“IBM will expand on its Linux commitment this week when it
unveils a low-cost Netfinity server optimized for the operating
system. IBM will also support and service offerings from additional
Linux vendors beyond Red Hat Inc. and Caldera Systems Inc., adding
TurboLinux and Suse to its roster.”
“The Netfinity 3500 M10, due next month, is priced at less than
$1,800. It will include a driver that lets the open-source
operating system take advantage of RAID storage. Users can opt,
through resellers or custom configuration, for preinstalled
versions of Caldera, Red Hat, Suse, or TurboLinux, and use IBM as a
single point of contact for hardware and software support.
“Customers are demanding bulletproof Linux,” says Mike Riegel,
IBM’s global executive for Linux and E-business in the Netfinity
group. “IBM service and support blows away the competition.”
“IBM is also launching a plan to work with independent software
vendors to certify enterprise applications, such as SAP, for Linux
on IBM hardware. Initially, it will work with SAP to certify its
R/3 enterprise resource planning software.”