Linux is reaching new heights in scale as SuSE
Linux Tuesday has created a Linux software server geared to power the
voice, data and wireless applications offered by telecommunications
carriers.
The Carrier Grade Linux (CGL) edition of the SuSE Linux Enterprise Server is
tailored for real-time systems to back-end processing on Intel-based
hardware. CGL will aim to handle operating and business support systems,
gateway, signaling and management servers, as well as advanced voice, data
and wireless software.
CGL is supported by industry stalwarts as well, as it relies on technologies
defined by the Open Source Development Labs Carrier Grade Linux Working
Group, whose members include HP, IBM, Intel and telecom and network
equipment providers.
Richard Seibt, Chief Executive Officer at SuSE Linux, predicts success for
the new platform edition, which in addition to targeting market share of
proprietary systems from Microsoft, is aimed at undercutting server
offerings from rival Red Hat.
“This is a breakthrough product that we expect will quickly become the
preferred platform of many customers,” said Seibt. “Given the current high
cost structures and harsh market conditions, customers demand an adaptable
solution that offers cost-efficiency, standardization and reusability.
Seibt’s argument echoes that of many Linux supporters and industry analysts
who believe many companies are looking for lower cost alternatives in a time
when the economy is weak. And, while the CGL is geared specifically for
telecoms, Seibt claims its is attracting interest from financial and retail
markets as well.
Research firms such as IDC see the potential for Linux growth, too.
“Future wide-scale implementations of Linux-based, mission-critical business
applications may get less press, but they will continue to happen at all of
the largest global financial institutions,” said IDC Financial Services
analyst Damon Kovelsky. “Critical to this migration will be the ongoing
support of the large hardware vendors, especially their ability to provide
support tools and services for porting and new development. We believe that
within the next 18-24 months, installing a Linux-based software package will
become as normal as installing a Windows or Sun Solaris system.”
In fact, Linux has become such a hot buzzword among the financial community
that IBM has just christened a new Linux center in London to ease the
transition of financial services and banking firms to Linux. The Linux
Centre for Financial Services in London was created so software engineers
can test Linux hardware, software and services.
Specific features of SuSE Linux’ CGL include high availability features for
error detection and rapid failover; system memory dumping, system probes and
tracing; support for IPv6 for delivering next-generation network support,
including a wider address space, better auto detection and auto
configuration of networks, hosts and services and more efficient routing and
broadcasting; and mobile IPv6 RFCs compliance, which allows each mobile node
to be identified by its home address regardless of its current point of
attachment.
CGL is being offered as a free add-on service pack for existing SuSE Linux
Enterprise Server 8 customers.
