[ILUG] Out of control Linux Install Charges - And bandwith and everything IT related in this country,

[Paul Mc Auley]

On Wednesday 23 August 2006 20:18, AJ McKee wrote:

> I recently had need to enquire on behalf of a client, if one of the
> services provided by a Dublin based data centre was an install
> service. The client needed Cent OS installed on a brand new Dell
> server. Nothing special about it, some custom partition work, but
> apart from that, nothing apart from a base operating system with
> networking is required.

> The quote I can't reveal, however I can say is was only a few
> multiples of 10 euro short of 1000  Euro.

> Now maybe I am out of touch with data centres and their operations. Or
> maybe Linux installers have taken a step backward (This I kow to be
> untrue, I have installed it countless times), but I cannot see the
> justification for such an extreme charge. I won't name the
> organisation involved, they are entitled to charge as they like,
> however I can't be but bemused at how much this could have cost a
> client.

I'm reading this and I'm wondering if I'm missing a key point with this.
To my mind the installation of the ServerCD install of CentOS is a pretty 
straightforward process, install and configure, update online and install 
any additional options. By comparison the physical server install can be a 
real pain for some of the poweredge models.

The other gotcha is any charges associated with getting shut of the packing 
waste.

With all that in mind I'm not seeing where the bulk of a grand is going. 
Either there was a whole lot of professional services tied up in there or 
some unusual charges (a special cable run?). Or else it's a "don't want to 
do it charge" where they kite the figure so you'll do it yourself or go to 
a hoster rather than a DC for the business.

I suppose the most telling question would be "was it that just for the OS 
install and if not was there a line item for the OS install?
	Paul