Re: [cobalt-users] [Qube 2] Restore CD

[Kris Dahl <krislists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I worked technical support for the world's largest internetworking company
> for 2 years. If I had ever given a response like this I would have been
> fired immediately. What kind of customer support is this ? When we purchased
> Cobalt equipment, we paid for the hardware AND the OS running on it. Thus,
> we should ALL be shipped the OS on CD as part of what we paid for. We can
> upgrade for free via the Cobalt site, so why is it Cobalt charges us for the
> original OS CD ?

If you worked for the largest internetworking company in the world, you must
be familiar with Cisco equipment.  When you purchase a piece of Cisco
equipment you typically do so for several reasons.  First and foremost, you
want the best equipment there is, and that means Cisco.  Cisco gear often
costs a good deal more than their competitors--but it is worth it because
its quality equipment.  In any case, money isn't really the
issue--*expenses* are.  Its much more expensive to be down for a day than it
is to spend 50% more to get a good Cisco switch.  Additionally if things are
truly critical you have spares ready to go (we always had a spare router,
CSU/DSU, switch, whatever).  I am willing to bet your company had a cache of
spare routers, etc.

All of a sudden you are buying web servers (with moving parts for Christ's
sake) and you don't use the same mentality.  A whole cobalt server costs
less than a Cisco router!

If you want to have a Cobalt CD shipped to you, it is $99 extra.  Add it to
the sticker price--its not all that difficult of a prospect.  In fact it is
a no-brainer.

> And I would think if the HD craps out, one might find the OS on CD helpful
> instead of having to wait for a shipment from Cobalt...oh wait...that is
> another fee service (Additional service) too isn't it ?

Well, if a hard drive crapped out on a piece of Cobalt equipment and you had
a service contract with us (by that I mean my previous employer) we would
find a hard drive to replace the unit (or just give you one of our in-house
machines) and run the restore for you.  You'd be back in business by lunch
time.  Would it cost you?  Sure.  But it is less than the cost of downtime.
So figure out your priorities, and make your decision.

-k