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Oracle Linux Explored

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the new-kid-on-the-block dept.

M-Saunders writes "Two days ago Slashdot reported on Oracle's move into the enterprise Linux market, and how it may challenge Red Hat. Red Hat's stock has already dropped, and there's a great deal of talk about the implications of this act. Linux Format got hold of the 'Unbreakable' distro to find out what's going on under the hood. Is it a breakthrough for Linux in the corporate market, or just another RHEL respin? See the article for all the info and screenshots — including an 'interesting' choice of GRUB colours."

2 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. Its the support costs that are interesting by mgv · · Score: 5, Insightful

    To quote the web article:

    Unusually, Oracle are claiming that they will support your operating system indefinitely as part of the Premier Support package which works out at $1199 and $1999.

    These lifetime models get pretty interesting - you don't know if they are financially viable until a few years have gone by.

    But I've seen a few health clubs, airlines and government pension plans so on, suffer on the weight of their liabilities such as lifetime memberships, lifetime frequent flyer points, a unfunded retirement pensions.

    That is actually a big risk over a 10 year period..

    Michael

    --
    There is no cryptographic solution to the problem where the intended receiver and the attacker are the same entity.
  2. What about old Cygnus? by the+donner+party · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Since Red Hat bought Cygnus a couple of years back, Linux is no longer everything they do, there's also the gcc business. As far as I know, the gcc business earns money from embedded toolsets, and contracts with microprosessor manufacturers (including big ones like Intel) to improve gcc on their kit, or to port gcc to new CPUs.

    So, can anyone in the know comment on how much of Red Hat's business is Linux, as compared to what used to be Cygnus?