Novell targets data centre market

Data centres are looking to consolidate their Unix-based software

Novell is targeting data centres with its Linux software, and claims that the open source operating system has a bright future running so-called big iron servers.

"Big iron systems are going for Linux in a big way," said Ronald Hovsepian, president of worldwide field operations at Novell. "There are three big technological shifts that are really spurring demand."

He explained that data centres are looking to consolidate their Unix-based software and are moving to Linux since they are more familiar with the software than they are with Windows.

Secondly, according to Hovsepian, most data centres are now looking to use Intel processors now that the performance of chips like the Itanium 2 can match the performance of Risc-based systems.

The final push comes from the widescale adoption of blade servers. Hovsepian said that blades were allowing IT staff to recentralise servers, and the ease of use with which Linux handles such tasks is driving demand.

Novell has been building relationships with data centre software companies, and announced partnerships today with Sage, Agresso, Carmen Systems and Jeeves Information Systems.

"Chief information officers are under increasing pressure to align their IT infrastructure with changing business requirements while positioning themselves for growth," said Hans Sparkes, head of enterprise Linux, EMEA, at Unisys, which also supports Novell's enterprise Linux software.

"Our partnership with Novell provides customers with greater choice and flexibility at a significantly lower cost than with proprietary solutions."