Learning Forum

[AndyJP]

Ubuntu is the most popular linux distribution in the world.nBecause of countless problems with virus-mail, licensing, unexpected updates, and Windows 10 client management our company slowly migrates to Ubuntu. In addition, it supports simplified AD integration from the shelf, so that was the most appropriate choice for our admins.nBut Ubuntu is still not in the list of supported OSes. Neither Debian is supported, which is the base of most Linux distributions.nI understand that Ansys keeps closer to something with direct corporate by-the-call support options.nBut why wouldn't you offer just limited support in the form of DIY tools and instructions? I know there are instructions from other users, but those usually outdated and do not work on the newer distributions without hard hacking. Some general manuals maintained by Ansys would help a lot.n

[Rob]

It's back to testing, we do support various releases of Red Hat, SUSE and CentOS which are tested. Re Ubunto we'd either support it or (as of now) don't, a revision manual would be much the same as doing the recompile or testing. It's a fair question re why not Ubunto, and I'll put a ticket in. nAs you're configuring the system, how stable and controlled is Ubunto? One of the reasons for choosing a platform is that it's stable and only slightly tinkered with for a release number and that it contains the libraries we need/want. n

[AndyJP]

For me, I really prefer FreeBSD, or pure Debian... it is always a fight of components, particularly language input systems, why I was holding for windows till now. But the company decides. Probably, the popularity of the platform simplifies the support. You see, Debian is everywhere, from desktops workstations down to 1Mb console-box routers.nThen they've broken the language input in Windows10, and if it getw worse with MS, why not moving to Debian-base where it slowly gets better? In other aspects I find Ubuntu and Debians pretty stable if you don't mix too much features, and don't hack too deep inside.n

[Rob]

Short answer is we review LINUX builds, other operating systems and hardware during the development cycle to look for trends/new stuff. We also listen to client requirements, so please contact your local Ansys/Channel to register your interest in a build for Ubunto/Debian from your work email address.n

[AndyJP]

Probably I will ask the management team, who manages license purchase. That would be good to know you've improved the list.nBTW, removing Windows 7 from support list was a bad idea. Because I literally had a fight with our admin about installing Windows10 instead of windows 7, which is still forced in our network by obvious reasons. So with Ubuntu we would not have a slight misunderstanding.n

[Rob]

Win7 is no longer supported by Microsoft which will have triggered that change. Similarly some of the older LINUX and UNIX versions are removed from the list as the libraries are superseded. nRe asking your buyer to make contact, do that sooner rather than later as it's not a quick process. Also note, we listen but don't always do what is asked as there may be a better option that we're working on, or there simply isn't enough demand. n

[AndyJP]

I know about win7. But is is still better suited for workstations and corp nets than 10.n