Novell today announced the global availability of the Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise, a software bundle that combines SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from Novell with a mixture of open and private source software from IBM, tailored for IBM systems. With more than 700 orders worldwide to date and growing, it is ideal for small and medium businesses for serving file and print, Web application, and database functionality for IBM System x and BladeCenter servers. The Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise gives organizations using Microsoft* Windows* greater choice and flexibility in their IT infrastructure as well as enhanced security, reliability and performance, all at a fraction of the cost of alternative solutions.
"With this integrated solution, customers can rapidly deploy a platform for databases and running custom-built applications," said Roger Levy, vice president and general manager of Open Platform Solutions for Novell. "The new Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise lets customers bring the flexibility of Linux* into their IT environment and quickly reduce costs. Because of the inherent interoperability of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, customers can simply and seamlessly plug the Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise into their existing infrastructure, including a Windows environment. Novell continues to give customers options to save money and improve performance with SUSE Linux Enterprise."
Jeff Smith, IBM vice president of Open Source and Linux Middleware, said, "The Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise uses software and systems from IBM to let small and medium businesses run Web, database, file and print servers more cost effectively. This secure mixed source software stack, integrated and pre-installed by channel partners, offers SMBs the flexibility to choose the components they'd like to deploy while making it easier to integrate Linux servers into Windows environments."
Integrated Solutions
The Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise adds to Novell's rich history of innovative workgroup solutions and is further evidence of Novell's commitment to providing alternative network management frameworks to suit the varying needs of different customers. The Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise is built using open standards and the best combination of mixed source software from two software industry leaders. In comparison, the recently launched Red Hat* Application Stack offers a pure open source solution at a higher price point with less functionality and limited Windows integration.
The Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise includes proven, enterprise-quality mixed source software components, all fully integrated with a range of enterprise-standard IBM Systems. Components of the solution include:
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from Novell
- IBM WebSphere* Application Server Community Edition
- IBM DB2* Express-C
- Centeris* Likewise* Management Suite
The software stack is optimized to run on IBM System x or BladeCenter server hardware.
David Richards, CEO of Centric CRM, said, "The Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise provides an ideal application platform for our open source CRM customers. Great for medium-sized customers, the capabilities of this solution easily extend as businesses grow. This sort of performance is only possible because the Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise brings together best-of-breed components at every level of the stack, from hardware through the operating system through the middleware."
Pricing and Availability
The Integrated Stack for SUSE Linux Enterprise is now available from Novell and IBM. Costs vary depending on IBM hardware selected, but the software subscription cost for the first year is $349. For more information, visit http://www.novell.com/ibmstack and http://www.ibm.com/linux/integration.