an open source case study
TRANSCRIPT
An Open Source Case Study
Determining if open source is right for you
Presented by:
Jason Dearborn
Overview
• What is Open Source
• Case Study of San Francisco Performing Arts Library & Museum
• Strengths & Weaknesses
• Decision Making Process
• Q & A
What is Open Source Software (OSS)?
Definition: Open Source is a term used to describe software freely distributed with full source code included. Open Source software must comply with the 9 guidelines laid out by the Open Source Initiative (OSI).
OSI Guidelines• Free Redistribution
– The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the software as a component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs from several different sources. The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale.
• Source Code– The program must include source code, and must
allow distribution in source code as well as compiled form.
Open Source Licensing• General Public License (GPL)
– Gives you the right to copy, modify, and change the source code.
– Restriction: Any derivative works must also carry the GPL license
– Copyleft
• Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD)– Allows licensee to take any modifications to the source code
private.
– Restriction: You must give credit to original copyright holder.
– Non-Copyleft
Open Source Licensing
• There are many Open Source Licenses. Most are derivatives of either the GPL or BSD.
– Academic Free License
– Artistic License
– Apple Public Source License
– Common Public License
– LGPL, etc
Open Source Licensing
Less restrictive licensing has allowed anyone with a computer to access powerful computing and networking tools. Anyone with the desire and aptitude can gain hands-on experience with technology such as databases, clustering, TCP/IP packet manipulation, and application development.
What is Open Source Software (OSS)?
It’s almost as though the village blacksmiths of the world can now build axles in their backyards, assemble them together and compete with General Motors.
Paul Maritz, Microsoft
More information:
• Berkman Center's Openlaw Report on Open Source Software Licensing
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/openlaw/gpl.pdf
• Open Source License Law Resource Center
http://www.denniskennedy.com/opensourcelaw.htm
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Cas
e S
tudy
Case Study: SFPALM Mission
• SFPALM is a non-profit library and museum whose mission is to preserve and make available to the public materials documenting the performing arts in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Case Study: Needs• Provide basic network infrastructure to
employees.
– File & Print sharing
– Remote Access
• Host SFPALM.ORG website.
• Host Cuadra STAR library database.
Case Study: Situation
• Windows 2000 Small Business Server– Inter-office email
– File & Print
– VPN
– Firewall
• Windows NT 4 Server– Cuadra STAR database
• Website and internet email hosted by InternetConnect. (now Covad)
Case Study: Issues
1. Windows 2000 SBS server is unlicensed.
2. Firewall installed on file & print server.
3. Unnecessary outsourcing of web and email hosting.
Case Study: Plan of Action
• Get SFPALM legal. (Businesses can be fined up to $150,000 per copy of unlicensed software)
• Firewall should be standalone device.
• Save money by bring web and mail hosting in-house.
Case Study: OptionsUnlicensed Server
1. Purchase Software License
a. SFPALM did not have the funding necessary.
b. They were also unable to secure a technology grant.
2. Migrate server to Linux
Case Study: Internal Services• Operating System: RedHat Linux 8.0
– Commercially supported
– Well documented
– Most Popular Distribution
Case Study: Internal Services• File & Print: SAMBA
– Provides seamless file and print services to Windows clients.
– Faster file serving then Windows 2000/2003– Samba 3 (still in beta) will support Active Directory
Case Study: Firewall Solution
• VPN / Firewall: Astaro Security Linux
– Easy to configure and manage
– Commercial support and documentation
– Enterprise class firewall and remote access solution at non-profit prices.
– Runs on low-end hardware • 400 MHz CPU, 128 MB RAM, 8 GB HDD
Case Study: External Services• RedHat Linux 8.0
• Email: qMail
– Secure
– Reliable
– Simple
Case Study: External Services• Web Hosting: Apache
– most popular web server on the Internet since April of 1996
– Fast
– Secure
– Stable
Case Study: Other Solutions
• Cuadra STAR: Maintain legacy Windows NT4 server.– Once funds are available, SFPALM plans to
upgrade to the latest version of STAR which runs on RedHat Linux.
Case Study: Results
Total Savings: $2800
Strengths & Weaknesses of Open Source Software
(and Linux)
Strengths• Less Expensive
• Security
– Open source means more eyes to catch the bugs
– Linux is the industry leader in defensive design
– Linux is less vulnerable to MS-centric worms and viruses.
• Stability
– Linux is famous for not crashing
– Thousands of potential contributing developers allow software to mature faster.
Strengths• Less administration required
– Companies with a Linux (or Unix) infrastructure report better administrator:server ratios then those with proprietary solutions.
• Open Formats and Standards
• No vendor lock-in
Strengths• Minimal hardware requirements
– RedHat 9 (Text Mode)• Pentium-class CPU
• 500mb HDD
• 64 MB RAM
– Favored in developing nations or poor communities• Helping to bridge the digital divide
Weaknesses
• Can be difficult to deploy.
• Users / Technical staff may be more familiar with proprietary solutions.
• Lock-out from certain popular proprietary apps.
Determining if OSS is right for you.
• Perform a technology needs assessment.
– What do you wish to accomplish?
– Identify your resources
• Capacity to acquire funds
• Hardware
• Knowledge assets
– Resource: Technology Planning Tools http://www.npowerseattle.org/tools/techplanning.htm
Determining if OSS is right for you.
• How does OSS fit into your long range technology plan?
– Heterogeneous network environments are more difficult to administer.
Determining if OSS is right for you.
• Research which OSS tools are necessary to meet your need.
• Research comparable proprietary tools.
• Compare TCO of OSS vs. proprietary solution for your project.
Determining if OSS is right for you
TCO includes:– Procurement
– Hardware or network infrastructure upgrades
– Deployment/Migration Time and Labor
– Technical support costs
– Administrative costs
– Training costs
Determining if OSS is right for you.
Determining if OSS is right for you
Reconciling all of these elements to identify either operating system as the one that offers lower TCO for all situations is impossible. Linux offers a lower TCO in some situations -- a lot lower, according to Aberdeen Group analyst Bill Claybrook. Yet, in other scenarios, Microsoft is a more cost-effective option, he noted.
The final answer "depends on what you want to do with it," Claybrook told NewsFactor.
Windows vs. Linux: TCO Feud Rages On
www.newsfactor.com
Q & A
For more information or a copy of this presentation, visit the Eris IT Website.
www.erisit.com