IBM unveils database for Linux clusters

IBM has announced what it claims is the industry's first commercial database for Intel-based Linux clusters.

Big Blue has also unveiled other Linux tools including extended support for the open source operating system through its Websphere middleware and development platform.

IBM claims DB2 Extended Enterprise Edition is the first commercial database for Intel-based Linux clusters. It will be aimed at bio-technology companies and internet businesses that want a cost effective way of expanding databases.

Also launched is DB2 Enterprise Edition for IBM Z Series and S/390 platforms for Linux. That database is IBM's general purpose software for embedded environments to enterprise servers.

To accompany the databases, IBM has released DB2 Connect, a series of tools that enable customers to access their mainframe-based DB2 data from any web-based applications running DB2 on Linux.

IBM also unveiled the latest advanced and standard editions of its Websphere Application Server for Linux running on Intel servers.

Some analysts said the latest announcements will give Linux more credibility in the high-end enterprise space. "Earlier this year IBM put Linux on the S390, but just having an operating system is not of much use until it supports the right applications," said Zona Research.

"We see the addition of DB2, Websphere application servers and DB2 Connect to Linux on the mainframe as having a profound potential effect on the very large base of global 2000 businesses that house more than a trillion dollars worth of applications and data on IBM mainframes," the researcher added.