SCO version 2 and Y2K? Trying to setup Linux instead!

[kennamis]

I am a new admin for a data research company. We have two OLD SCO unix boxes that cannot upgrade OS or BIOS!?! The problem is that they decided for Y2K to roll the clock back to 1972 (because 72 is structurally the same as 2000, but you knew that). I don't think it will work as well as they might want. What I would like to do is copy the essential programs that they use (The unix boxes are PAD (Predicitive AutoDialers and are used for dbase collection and updates). The problem then arises that everytime a record is written to a dbase (saved as txt) I have to export to Access, then change all the 1972 to 2000 and when I import back to unix I have to change the dates back to 1972! It works however, I am very frustrated that a compny couldn't spend a few grand and correct this problem better. Now the responsibility to ensure that these servers (which make about 3000 bucks an hour) work properly through out the new Year. <br>

I would like to setup a linux server, install the T1s (thats another problem), move the apps(Im not sure that they have any of the original disks) over and hope I can interface all the Wyse 60 terminals to the server and pray it works. Is there a way to copy everything over except the OS. It seems like alot of work, but I would feel much better once it was setup. Do you know anyone who could help? Maybe the option would be to use new PAD apps. Do you know of any? I'm sorry to pile all these questions and I don't expect an answer, but so far newsgroups(do know of a good site that might have some I may have missed?)? I have been trying to think of ways to better integrate our anal NT servers with these UNIX machines to better incorporate the data.

 

[AndyBo]

Looks like you've got a few probs, here:<br>
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1) Will my apps work?<br>
2) Will my comms hardware work?<br>
3) Will Linux work on my hardware?<br>
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I'm gonna take the easy one first - Will Linux work on my hardware? And this might decide the answers to the other two. Well, the answer is likely to be &quot;Without a doubt. No problem.&quot; However, you say that the BIOS can't be upgraded on these ancient servers, so you're gonna be screwed, anyway. Sorry. Gonna have to get new kit.<br>
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If they're making 3K per hour, then they're gonna have to lose a few hours turnover per server. And if they don't do that, then they're gonna lose business when the servers go down, and then these boxes are no longer making 3K per hour...<br>
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So, assuming you can persuade these people to buy new kit, the &quot;easy&quot; answer is gonna be, buy new boxes and install UnixWare 7 on 'em. (Oh, the sacrilege!) But you know you're gonna have a fair chance of the hardware still working, and a better than fair chance that the software is still going to work.<br>
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This is the only way I can see of getting things working. You're lowest level problem is hardware, and no matter what you put on that hardware, it's going to break.<br>
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If management don't believe you, print this off and show it to them as a second opinion.<br>
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Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is probably the reason why nobody else has replied so far <br>
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Good luck!