IBM Commits to Red Hat Linux Across eServer Line

IBM and Red
Hat strengthened their relationship today with the announcement that the
companies will collaborate on support, services and software for Red Hat Linux
across the entire IBM eServer product line, including the xSeries, zSeries,
iSeries, and pSeries. 

This expands on an earlier deal with IBM and Red Hat to supply Red Hat Linux
and support to a limited line of IBM eServers.

IBM and Red
Hat strengthened their relationship today with the announcement that the
companies will collaborate on support, services and software for Red Hat Linux
across the entire IBM eServer product line, including the xSeries, zSeries,
iSeries, and pSeries. 

Specifics of the arrangement were not disclosed.

IBM’s agreement does not lock the computing giant into an exclusive
arrangement with the Linux vendor: IBM also resells SuSE Linux for the eServer
zSeries z900 and S/390, while IBM uses SuSE as a primary distributor in Europe
for its Linux software product lines, including DB2, WebSphere, Lotus, and
Tivoli. In addition, IBM works with TurboLinux supporting TurboLinux 6.5 on IBM
eServer zSeries computers.

Red Hat will be offering a combination of Red Hat Linux, platform-specific
CDs and documentation, product support services, professional services covering
onsite configuration and customized engineering, as well as an upgrade offering.
In addition, Red Hat will be providing system-specific kernels for zSeries
mainframes (requiring 64-bit kernels), pSeries UNIX services (requiring 32-bit
kernels), iSeries servers for small and medium-sized businesses (requiring
32-bit kernels), and Intel-based xSeries servers (requiring both 64-bit and
32-bit kernels). 

Corporations that need additional support or upgrades can contract for them
directly from Red Hat.

“A growing number of IBM’s customers choose Red Hat Linux to run on the
IBM eServer platforms because of its reliability and low maintenance
costs,” said John Callies, vice president, IBM eServer marketing, Server
Group, in a press release. “The company has also been cited for its
services and support, as well as its stature as a trusted open source
brand.”

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