was enough to perk most of their ears up.

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (203.167.190.49) on

      > I passed this on to fellow employees where I work. Most expressed interest in donating, and learning more about the project. I hope it finds you well. Interested in hearing if you fall short of that goal, in which case I can surely drum up a little more support. Just hearing about the importance of supporting OpenSSH was enough to perk most of their ears up.

      Looks like the target has been reached:

      http://marc.info/?l=openbsd-misc&m=123603940731241&w=2

  17. By Damir Musulin (84.245.24.117) dmusulin@gmail.com on

    a 100 bucks from Holland.....
    i need one favor in return, i want to see pictures on undeadly of the new hardware stuff :D

    // offtopic
    thank god for the dollar blowout against the euro :))

    Comments

    1. By Anonymous Coward (118.92.97.61) on

      > a 100 bucks from Holland.....
      > i need one favor in return, i want to see pictures on undeadly of the new hardware stuff :D
      >
      > // offtopic
      > thank god for the dollar blowout against the euro :))

      I too would like to see pictures of the new hardware once it is installed and operating. How about putting the pics up on the main site.

      How far away are you from meeting your target? I will donate what I can if you keep us updated.

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