Storage Networking , Part 1 eBook: A storage network is any network that's designed to transport block-level storage protocols. But understanding the ins and outs of networked storage takes you deep into several of protocols. This guide covers SANs, Fibre Channels, Disk Arrays, Fabric, and IP Storage. » Storage Networking 2, Configuration and Planning eBook: Picking up where Part 1 left off, Part 2 of our look at storage networking examines configurations for SAN-attached servers and disk arrays, and also includes a look at the future of IP storage. » Storage Management Costs in the Enterprise: A Comparison of Mid-Range Array Solutions Whitepaper: Many factors contribute to the ownership cost for enterprise storage. These include (but are not limited to): physical capacity relative to physical space requirements, performance capacity for data transfer and system reaction time, software maintenance and updates, expandability and flexibility, and much more. » Storage Is Changing Fast  Be Ready or Be Left Behind PDF: The storage landscape is headed for dramatic change, thanks to new technologies like Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), pNFS, object-based storage and SAS that will affect everything from NAS and SANs to disk drives. Get the knowledge you need to make the most of your storage environment, now and in the future. » HP StorageWorks EVA4400 Demo: Dont settle for an expensive and complex array that lacks functionality. The HP StorageWorks EVA4400 delivers virtual storage with enterprise class functionality at an affordable price. »

By any number of different measures, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) currently is the established leader in the North American enterprise Linux space. Unlike its cousin Fedora (which is free) or its Red Hat Linux ancestors, RHEL can sometimes have an unpalatable cost associated with it (check out this graph on current server subscription costs). Not everyone needs the excellent support offered by Red Hat for RHEL and not everyone can afford to upgrade their systems three times a years with Fedora. What's a penniless admin to do? Send in the clones.

Thanks to Red Hat's commitment to the principles of open source as well as its open source licensed software utilization, clones of RHEL are available. The clones are not deformed knockoffs of RHEL's splendor rather they are shadows of RHEL that offer most of the same packages as RHEL (without Red Hat logos and trademarks) and in at least one case also promise errata updates at a near Red Hat pace (see Figure 1).

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 was released on February 14th, CentOS issued its cloned version two weeks later on March 2nd. Since then I've been evaluating CentOS and putting it through its paces to see if it would hold up to its auspicious genetic parent. Though certainly not perfect, CentOS offers a palatable (free) option for those that want/need Enterprise grade stability without enterprise grade support or cost.

Next: Getting CentOS »