New SuSE enterprise Linux pips Red Hat

Delivering the first enterprise server Linux distribution based on the 2.6 Linux kernel, Novell unveiled its SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 (SLES 9) at LinuxWorld.

In addition to the new kernel, the system offers improved management through Novell's ZENworks Linux Management as well as YaST, a tool for the configuration and administration of servers.

"The big advantage is performance," said Novell vice chairman Chris Stone referring to the previous 2.4 kernel. "SLES is ready for mission critical applications."

SLES 9 will also include the JBoss open source application server, a move that coincides with Red Hat unveiling its Application Server a day earlier at LinuxWorld.

Red Hat will sell its software as a separate product with support included at a monthly fee.

The SuSE Linux Enterprise System will bundle the JBoss software, and support it under the existing support plans.

"It is part of SLES," said Stone. "We will, of course, charge for support, but when you buy SLES, you also buy JBoss and you don't need to buy support."

Novell can count on strong support from partners including HP, Intel, IBM and Oracle, which have already certified their products for SLES 9.

"That probably means we that we have the best tested Linux enterprise system available on the market," said Markus Rex, general manager at SuSE Linux.