IBM unveiled eight key open source initiatives beyond Linux, aimed at accelerating the adoption of open standards and extending existing product lines to reach new customers. The company will work with the open source community to improve the development of general Linux kernel functionality, expanding its Linux focus around virtualization, Cell processor technologies, and security.
"IBM is going to be as bold and aggressive with open source as we are with Linux, more broadly and permanently transforming our company with the open movement," said Scott Handy, Vice President Linux and Open Source, IBM.
The eight new disciplines focusing on open source business opportunities include:
- Client-side Middleware -- Supporting the Eclipse Rich Client Platform project for hosting cross-platform applications.
- Development Tools -- Built on Eclipse, a universal open integration platform of frameworks and exemplary tools.
- Web Application Servers -- Based on Apache open source projects like Geronimo.
- Data Servers -- Building on the open source Apache Derby and no-license fee IBM DB2 Express-C.
- Systems Management -- Including open source Aperi storage project.
- Open Hardware Architectures -- Community-driven collaborative innovation with Power.org and Blade.org.
- Grid Computing -- Expanded support for Open Grid Services Architecture and the Globus Alliance.
- IBM Research/Business Consulting and Technology Services -- Enabling customers to innovate with open source-based solutions and development models.
IBM Linux Technology Center Targets Key Kernel Initiatives:
IBM said the market opportunity for Linux approached nearly $7 billion dollars in overall revenue, growing some 35% in 2005. Linux grew five times faster than Windows and eight times faster than the overall server market.
Other key development innovations include:
- Integrate Cell BE processor Into Linux Kernel -- IBM developers are integrating support for Cell BE processor technologies in the Linux kernel and creating Cell software development tools available for download.
- IBM developers are working with the community to extend Security-Enhanced Linux. This security underpinning of the Linux kernel compartmentalizes applications and services into distinct security domains, providing a highly secure platform for applications or data.
- Extend Open Source Virtualization -- IBM technology experts are working on key components of open source virtualization software with focus in the areas of systems management, security, and POWER architecture enablement. The move builds upon IBM's 40-plus years of virtualization experience on the mainframe.
