Dell Partners with MS/Novell for Linux Servers

untouchableForce writes "Dell has announced that it will join forces with Microsoft and Novell to "make it easier for the Windows operating system and the [...] Linux [operating] system to work together." This is not overly surprising given Dell's good relationship with Microsoft, and since they already sell SUSE Linux on some of their servers, but it is likely to put a stop to the OSS community's celebration of them distributing Ubuntu. The debate over partnership between Microsoft and Novell has been drawn out since the deal was signed and for some this will add additional fuel to the fire but shouldn't the OSS community be reading this as an acceptance of Company's acknowledgment of Linux?"

Comments

This deal also.....

[8127972]

.... Likely limits the chances of Dell being sued because of some sort of IP related issue. These days, it's all about covering your A**.

Re:This deal also.....

[Penguinisto]

Indeed - I see it as a major step towards Dell selling Linux on a larger scale.

OTOH, I sincerely hope this isn't going to become a pattern, where MSFT makes bank every time an OEM moved towards Linux. Something about it just seems plain wrong, and looks like an admission of guilt towards a contention that probably does not exist (the assertion of MSFT somehow owning IP to Linux or OS tech).

/P

Re:This deal also.....

[marcosdumay]

I do have a problem with Microsoft getting something for every PC sold with Linux. But, that said, it is a much better situation than every PC comming with Windows.

Re:This deal also.....

[Scarblac]

Exactly the opposite - if they're suggesting they need a patent deal like this to be allowed to distribute Linux, then they are not allowed to distribute it - see the GPL (For example, if a patent license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through you, then the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to refrain entirely from distribution of the Program).

It would open them up to GPL violation law suits.

Re:This deal also.....

[IGnatius T Foobar]

OTOH, I sincerely hope this isn't going to become a pattern, where MSFT makes bank every time an OEM moved towards Linux.

In conventional terms, this is known as a "protection racket" and it is quite illegal. Not that the law ever stopped Microsoft before...

Oy Carumba

[WrongSizeGlass]

shouldn't the OSS community be reading this as an acceptance of Company's acknowledgment of Linux? I suppose an OpenSource deal with the Devil is still an OpenSource deal, so why look a gift horse in the mouth (even if it is one of the four horses of the apocalypse)?

Re:Oy Carumba

[darth_linux]

i agree about the four horses part. M$ doesnt want to embrase linux as much as they want to extinguish. as someone else pointed out, they eventually want to make people think they (or novell by partnership) are the only ligitimate linux distributors and all others are unofficial/unsupported. I can see the add: "free linux distros come and go. run and you risk being left with out tech support. we're M$ and we're your linux source."

Good news

[flyingfsck]

The MS Active Directory system and Exchange is what keeps MS shops locked in. Lately, the Active Directory integration has improved with new wizards from Redhat and Mandriva, but the Exchange front still sucks.

In our datacenter, Dell's doing well with Linux

[csoto]

It used to be like pulling teeth to get anywhere next to current drivers and software for Linux, but over the last few years, it's just as good as Windows. Man, it sucked to have to boot a server in Windows or visit it with a USB floppy drive in order to update firmware. I see this move as a good thing. Dell realizes they sell more boxes with better Windows AND Linux support than with good support for just one of these...

What's really going on here?

[zCyl]

Something still doesn't make sense in this cluster of partnerships.

Microsoft said it would offer corporate customers a chance to license its Windows operating system as part of a package that includes maintenance and support for Novell's Suse Linux platform.

This strikes me as a strange statement. This is like offering a chance to lease a Ford with every Honda maintenance.

I get that Dell might see patent immunity as an advantage, but if Microsoft gives patent immunity to everyone, then this contradicts the proposed strategy of using patents as a weapon. Giving patent immunity to Novell was simply an empty gesture, of course. But if cards fall right Dell could actually become a substantial distributer of preinstalled Linux systems. With too many of these deals, patents can no longer be used against Linux, contradicting a plan Microsoft had stated a desire for for some time.

While patent immunity for Linux installations is a good result, I'm not primed to expect good results from Microsoft after a history of them not acting in such a manner. So I am still left wondering what is going on behind the scenes here.

Novell SUSE is now MS Linux.

[pallmall1]

Dell has agreed to buy Suse Linux Enterprise Server certificates from Microsoft

SUSE has become MS Linux. Thanks a lot, Novell.

What really happened:

[DJCacophony]

Microsoft was caught off-guard by Dells move to put Linux on their machines. Microsoft was simply not expecting them to do it. Now that they realize that Dell is serious about it, they offered Dell kickbacks in order to put Microsoft/Novell software on the machines instead of the free-as-in-beer Ubuntu Linux so they can keep control over their customer base.

Re:What really happened:

[phasm42]

They'll probably throw in some MSN.com links on the SUSE desktop.

Ideastorm topic added

[mhall119]

I have added this concern to Dell's Ideastorm.

http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67008/Dont_i mply_Microsoft_IP_in_Linux

Anyone concerned about Dell's involvement in this MS/Novell pact should promote and comment on it.

No.

[RLiegh]

This should be read as the first nail in the coffin of linux. There is no way that MS will let any other distribution but suse exist; and only then for as long as it takes to kill off ubuntu, etc.

Killing the open document format, getting linux pushed off the OLPC project and off of Dell...these should all be seen as signs that Microsoft is serious about eliminating Linux (and Free Software) with extreme prejudice.

Any win for Novell is a loss for Free Software; particularly in this case.

Re:No.

[apokryphos]

Your statements show such an ignorance of Novell's history and works that I barely know where to start. If you'd stop fuming for a second from your irrational Novell and Microsoft hate campaign, you would head around to a few facts:
* Microsoft has explicitly mentioned that its deal with Novell is not exclusive
* Novell has done more for OSS over the years than you can possibly imagine; do a little Googling. They're still the biggest contributors to GNOME and KDE, and pipe incredibly significant development efforts into the Linux Kernel, OpenOffice.org, X.org/Xgl/Compiz, etc etc
* Novell are fully and totally dedicated to the ODF format.
* There is absolutely no way Ubuntu is even remotely ready for the Enterprise. Consumer desktops are nice and everyone is pleased about that deal, but it simply doesn't have the software and innovation as RH and SUSE to survive in many Enterprise environments.

Re:No.

[nine-times]

There is no way that MS will let any other distribution but suse exist

There is no way for MS to stop other distributions from existing.

Re:No.

[Coryoth]

GNOME, sure, but KDE? Granted, I'm lazy and haven't done any research, but what's gone KDE's way while Novell pumps GNOME? Novell bought Ximian, and that has resulted in significant contributions to GNOME from Novell via the Ximian staff. Novell also bought SUSE, and that has resulted in significant contributions to KDE from Novell via the SUSE staff (since SUSE was one of the major contributors of KDE code). Think of it this way: Novell, unlike Redhat, has been quite seriously pursuing the corporate desktop (Redhat has been halfheartedly pursuing it at best, and instead focusing on servers); that has involved quite a bit of user testing and usability studies, the results of which can be applied to both desktops.

There's a demand for MS-Helped Linux

[saterdaies]

In the world, there are many companies who like the idea of Linux and love its cost, but do worry about compatibility issues. Those companies get all warm and fuzzy inside when they hear news releases like this because they think "oh, someone is making sure that isn't a problem".

Whether it is a problem or not, IT people at companies often like the path of least resistance (don't we all) and so paying a little money for something they have to worry less about it a good thing to them.

I don't like Novell cozying up to M$ any more than anyone on /., but I understand why they're doing it - they're customers want compatibility guarantees and protection from IP disputes. The only real way to break ourselves of deals like this is with legislation for open-standards and IP-law reform. Those two would mean that companies using Linux would have no fear about using the OS - even if those fears today are simply in their heads.

Re:Dang.

[trewornan]

Beware of geeks bearing gifts?

This isn't for the home segment...

[jkrise]

From TFA:
On Sunday, Microsoft and Novell said Dell has agreed to buy Suse Linux Enterprise Server certificates from Microsoft and that the computer maker will set up a services and marketing program aimed at getting users of open-source platforms to switch to the new Suse Linux offering.

"Dell is the first major systems provider to align with Microsoft and Novell in this collaboration, and we intend to lead in this space," Rick Becker, a vice president in Dell's product group, said in a statement.

The pact between Microsoft and Novell is primarily aimed at the growing number of major companies and government agencies that rely on both Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft's patent-protected Windows and Novell's open-source Linux platform to run their computers....

Home PCs will still likely run Ubuntu.
There's hardly any point running Enterprise Servers (which is nothing but marketing speak, anyway) in one's Home PC.
And nothing can prevent corporates from installing Dell's Ubuntu-based Home offerings in company networks.

Microsoft Linux Enterprise Server certificate ..

[rs232]

'Microsoft is purchasing and redistributing Suse Linux Enterprise Server certificates under the deal'

So basically certain companies are paying Microsoft to use their own SuSE software. What Novell are doing is legitimizing MS claim to Linix IP rights. A precident of gigantic and enormous consequences. Novell basically gave away their business under vague threats of IP violations. I can see what Microsoft got out of the deal, but I can't for the life of me see what Novell gets out of it.

An analogy, I'm the CIO of Corleone olive oil business and out of the blue the New Jersey Mob phones me up and say I am violating their patented recipe . But they say, lets do a deal, we'll promise not to sue and give you the rights to continue to distribute our patented recipe and in return we'll purchase 'certificates' to distribute Corleone olive oil.

Next thing I know people are ringing me up asking why they should be paying me for New Jersey olive oil. Before ya know it I am out of the olive oil business. The Jersey crew offer to buy out my business at a rock bottom price and to let me stay on as CEO, if I don't go squealing to the the FEDs. Years later people would ask me why I gave away the family business to a shister extortionist - without raising a finger.

Re:Mod Parent UP

[mhall119]

Would be nice if we could get an actual statement and maybe even an interview with Michael Dell here.

Quite right, between this, and Dell's decision to offer Ubuntu on desktops, it's about time for an slashdot interview with Michael Dell. Any idea how to get this started?

Re:Free as in Freedom, good sir

[ericrost]

It's ridiculous to call the software they produce and distribute free as in beer. They contribute upstream, they release all their source, they give redistribution rights, they don't discriminate on field of endeavor.

They are allowing FREEDOM (ie use the software you need if none that support the 4 freedoms are available). Isn't it less free to turn your nose up at something than to inform your users of the licensing issues, let them know they won't get support, and let them use their computers the way THEY see fit?

What definition of FREEDOM do you have that restricts users rights to use something in the name of "freedom"?

That, in my estimation, is freer than a restrictive definition of freedom. Freedom should never take rights away, only add guarantee that you won't take them away from others.