Re: RANT: Why Sun is losing to Linux

In article <emja5v$q9s$1$830fa79d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Tim Bradshaw <tfb@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

On 2006-12-22 23:16:12 +0000, Josh McKee <jtmckee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> said:

I understand that the service mode is a special mode which could result
in damage to the system. But there needs to be a non-destructive way to
remove components from the CHS without requiring a sun service contract.

I can see this cutting a different way. Lets say Sun allow
unrestricted access to this stuff. Then here's what happens. Critical
database machine at large company starts complaining about components
and disabling them. Large corporation inevitably has layer of
mediocre-at-best middle management, who have saved money by not having
a support contract. Sysadmins ask fool middle manager what to do: "Oh,
can't we downgrade to a version of the firmware that doesn't whine
about this issue? or just forcibly mark the components good?".

The reason for the version downgrade was not to use a version that
doesn't "whine" about the component. The reason for the downgrade is
that version 5.12 was the last version which does not have the service
mode for which I do not have the password. Therefore I have full control
over my system.

This isn't about trying to get a bad piece of hardware to work. It's
about trying to get the replacement for said piece of hardware to work.

Sysadmins take break from searching for new job to downgrade firmware
and mark components good. A month later the error which the older
firmware is not detecting mashes their database. Sysadmins lose job,
middle manager moves on to *** up some other company. Sun blamed for
failure.

Or, as is the reason for my having started this thread, they will look
to alternatives which don't require payment to the vendor in order to
enable full system functionality after having replaced faulty hardware.

If Sun is going to require me to purchase a service contract or pay
hourly to obtain this password you can bet that said money will instead
be applied towards a non-Sun system. Sun probably won't care about my
isolated case. Hence the reason Linux is encroaching on Suns territory.
Hence the reason for my having started this thread.

Josh
.

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