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Oxide Computer: Docs

docs.oxide.computer

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Re: Oxide Computer: Docs

#61

Post by rtpg »

solarkraft wrote: post #29

Finally I actually understand what they're building. Now I must ask: Why? On-prem servers aren't a new invention. The market seems pretty saturated (and shrinking). Virtualization isn't a new invention either. The market seems pretty well served, at least commercially. Can the integration of both be a convincing enough advantage? The management UI certainly looks nice; it's something I'd like to have on my KVM box at…

The short answer is that on-prem is used by a lot of companies for many reasons that go beyond "legacy/people don't know about cloud" (and even go beyond "regulatory environments"!), and these boxes are meant for people who have serious requirements.

I'd recommend the O+F ep posted in sibling, but I think here the pitch is "well you need this hardware anyways right? How about buying one that's easy to use and doesn't take a month to get working?" All built by people who are so obsessed with root cause analysis that they've ended up writing their own firmware, running on an OS where these people are common contributors.

Re: Oxide Computer: Docs

#62

Post by wmf »

mwcampbell wrote: post #60

I'm a little surprised that, according to the docs, "the Oxide rack does not come with any preloaded machine images" [1]. But I guess it makes sense that the initial, early-adopter customers wouldn't have a problem with rolling their own VM images. I'm at least glad that Oxide didn't decide to start by only allowing VMs that use a pre-defined set of pre-made images in some custom format. [1]: https://docs.oxide.compu…

The preloaded images would all be Solaris anyway. ;-)

Re: Oxide Computer: Docs

#63

Post by sjdmdlakziggy »

tiffanyh wrote: post #27
dist1ll wrote: post #5

As someone who's only dealt with commodity server hardware, these specs make me salivate. And all these boot/management TUIs are just so satisfying to look at. (Sorry to be that guy, but just a friendly suggestion: high contrast dark themes are difficult to read for people with astigmatism. Especially since this is technical documentation, intended to be thoroughly read, you might want to consider a light theme toggl…

> As someone who's only dealt with commodity server hardware, these specs make me salivate Commodity servers have the same specs. Here’s a reseller of SuperMicro servers, where you can buy similar compute on the cheap. https://www.siliconmechanics.com/systems/servers/rackform

They are not even close to the same specs.

Re: Oxide Computer: Docs

#64

Post by newsclues »

soneil wrote: post #44
EvanAnderson wrote: post #10

Everything about Oxide's gear sounds like fun. I imagine it must be a bit like what working with minicomputers in 70s thru the 90s was like. I did a little work in the late 90s with Alpha-based machines. I was impressed at those machines didn't seem like the hack-job crap that PC-based stuff was (with simulated chips from the early 1980's hiding out in dark corners because "compatibility") and still is today. I'm bet…

I really wish they'd do a tour of it, hardware & software. They've gotta be proud as hell of what they've pulled off, it boggles my mind that they're not more eager to show it off.

They need to get Linus Tech Tips to do a video on the machines and people of Oxide.

Re: Oxide Computer: Docs

#65

Post by newsclues »

azinman2 wrote: post #18
goalonetwo wrote: post #16

Oxide is an HN darling. I have never seen anything even close to negative about them here. I hope someone writes a case-study about this. It seems to be a mix of the charisma of the team/founders and their product that makes everyone love them. I would put Wireguard/Tailscale in the same category as well.

But are people buying their machines?

Given they shipped their first machine, it seems so.

Re: Oxide Computer: Docs

#66

Post by wmf »

newsclues wrote: post #64
soneil wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really wish they'd do a tour of it, hardware & software. They've gotta be proud as hell of what they've pulled off, it boggles my mind that they're not more eager to show it off.

They need to get Linus Tech Tips to do a video on the machines and people of Oxide.

And then void the warranty by water cooling it.

Re: Oxide Computer: Docs

#68

Post by owenmarshall »

goalonetwo wrote: post #16

Oxide is an HN darling. I have never seen anything even close to negative about them here. I hope someone writes a case-study about this. It seems to be a mix of the charisma of the team/founders and their product that makes everyone love them. I would put Wireguard/Tailscale in the same category as well.

> I would put Wireguard/Tailscale in the same category as well.

Sometimes the hype exists for a good reason - as a paying enterprise Tailscale customer, I’ll fight you if you ever suggest I have to staff people to admin an IPsec or SSL-based VPN again.

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