HP and Red Hat Alliance Bring Service and Support to Linux

ISPs and Corporate Networking Groups to Benefit from an HP and Red Hat Alliance for Service and Support

RALEIGH, N.C -

Hewlett Packard Company today announced that it is the first major vendor to offer support and integration services for the industry's fastest-growing operating system, Linux. To broaden support for additional operating systems on its Intel® based NetServer systems, HP has formed an alliance with Red Hat, Inc. , the largest Linux distributor and service provider. The alliance will provide end-to-end service and support for HP customers. In addition, HP intends to port Linux to its platforms based on the IA 64 architecture.

"The density, performance and scalability of the HP NetServer LPr systems are integral to PSINet delivering business class Internet services to customers," said Michael Mael, vice president of Applications and Web Services for PSINet Inc. "As PSINet evaluates the capabilities of Linux, HP is a clear choice of a hardware partner to forge ahead with new technologies."

The ideal solution today and tomorrow
The HP NetServer LPr, the first HP NetServer system to support Linux, delivers a fast, space efficient and high density rack solution that is ideal for ISPs and corporate IT departments. The system supports one or two Pentium&#reg; II processors at 400MHz or 450MHz, two hot swap hard disk drives and up to 1GB of memory. Worldwide support for Linux across the NetServer family is imminent.

"Running Official Red Hat Linux V. 5.2 on HP's NetServer LPr system provides an ideal solution for ISPs or other IT organizations looking for reliable, effective and affordable computing solutions," said Bob Young, chief executive officer for Red Hat, Inc. "Red Hat has worked aggressively to build unrivaled customer service with our robust internal call center and leading technical experts."

Strengthening its commitment to provide customers with complete solutions, HP's Global Integration and Installation Operation (GIIO) will offer installation and configuration services for Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 on the HP NetServer LPr system. GIIO will include the Official Red Hat Linux operating system, as well as other support software.

HP's Covision program today announced a strategic alliance with Red Hat, Inc. to offer integrated Internet solutions for the Linux platform through Covision channel partners.

To provide customers with immediate solutions based on HP NetServer systems, as well as a longer term strategy for future IA 64 architecture based solutions, HP is porting the Linux operating system to HP IA 64 based platforms. Conforming to the established model for open source code, HP intends to make this port available to the Linux community, as IA 64 specifications become public.

HP recognizes fast growing Linux market
"IDC has found that Linux was the fastest-growing server operating environment in 1998 when shipments are considered," said Dan Kusnetzky, program director of International Data Corporation's Operating Environments and Serverware services. "HP appears to be taking this very seriously and has put together an exciting mix of products and services to address the needs of Linux users."

About HP NetServer Systems
The HP NetServer systems offer high performing Intel based server solutions to meet the needs of small and mid size businesses, workgroups, departments and enterprise customers. Gartner Group's recent Datapro user survey(1) ranked HP NetServers No. 1 in the PC server category for overall satisfaction, with HP NetServers receiving highest scores in the categories for performance, expandability/upgradability, reliability of the hardware, service and support, and total cost of ownership.

All HP NetServer systems come equipped with HP TopTools management software and HP OpenView ManageX/SE for NOS and application management, as well as the HP NetServer Navigator, featuring easy to use tools to configure, install and manage HP NetServer systems. Additional information on HP NetServer systems can be found at http://www.hp.com/netserver .

EDITORIAL CONTACTS:
Laura Lowell, HP
(408) 343 6274
laura_lowell@hp.com

Caroline Rice
Alexander Communications, Inc. for HP
(415) 923 1660 x130
crice@alexanderogilvy.com

Common with UNIX footnote

LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. Red Hat is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

  • About Red Hat
  • Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to reliable and high-performing cloud, Linux, middleware, storage and virtualization technologies. Red Hat also offers award-winning support, training, and consulting services. As the connective hub in a global network of enterprises, partners, and open source communities, Red Hat helps create relevant, innovative technologies that liberate resources for growth and prepare customers for the future of IT. Learn more at http://www.redhat.com.



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