IBM and Red Hat join forces

Red Hat has agreed a three-year deal with IBM to improve Linux product support and customer service across the IBM range, which may shore up Red Hat's position as the leading supplier of Linux systems.

The deal comes as Red Hat finds itself under renewed pressure from the UnitedLinux Alliance, which is backed by IBM and aims to develop a Linux with a common set of installation and configuration tools to aid the development of third-party products. Meanwhile, Sun has added to the pressure by unveiling its Linux desktop plans.

Under the agreement, Red Hat's Advanced Server oper- ating system will be offered across IBM's entire server range. The two firms will join forces on service and support through IBM Global Services, and customers will be able to negotiate contracts for Red Hat software with both partners.

Meanwhile, Linux experts at IBM will work more closely with their Red Hat counterparts to improve the technology and iron out flaws.

Previously, Red Hat's Advanced Server has been restricted to IBM's xSeries server products. As a result of the new arrangement, iSeries, pSeries and zSeries machines will also offer the operating system.

Linux-compatible versions of IBM's enterprise software products, including WebSphere, DB2, Tivoli and Lotus Notes, will also be available.

The new agreement offers tailored customer service and support from both Red Hat and IBM Global Services. Scott Harrison of Red Hat UK said this approach benefits the customers of both companies. "Using Red Hat Advanced Server, IBM can now deploy a consistent operating system from PC to mainframe.

This means developers can write an application once then distribute it across the whole organisation," he commented.

David Valentine, IBM's sales and marketing director for Linux in Europe, added, "We are making it simpler for customers to leverage the best of what both parties can do to support them."

However, Gary Barnett of analyst company Ovum said that many firms are still wary of using Linux on essential systems. "They're prepared to use it for general applications such as file and print servers, but are less confident about using it core systems," he said. Barnett added that IBM's commitment to the operating system has improved the situation.

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