If you are running your Oracle Application Server on Linux, you are probably using Red Hat's Advanced Server 2.1 or 3 or United Linux 1.0.  Both version come with a hefty price tag.  And most Application Server administrator's will tell you that the primary reason that an installation fails is that the OS is not properly configured.  Now you may have some options available.

Red Hat Clones

 There are now an number of clones of Red Hat Advanced Server available on the internet for free.  One is the White Box Enterprise Linux.  

www.whiteboxlinux.org

White Box Enterprise Linux was derived from the open source Red Hat code for Advanced Server version 3 and can use Red Hat's update rpms.  

Installing the Oracle 10g Database on White Box Linux was the same as installing it on Red Hat AS 3.  

64bit Linux

Those of use that are looking at the low cost 64 bit x86 systems have found that only the most expensive versions of Red Hat and United Linux are available in 64 bit versions.  Both Fedora (the new Red Hat type free distro) and White Box are readying a release of 64 bit Linux versions.  This will allow your home server to enter the realm of the "big iron"

More Options

The Red Hat Linux clones will help you get a system up and running without the cost of an commercial license for Advanced Server.  There are other Red Hat clones out there.

Tao Linux  http://www.taolinux.org
CentOS     http://www.caosity.org

I have not had a chance to test these clones it is on my task list as my Red Hat updates run out.

However,  Oracle will only support the Red Hat Linux (2.1 and 3) and united Linux 1.0 installations.  You will want to get a support version of Linux before placing the server in production.

Learn more about the Oracle Application Server 10g in Oracle Application Server 10g Administration Handbook by Oracle Press. In Book Stores Now!

Need Oracle App Server Support?

I'm now offering personal app server mentoring for Oracle DBAs who must quickly learn the intricate details of Oracle9iAS.  You can have an Oracle expert right at your fingertips, anytime day or night.

We work with dozens of App Server Oracle databases every year, so we know exactly how to quickly assist you with any Oracle9iAS or Oracle Application Server 10g question. 

Call 800-766-1884 for a custom evaluation.

Regards,

John Garmany

John Garmany
Burleson Oracle Consulting

Kittrell, NC, USA, 27544
www.dba-oracle.com
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