In a bid to enter the Linux-based server market, Fujitsu Ltd. on Friday announced a partnership with Intel Corp. to develop high-end Linux servers based on Intel’s Xeon and Itanium chips.
The release of Fujitsu’s Xeon-equipped dual- and multi-processor servers is slated for 2004. Its Itanium-based cousins are expected to hit the market a year later. In addition to supporting Linux, these new servers will also provide support for Microsoft Corp.’s Windows operating systems.
Dedicated to making inroads with Linux, Fujitsu has created a Linux-devoted team, staffed by more than 300 engineers, under its Enterprise Systems Group. Their focus is developing and providing hardware and software for this open-source platform, and improving reliability, availability and scalability.
These Linux-based servers would make up the third line of Fujitsu’s server offerings, joining the company’s Unix-based Primepower server and GS Series mainframes.
Fujitsu, based in Tokyo, already offers products for Linux. For example, on Wednesday Fujitsu announced it updated its NetCOBOL 7.0 for Linux, adding optimization and multi-threading to the product. It supports Red Hat Linux 7.2 and 7.3.
The partnering with Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel signals a break in tradition for Fujitsu, which heavily relies and supports technology from Sun Microsystems Inc. for its Unix-based platforms.
Sun offers an entry-level Linux-based operating system – the LX50 – and on Jan.10 it announced an agreement with beONix Technology to establish a Sun Linux Competency Centre in Canada, headquartered in Belleville, Ont. The centre will provide an environment for Sun to test the interoperability with third-party products and integration with the Sun Linux operating system.
The centre will offer technical training, seminars and workshops on products available for Sun Linux.
beONix, based in Belleville, Ont., will be offering consulting and professional services to customers using Sun Linux and Solaris.
– With files from IDG News Services
For more information visit www.fujitsu.com
