Google Servers and Linux, the early days

• Like many startups, Google started with a Linux CD (in our case Red Hat 6.2) installed on a bunch of machines (around 1998).

• Soon thereafter, we got a kickstart network install

• Updates and custom configurations were a problem though

• Machine owners had ssh loops to connect to machines and run custom install/update commands

• No, it's not scalable :)

• Eventually, they all got reinstalled with Red Hat 7.1