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Linux seller scores distribution deal with IBM

SuSE, one of the four major companies selling Linux, estimates the distribution deal will give 20,000 of IBM's Intel server customers the opportunity to try out SuSE.

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Stephen Shankland
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Stephen Shankland principal writer
Stephen Shankland has been a reporter at CNET since 1998 and writes 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 I've been covering the technology industry for 24 years and was a science writer for five years before that. I've got deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and other dee
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IBM will ship a CD with SuSE's version of Linux with each of several Intel server models Big Blue sells in Europe, the companies said.

SuSE, one of the four major companies selling Linux, estimates the distribution deal will give 20,000 customers the opportunity to try out SuSE. The agreement also permits IBM to sell its Netfinity servers with SuSE preinstalled, the companies said this week at the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo in San Jose, Calif.

The version of SuSE used in the distribution deal is set up so that people can boot from the CD and try out Linux. They also can install Linux from the CD.

SuSE has versions of Linux that run on three of IBM's four major server lines: Intel-based Netfinity, Power-based RS/6000 and mainframe S/390.

The company markets chiefly in German-speaking countries and is planning an initial public offering.

IBM also has support relationships with Red Hat, TurboLinux, Caldera and MandrakeSoft.

Linux is chiefly popular on chips made by Intel; Intel has invested in Red Hat, SuSE, TurboLinux and other Linux companies. But Linux also runs on a wide variety of other CPUs.

AMD, Intel's chief rival in desktop computers, hopes to capture the attention of Linux programmers with its upcoming x86-64 chips, the first code-named Sledgehammer.

SuSE is helping to create critical programming tools for Sledgehammer, and Red Hat will provide a version of Linux for Sledgehammer, the company said.