IP: more more on Linux & Y2K unknowns?

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> From: "Robert Cannon" <cannon () dc net>
> To: <farber () cis upenn edu>
> Subject: Re: Linux & Y2K unknowns?
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 21:20:04 -0400
> X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.1
>
> One of the problems that I have been told with Linux / Unix is that
> althought the OS may be Y2K ready, at boot up the OS does a call to the Real
> Time Clock and the RTC may not be Y2K ready.  Thus you have a problem of
> "bad data in, bad data out."  Later versions of Linux/Unix account for this
> but network operators should be careful to look into what version they have.
>
> Red Hat has a readiness disclosure on its web site that states if the user
> has a version of Red Hat prior to 4.1, I believe, the user should upgrade in
> order to be Y2K ready.  Red Hat gives out a free patch.
>
> I have heard indications of other problems but this one is clearly of
> concern.  This demonstrates why it is so important for network operators to
> conduct a thorough assessment of their systems, not taking anything for
> granted.
>
> There is more information about Linux, Unix and Y2K at the Internet Y2K
> Campaign web site.  www.nety2k.org
>
> -Robert Cannon