SME 6 Hardware Compatibility List
SME Server v 6 is based upon Red Hat Linux 7.3, and is therefore compatible with any hardware that RH 7.3 can use. See below for the Red Hat web site HCL Search page, and some tips for using it.
Red Hat Linux HCL Search Page
<?plugin FrameContribs src=http://hardware.redhat.com/hcl/?pagename=hcl&view=advsearch#navmap height=600 width=95% frameborder=0 scrolling=yes ?>
Checking for compatible hardware
Red Hat's HCL Search page is an important and necessary companion to their software. However, it can be frustrating to use it: typically multiple searches are required, especially for hardware that is not compatible with Red Hat Linux. If you seem to be getting nowhere, you might want to try the following tips.
Simplify
First of all, simplify. SME server does not need the latest display card, sound cards, etc. With recent hardware, it doesn't need a keyboard, mouse, or display at all, once the install is done. If it's not necessary, save it for something else, and save yourself some headaches. Typically, the RH HCL Search page is used because you find yourself with a SCSI or SATA card and associated hard discs or tape drives, or the odd network device.
Check the hardware
If you have access to the hardware, or documentation (yeah, sure ;-) write down every word or number you can find, including chip names and numbers. Google on all of them. Make sure to look, at least, at the first 3 or 4 pages of returns. Most of them will likely be posts from poor souls, just like you, trying to see if this hardware will work with "X". The threads may contain the answer you want. The information you're looking for is: the manufacturer's company name; the 'make'; and model of the hardware (example, XYZ Corp, Juniper series, Juniper 6000 Pro SCSI Controller). You may be able to find this info for the chip(s) on the card or device, as opposed to the item itself.
Search Contribs,org
You might try searching this site with the same information, or what you find in Google. Someone may have figured it out already. If you get a lot of returns, try going way "back in time" to see if it came up years ago - a hint that it might have been addressed at some point.
Search the Red Hat HCL
1 - If you got the make and model info try a few "Quick Searches" with various combinations or entries. You don't really expect this to pay off, but, hey, you might get lucky.
- 2 - Then go to "Advanced Search". Try the following entries
Hardware Class: (if the categories in the drop-down list don't match exactly, leave at "All Categories")
Manufacturer:
Release: Red Hat Linux 7.3
Architecture: X86
Status: Any Status
Keyword (optional): Try empty first, add make and model names if you need to narrow the results.
3 - If you know the manufacturer, you can try the "Certified Hardware" or "Complete List" drill-downs. I've found older versions of the hardware I'm looking for in here; so far it's a good indication that my hardware will work.
Feedback
If you have any related experience, please add it here. Thanks!