IBM Announces Linux Test-Drive Program

Seeking to spur
corporate interest in Linux-based servers among small businesses and independent
software developers (ISVs), IBM today announced a new
test-drive program that allows users to login Linux servers across the Internet. 

The Linux Test Drive for eServer iSeries features a “virtual Linux server” to help independent software vendors and the open source community
write and port their applications to Linux on iSeries
servers. (The iSeries line is the former AS/400 server line.) The program makes use of IBM’s partitioning technology, which allows a
single physical server to be divided into dozens of virtual servers that can be accessed remotely by software developers around the world.
A single iSeries server can support up to 31 partitions running Linux, according
to IBM. 

Seeking to spur
corporate interest in Linux-based servers among small businesses and independent
software developers (ISVs), IBM today announced a new
test-drive program that allows users to login Linux servers across the Internet. 

The business thinking, according to IBM, is that this program will entice
small businesses to consolidate multiple servers onto a single, mainframe-class
iSeries server. Pricing for the iServer series begins at $7,625 for a
entry-level installation.

“The Linux Test Drive illustrates IBM’s commitment to the development of Linux applications that solve real business issues for small to mid-size
customers,” said Kim Stevenson, vice president, IBM eServer iSeries, in a press
release. “The key to Linux adoption among small and medium-sized businesses is offering
ISVs a fast, convenient way to develop for this important market segment.”

The program is limited to installations of SuSE Linux and TurboLinux; users
can choose between a  14-day free access or a fee-based 30-day access.
Support for Red Hat Linux will come in January. 

Related Stories:
IBM Commits
to Red Hat Linux Across eServer Line
IBM
Releases eServer Clusters for Unix, Linux