IBM Wholeheartedly Embracing Linux - Page 2

anley, which is in the process of moving from Unix server farms to Linux.

He said the final myth was drawn from an unnamed vendor who derisively called Linux the bathtub of code. The vendor said source code is just floating in the bathtub and vendors can simply take anything out of it they wish and call it Linux.

But Palmisano argued that its open source nature is Linux's strength, not its weakness.

"Communities working together can produce exciting, wonderful, quality work," he said. "IBM spends $5 billion in research and development a year. We can't match this," he said opening his arms to embrace the audience. "We're going to have to unleash the creativity of thousands of people around the world."

In addition to its $300 million investment in Linux services, which will help customers install and implement commercial Linux e-business solutions, the company also revealed plans for the IBM eServer x430, a 64-way server that will run the new Linux Application Environment.

"In my experience, service and support are among the key drivers that will help make customers comfortable with running Linux in commercial business environments," said Dan Kusnetzky, IDC's vice president of system software research. "By providing superior services and support, IBM is clearly helping Linux move into the mainstream from its current position as the platform for technical, academic and service provider applications."

Big Blue also unveiled Linux-based network processor software development tools and services for ISPs and networking equipment vendors, including:

• Domino Workflow on Linux -- software which enables customers to build, modify and improve business processes like employee hiring and CRM by streamlining and automating interactions
• Plans to expand Linux support for Tivoli Systems management software
• IBM Director for advanced systems management software available on Linux for the IBM eServer xSeries product line, including a "self healing" feature to predict server failures
• Availability of the NetVista Thin Client, the N22001, running Linux
• Linux-certified IntelliStation Z Pro workstations based on Intel's new 64-bit Itanium processor.

"In the year since IBM embraced Linux as key to the evolution of e-business, our customers have rapidly adopted Linux in real e-business solutions. Linux is now ready for real e-business," said Irving Wladawsky-Berger, IBM vice president of technology and strategy, Server Group. "Now, in addition to providing top to bottom Linux support for our hardware and software, we're investing in Linux services so that IBM can assure our customers that the level of support they have come to expect for their enterprise computing environments will be available for Linux."