Re: Can we build a proper email cluster? (was: Re: Why is debian.org email so unreliable?)

[Arnt Karlsen <arnt@c2i.net>]

On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 18:41:06 +1000, Russell wrote in message 
<[🔎] 200410151841.06811.russell@coker.com.au>:

> On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 03:19, Arnt Karlsen <arnt@c2i.net> wrote:
> > > Increasing the number of machines increases the probability of one
> > > machine failing for any given time period.  Also it makes it more
> > > difficult to debug problems as you can't always be certain of
> > > which machine was involved.
> >
> > ..very true, even for aero engines.  The reason the airlines like
> > 2, 3 or even 4 rather than one jet.
> 
> You seem to have entirely misunderstood what I wrote.

..really?   Compare with your average automobile accident and
see who has the more adequate safety philosophy.

> Having four engines on a jet rather than two or three should not be
> expected to give any increase in reliability.  Having two instead of
> one (and having two fuel tanks etc) does provide a significant
> benefit.

..common belief among pilots is 25% power loss is a fair bit less likely
to put you in the drink than 50%, however airliners won't ever hang up
in midair for 5 days, unless we return to Zeppeliners.  ;-)

> Finally consider that one of the main causes of server unreliability
> is mistakes made during system maintenance.  Increase the amount of
> work involved in running the systems and you increase the chance of
> problems.
 
..proven true in aviation too.  ;-)  Accepting this safety philosophy in
aviation, is IMNTHO a flaw best shown in how safety problems are
"fixed" with security measures; has anyone here worn a chute in an
airliner?  ;-)

..@d.o, "2 boxes watching each other" or some such, will give 
that "Ok, I'll have a look some time next week" peace of mind, 
and we don't need symmetric power here, one big and one or 
more small ones will do fine, and d.o does have Zeppeliner loiter
endurance if we manage to cook the new big iron.

-- 
..med vennlig hilsen = with Kind Regards from Arnt... ;-)
...with a number of polar bear hunters in his ancestry...
  Scenarios always come in sets of three: 
  best case, worst case, and just in case.