Nancy, Marist College has disabled FTP access on all their systems for security reasons. You can only download the files you want via HTTP, so you'll probably have to do that on your PC and transfer the files anyway.
You don't reference a publication number for "Linux for S/390 Installation, Configuration, and Use" and it doesn't sound familiar to me. The definitive (grin) book on this would be "Linux for zSeries and S/390: Distributions, SG24-6264-00," available at http://publib-b.boulder.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg246264.html. It covers the installation of the Marist file system in great detail. But, as you've discovered, some things have changed since it was written, so keep in mind the no-FTP restriction. The Marist file system is somewhat dated, but it's useful for kicking the tires, so to speak. There should be an updated version coming out before too long (if I can get Harry and Mike to answer my emails). If you're interested in do some alpha testing, let me know off list. There are two main commercial distributions available, and three free ones. The commercial ones are SUSE, and Red Hat (I need to remove Turbolinux from the main web page). Both of them are quite current in terms of software levels. You may or may not have a problem getting an evaluation copy from them at a price you can afford. If you go that route, I would be interested in hearing about your experiences. The free Linux/390 distributions are the Marist file system, Debian, and ThinkBlue. ThinkBlue is kind of dated as well, but should work. Debian is pretty current (if you go past the "stable" packages), but the "stable" flavor should be exactly that, stable. There are a number of differences between SUSE and Red Hat. Some package selections, some software levels, etc. I would recommend looking closely at support options, versus maintenance costs, etc., etc. That's where the bigger differences are going to show up, I believe. Your MP3K should work fine for your testing. If it's very heavily loaded performance for your Linux/390 workload may not be acceptable. If you can get approval, you'll want to upgrade your system to z/VM 4.4. That will get you a lot of very nice features such as Guest LANs, Virtual Switches, etc. Mark Post -----Original Message----- From: Nancy Reeves [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 3:11 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: First time Linux install I am preparing to install Linux on VM for the first time and have a few questions. I found the document "Building Linux/390 Under VM/ESA Using Minidisks and IUCV TCPIP" on the linuxvm.org site. It suggests ftp'ing directly to linux390.marist.edu instead of downloading to my pc from the web then ftp'ing from there to my vm account. However, the ftp connection was refused. Is ftp still available on linux390.marist.edu? I have started reading the IBM manual "Linux for S/390 Installation, Configuration, and Use". I have the 6th edition, dated May 2000. Is that the most current? Is there a better manual to read first? I don't want to start a religious argument, but can someone summarize for me the advantages and disadvantages, or just the differences, between the different distributions? If it matters, I have plenty of VM sysprog experience, a small amount of aix admin experience, my VM is VM/ESA 2.4.0 (for now), and my hardware is a Multiprise 3000 H50. Thanks! Nancy Reeves Technical Support, Wichita State University [EMAIL PROTECTED] 316-978-3860
