From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Sat Mar 6 13:56:40 2004 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 8BD2016A4CE for ; Sat, 6 Mar 2004 13:56:40 -0800 (PST) Received: from fed1mtao05.cox.net (fed1mtao05.cox.net [68.6.19.126]) by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 11C5443D31 for ; Sat, 6 Mar 2004 13:56:38 -0800 (PST) (envelope-from brently@bjwcs.com) Received: from SAMBA ([68.231.19.60]) by fed1mtao05.cox.net (InterMail vM.5.01.06.08 201-253-122-130-108-20031117) with ESMTP id <20040306215636.TVXG8957.fed1mtao05.cox.net@SAMBA> for ; Sat, 6 Mar 2004 16:56:36 -0500 From: "Brent Wiese" To: Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2004 14:56:34 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook, Build 11.0.5510 thread-index: AcQDxZpZtaVa2HD3SD6iyt43EZo0Sw== X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 Message-Id: <20040306215636.TVXG8957.fed1mtao05.cox.net@SAMBA> Subject: 4.9 vs 5.2 with consideration of support for SMP, hyperthread, and 3ware X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2004 21:56:40 -0000 I know I've seen the 4.9 vs 5.2 debate go on a lot, but usually without discussing the exact usage and maturity of certain drivers. I am building a server that has 2 XEON hyperthreaded CPUs. It will have 2 3Ware 7500-series controllers and disks most likely in RAID10 (still debating that choice, but its for another thread). While this server will be used in production, it is understood by the client that we're not offering "5 nines" (due to the nature of the situation, not the o/s). With that being said, I'm not looking for the "run 4.9 because it's the latest stable branch". I also do not want to be on the bleeding edge as far as 5.2 would be concerned. I'd probably pick the latest production release and stick to that. I don't want to spend all my time cvsup'ing sources and buildworld'ing (especially given the probability I'll be duplicating this config another 3 times). What I'm looking for is experience and/or opinion on 4.9/5.2 in regards to better support, speed (where applicable), and stability in regards to HyperThreading (it won't pain me to not use hyperthreading, but if I can, might as well), 3ware controllers, and SMP. Also, if anyone has experience or opinion about benefits of one or the other on Apache and PHP, that is also welcome. Anything special someone has done to get better use of multi-cpu in regards to those programs, etc. Thanks in advance! Brent