“With Dell Computer CEO Michael Dell giving the keynote at Linux
World… VA Linux is paying homage to the king of build-to-order
hardware with the announcement of its new Build to Order Software
(BTOS) program. BTOS will allow VA customers to specify their own
customizations and optimal configurations for Linux when purchasing
the server itself.”
“VA Linux says the model is based on Dell’s direct-order server
customization business, but instead of tweaking the RAM, processor
speed and cache, customers can specify if they want a Linux-based
file, print, application, firewall, database or Web server. Other
network operating systems that come preinstalled on server
hardware, such Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Novell NetWare, are
usually installed from a single drive image, and are not easily
customized for users’ needs.”
“The project was born out of VA’s user feedback data, which
showed that almost 90% of its customers reinstalled and
reconfigured their VA Linux servers once purchased, to optimize the
system for certain tasks, delete unwanted or unneeded software and
add security features. … According to Augustin, all pieces of
the various Linux code building blocks available for users to
choose from have been tested and confirmed to interoperate with
each other. The blocks have also been optimized for, or “burned
into,” VA Linux hardware.”