X

Sun joins high-end Linux group

Sun Microsystems signs on to the Open Source Development Lab, becoming the last of the four major server makers to back the group, which is devoted to improving Linux for higher-end servers.

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Expertise Processors, semiconductors, web browsers, quantum computing, supercomputers, AI, 3D printing, drones, computer science, physics, programming, materials science, USB, UWB, Android, digital photography, science. Credentials
  • Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.
See full bio
Stephen Shankland
SAN FRANCISCO--Sun Microsystems announced on Tuesday that it has joined the Open Source Development Lab, becoming the last of the four major server makers to back the organization, which is devoted to improving Linux for higher-end servers.


Special Coverage
It's a LinuxWorld
Read CNET News.com's complete
coverage from the Linux gathering.
Though founded in 2000, OSDL's profile was raised this July, when Linux leader Linus Torvalds and a top deputy, Andrew Morton, also signed on. IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Dell are already members. Sun made its announcement at LinuxWorld here.

OSDL is seeking to expand partnerships to include software companies such as SAP and Oracle, Chief Executive Stuart Cohen has said. And the group has also started making progress in terms of expanding to represent customers, with Unilever joining in July.

Sun joined the group at the "silver" partnership level, the middle rank of five and a commitment requiring payment of $100,000 per year. Representing the company will be Stephen Harpster, director of Sun's Linux software engineering, and Jack O'Brien, group manager of volume systems software marketing, Sun said.

The server maker will participate in both of OSDL's working groups, one for using Linux on high-end machines and one for using the OS with telecommunications customers, the company said.

Sun has been involved in several open-source projects, including the decision to release the source code of OpenOffice, but it was slower than its competitors in embracing Linux.