HP prepares for Linux onslaught

Hewlett Packard (HP) chief executive Carly Fiorina is set to deliver the opening salvo in the company's Linux onslaught at the LinuxWorld show which kicks off in New York today (30 January).

As well as opening the show, which is expected to attract over 20,000 attendees and exhibitors over the next few days, HP is set to unveil hardware available only with Linux, as well as Linux consulting services and Linux-based developers' kit for some of its telecoms software.

The company is introducing an enticement to new Linux users in the form of a 'utility pricing' plan which would allow Linux customers to pay less than the normal lease price when utilisation is low, and slightly more when it is high.

HP will also announce that its consulting and outsourcing services will be available for corporate Linux systems around the world.

The company's bid to extend its reach in the Linux arena reflects the growing take-up of the open source operating system within the enterprise market.

During the show HP is expected to show off some of its largest Linux enterprise users including Amazon, DreamWorks and Nokia.

HP's spate of Linux announcements follow last week's news from key rival IBM that it will launch a new line of mainframes at the show which run solely on Linux.

Like Big Blue, HP is eager to push its high-end Linux systems into the telecoms market. Dubbing its offerings Carrier Class, the company is looking to push into what is a traditional Unix stronghold.