> - Do you think we should operate a distribution mirror? Would you use it?
This was actually the original reason John and I built the UMLUG server. We wanted local Gentoo rsync (among other distro support services) and to provide a platform for UMD undergrad software projects. > - Should we mirror just CD/DVD images or also host package archives? (This > means a lot of space, but we have it.) We gave this a lot of thought. The problem is that even though you currently have ~900 GB of storage space, that will still only support packages for the latest version of a handful of distros. You also won't have space for anything else. You could probably get away with supporting the latest version of 2 or 3 distros and let members vote on which to support. On the bright side, the storage array is on its own raid controller (a 3ware 9650SE-4LPML.) You could replace the drives with 1 TB versions for ~3 TB of space. Everything is hot swappable so you don't even need to take it offline and since the system is on its own controller (a 3ware 8000 series raid card) you won't have to rebuild the system from the ground up. :-) > - What distributions, if any, should the mirror have? (The business school > already mirrors CentOS.) Another reason we built the server. It blows my mind that the business school supports linux but not the cs department. > - Should this mirror be accessible from off the campus (with restrictions, > such as only allowing UMD users, and depending on the university's OK)? I think mirrors of distro packages should be publicly accessible but OIT doesn't charge us for bandwidth. I have no idea if that will be an issue or not. -Bernie
