Red Hat and IBM seal Linux deal

Red Hat has signed a deal with IBM to list its Red Hat Enterprise Linux v.3 as a standard configuration option for customers buying Big Blue's eServer Power hardware.

The agreement will give IBM customers the choice of running Red Hat Enterprise Linux on a range of servers, from its entry-level one and two-way Power4+ systems to its high-end 32-way Power4+ systems. The agreement also covers IBM's Power-based, eServer BladeCenter range.

According to Red Hat the deal, which marks an extension of an existing partnership between the two firms signed in November 2001, will allow companies to deploy a common Red Hat Linux code base on all IBM hardware in their infrastructures.

Mike Evans, vice president of partner development at Red Hat, said in a statement: "As we see the volume 64-bit computing market starting to gain momentum, we are excited to work with IBM on the Power platform.

"Customers will continue to benefit from the high-quality choices available through IBM and Red Hat integrated solutions."