Members of the MIT community have traditionally had two options when deciding what version of Linux to run on their computer. They can choose to run Athena and gain access to their MIT Mail, the ability to share files with the rest of the MIT community using AFS and the ability to use Zephyr for instant messaging. Alternatively, they can run an unmodified Linux distribution and gain the ability to easily customize their computer to their needs. The Student Information Processing Board is working to create a third option that strikes a balance between a custom Linux install and Athena. This project is called SIPB Debian.
SIPB Debian is an installation of Debian GNU/Linux customized for the MIT environment. As a result, you can log into a SIPB Debian machine, access Athena services while maintaining access to all the software that can be installed for Debian GNU/Linux .
MIT Information Systems provides an installer for Linux Athena, port of the Athena environment to Redhat Linux.
Athena provides a centralized environment that is the same across campus: using a Sun in a cluster is the same as using a Linux Athena machine in a dorm room. Athena machines require fairly little effort to run: they automatically update themselves as new releases become available. This makes tracking security issues and new software easy. However, Athena may not be right for everyone. In order to have a consistent environment on all Athena operating systems, Athena adopts its own mechanism for configuring the system and updating software. Users wishing to customize Athena need to learn about the Athena environment[1] in addition to learning about the operating system. Also, Athena depends on the network: user home directories are stored on fileservers along with much of the Athena software.
The following table describes some of the differences between SIPB Debian and Linux Athena.
| SIPB Debian | Linux Athena |
|---|---|
| SIPB Debian requires some familiarity with Linux administration. It might be reasonable to install SIPB Debian on a test machine if you want to learn about Linux but don't have previous experience. However if you want to get productive work done you probably need some familiarity with running your own Linux box. | Athena requires little or no effort to maintain initially; you can use your own Athena workstation just as you would a cluster workstation. If complex customizations are made to an Athena workstation, then these customizations may need to be updated as new Athena releases happen. |
| SIPB Debian uses local home directories and attempts to only use network services when the network is available. Local password entries are used so you can log in without network. This may be convenient for laptops. | Athena workstations currently require network. There is an effort to add disconnected support for Athena Linux, but until that effort concludes using Linux Athena without network is difficult. |
| Debian includes thousands of packages of free software you can install on your system. Debian has an excellent track record for upgrades; you can expect Debian packages you install to keep working when new releases of Debian are made available. | Installing software locally on an Athena machine can be difficult. Some RPMs may not work because of changes made to Athena. Building software without RPMs may require significant effort. If RPMs are used, updating to new Athena releases may be more difficult. |
| SIPB Debian provides facilities to use a good portion of Athena locker software while connected to the network. However some software depends on features of Athena that SIPB Debian does not implement. Other software may not be available for licensing reasons. | Athena provides access to a wide variety of software installed in named collections called lockers. Software includes third-party applications such as Matlab and Frame Maker as well as locally written software. As new versions of this software become available, maintainers of the lockers can make it available to all Athena users. |
SIPB Debian is in the final stages of testing; it works but has significant known problems. If you'd like to receive announcements about SIPB Debian and Linux Athena then you should add yourself to the linux-announce list by typing blanche -a username linux-announce at an Athena prompt. If you are interested in checking on progress or joining our testing effort, please visit http://web.mit.edu/sipb-debian/index.html.
For information on installing Linux Athena please visit http://web.mit.edu/is/help/linux.
| [1] | Unfortunately as of September 2002, the documentation on customizing Athena is somewhat out of date and does not yet mention Linux. |