StartCom Enterprise Linux 4.0.5 Available

StartCom launched the updated release for the legacy AS-4.0.x series of StartCom Enterprise Linux.

StartCom provides long-term support for its enterprise-class operating systems. It is fully based on open source technology, offering a stable, reliable and secure distribution with mission-critical server deployments.

This sixth update comes with additionally supported and updated drivers, a new kernel (2.6.9-67), updated Samba, mirrored root support for Logical Volume Management and updated GNU Compiler Collection. Also, AS-4.0.5 supports the Xen hypervisor which allows the user to run multiple virtualized server instances on the hardware.

The new version of Samba is 3.0.25b, which addresses some critical issues related to interoperability with Windows 2003 and Vista. If you have an older version, you will need to change the configurations under certain circumstances when upgrading to the new version because some directives got deprecated or changed.

The kernel is equipped with new and updated drivers, an updated CIFS client (version 1.48) and back ported NFS performance metrics from the 2.6.17-rc6 kernel version.

The desktop applications that come with AS-4.0.5 turn this Linux distribution into an excellent choice for client and development workstations. Firefox, OpenOffice and some development tools are provided already during installation. Evolution mail client was updated to version 2.8 and provides more effective integration in mixed environments.

StartCom Enterprise Linux AS-4.0.5 (codename "Barak") is available for both i386 and AMD x86_64 architectures. To install StartCom, you will need at least 10 GB free space. It comes in two flavors, on CD ISOs and DVD ISOs. The installation is very quick and easy, presenting you a nice StartCom EL custom made GRUB splash and some options. The installer used is Anaconda, ported from Red Hat, with a few modifications.