Linux or Windows?

[chairmanmao]

I've been running v7 for years under Win7, and have been quite happy with it. Ever since I switched to accessing the server via HD200s and HD300s I've hardly had any crashes at all.

With Sage now being open sourced, I'm thinking of upgrading to v9. If I do that I'll either build a new Windows 10 system to host Sage, or switch to Linux.

Which is the better/preferred option? I'm using Sage to record off a US cable system (Comcast) via a pair of HDHomeRun Primes, via SageDCT.

I realize SageDCT is a Windows service, but does the Linux version of Sage v9 support the Prime? If not I guess I'll stick with Windows as the OS.

[KarylFStein]

Originally Posted by chairmanmao

I've been running v7 for years under Win7, and have been quite happy with it. Ever since I switched to accessing the server via HD200s and HD300s I've hardly had any crashes at all.

With Sage now being open sourced, I'm thinking of upgrading to v9. If I do that I'll either build a new Windows 10 system to host Sage, or switch to Linux.

Which is the better/preferred option? I'm using Sage to record off a US cable system (Comcast) via a pair of HDHomeRun Primes, via SageDCT.

I realize SageDCT is a Windows service, but does the Linux version of Sage v9 support the Prime? If not I guess I'll stick with Windows as the OS.

I would say your best bet is to go with Linux. Most of the developers seem to use it and there are some scripts/detailed instructions for installation. You may use OpenDCT (Linux or Windows) for your Primes. I personally run Windows 10 on my server, but that's just my preference.

[mechling-burgh]

I have played with the linux version and runs very well. The biggest thing I think is to be sure your tuners will work. That said the reason I went back to windows is lack of ability to have the linux server sleep then wake up to record. i like to put my server to sleep since its off more than on. With linux thou you can have a much larger java heap than in windows so it depends on what is more important to you.

[ThePaladinTech]

But comskip is still just windows right?

[brandypuff]

I prefer Windows. Been testing the Open sourced v9 release for a few weeks and haven't had any issue. Of course, i have a whole tools, apps, scripts, utilities infrastructure built around windows so see no reason to change to a new platform when it's ben solid for 8 years.

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by ThePaladinTech

But comskip is still just windows right?

The comskip plugin works on linux. I've been running it for years.

[Fuzzy]

I'd say the biggest reason to go to Linux is to run the server in 64-bit, so you have much more memory for it to work with. I'd say the best reason to go with Windows would be if you plan on using it for other windows based things, or if you are going to use it as a client also (which is leagues better on windows).

[chairmanmao]

Thanx, everyone, for the info. Very helpful!

The only thing I run on this particular system is the server end of Sage (i.e., I never use the client interface on it). Moving to a platform with greater memory is a strong argument for linux.

But it sounds like I may run into some sleep/wake issues. I have a NAS4Free box, which is based on BSD, and getting it to sleep is a bit Rube Goldberg (there's a crond script which monitors ethernet packet counts, and does a shutdown when the number is below a certain threshold).

What experience/recommendations do linux users have on getting their Sage servers to sleep when not in use?

[SageWizdom]

Since I haven't seen anyone ask this, how comfortable you are with Linux vs Windows. I'm hopeful that at some point SageTV can be appliance level (install and forget), but its definitely not right now. If you're not a huge Linux user you might get frustrated at some of the troubleshooting.

As noted above, I think there are definite benefits to the Linux build, but if it makes you crazy I think those benefits are quickly outweighed by the experience and comfort.

[chairmanmao]

I'm pretty comfortable with linux. I ran my own linux-based firewall/NAT/email server for years before routers got smart enough and cheap enough and fast enough for home use. I do a fair amount of work on several Raspberry Pis, too.

But maybe the best metric is that I'm always typing 'ls' in Windows command prompts when I mean 'dir'

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by chairmanmao

I'm pretty comfortable with linux. I ran my own linux-based firewall/NAT/email server for years before routers got smart enough and cheap enough and fast enough for home use. I do a fair amount of work on several Raspberry Pis, too.

But maybe the best metric is that I'm always typing 'ls' in Windows command prompts when I mean 'dir'

Maybe the best metric is that you use the command prompt at all