I'd say that if you are very new to linux but are really good with PC's and OS's, the initial setup time is pretty close. If you are already familiar with Linux, then the setup time would be much lower. I installed the Linux OS from scratch, installed and configured Postfix with SpamAssassin, and had it running for about 200 users in about the 60 hours mentioned. I had very little Linux experience at the time, so I had to learn Linux, Postfix, and SpamAssassin. I didn't become an expert in those 60 hours, but learned enough to get a production machine up and running. Initially, I watched things like a hawk, probably spending 2 hours a day or more for the first couple weeks. This has declined significantly over the last few months since the implementation. I now only check it once every few days, if that.
I could probably have a replacement system up and running in as little as 4-6 hours now that I am more familiar with Linux and each of the packages. I don't know where the downtime comes from. I currently have over 90 days of uptime, and I only restart Postfix maybe once every other week if I add some more spammers to the access list or tweak my header or subject checks. Updating SpamAssassin takes about 10-15 minutes tops on the 2 updates I have done so far. I have not been required to update Postfix yet. The AV is once every 6 months or so, and the virus updates are automatic, as are the RBL's except for a few manual entries for the truly egregious spammers. Last month we deleted or tagged over 46,700 spam. At 10 seconds per spam (CNN did a study), it saves the company over 130 man-hours and $3,000 in lost productivity per month. And we did this with an old Dell Optiplex GX1 P-III/550. Not bad. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen Bannasch" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2003 7:21 AM Subject: [SAtalk] how much work to install and maintain > I have a question for the group. How much work is it to install and maintain a mailhost integrated with spam assassin for a company of about 40 employees. We have experience with sendmail and linux. > > My IT guy gives the following estimate. He's comparing this with the administrative cost for installing and running PureMessage. > > >-- Time estimates for an open source solution: > > -- 60+ hours to setup and test sendmail/anti-virus/RBL/anti-spam > >software from source. > > -- 8 hours every month to verify that things are working and up to date > > -- 8 hours every month to upgrade software (sendmail/RBL/virus/spam, all > >different) > > -- 8 hours of down time every month while working and testing > > > -- > > -- Stephen Bannasch > Director of Technology, Concord Consortium > 10 Concord Crossing, Suite 300, Concord, MA 01742 > direct: 978 371 3477, fax: 978 371 0696, main: 978 369 4367 > http://www.concord.org mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > ------------------------------------------------------- > This SF.Net email is sponsored by: INetU > Attention Web Developers & Consultants: Become An INetU Hosting Partner. > Refer Dedicated Servers. We Manage Them. You Get 10% Monthly Commission! > INetU Dedicated Managed Hosting http://www.inetu.net/partner/index.php > _______________________________________________ > Spamassassin-talk mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/spamassassin-talk ------------------------------------------------------- This SF.Net email is sponsored by: INetU Attention Web Developers & Consultants: Become An INetU Hosting Partner. Refer Dedicated Servers. We Manage Them. You Get 10% Monthly Commission! INetU Dedicated Managed Hosting http://www.inetu.net/partner/index.php _______________________________________________ Spamassassin-talk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/spamassassin-talk
