Novell puts SuSE setup tool through GPL

Novell is making SuSe Linux's open source systems management tool available under General Public Licence (GPL).

Novell said it has decided to make Yet another Setup Tool (YaST) available under open source licence in a bid to make it easier to tie together systems management tools.

"We want to do with YaST what Linux did for the operating system; that is, give partners and customers flexibility, choice and the best technology," said Juergen Geck, SuSE Linux chief technology officer, in a statement.

"YaST now becomes a tool for the community."

Sam Greenblatt, chief architect of the Linux Technology Group at Computer Associates, commented: "This is an important step forward for the Linux market.

"By providing a common, open, standardised platform for instrumenting the management of Linux systems, YaST provides a useful interface for customers seeking to build enterprise management environments."

Chris Stone, vice chairman, office of the chief executive at Novell, said the move would help progress in remote management tools.

"SuSe wanted to do it; they saw it as an opportunity to get people to integrate with other systems," he said.

The move will allow independent software vendors to access the systems management tool and enable systems management vendors to use their products on any hardware or software platform.

YaST is a modular designed installation, configuration and administration tool, which allows IT managers to add hardware and software configurations and systems management plug-ins to the frameset.

Novell has also put out its iFolder personal storage and filing product to the open source community under GPL.

Both initiatives will help drive development of improved enterprise products for the Linux platform, said the company.

"It gives the open source community a strong environment to engage in," Novell chief executive Jack Messman told BrainShare delegates.