Red Hat returns to developer roots

Red Hat will release a set of certification and testing tools under an open source licence

Red Hat has unveiled a series initiatives to further push adoption of open source applications and content. 

The company promised at its Red Hat Summit in Nashville to release a set of internally developed Red Hat certification and testing tools under an open source licence that will enable enterprises to more quickly test and certify software for IT networks. 

The need for such applications is the direct result of the increased appeal of open source, argued Red Hat chief executive Matthew Szulik.

"Much about Linux and open source software has focused on the cost of acquisition," Szulik said in a press meeting. "The market is now moving to certification and testing tools."

Red Hat has released its Dogtail testing tool under a GPL licence and the application will be part of the upcoming, but as yet unnamed, offering. 

The Linux vendor performs daily tests to ensure compatibility of its Linux distribution with third-party software.

Enterprises have similar needs for internally developed applications or for changes made to the Linux operating system, but currently have to rely on commercial testing tools from vendors such as Mercury Interactive. 

Red Hat plans to submit the project to the Fedora board and will name it at a later stage. The company has not yet determined whether it will turn the project into a commercial service where it charges for support.