Oracle Announces The Same Enterprise Class Support For Linux As For Its Database
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A friend of mine that works for RH just posted the following link on the PLUG list:
http://www.oracle.com/corporate/press/2006_oct/Oracle-Linux-Program.html
From the press release:
“Today Oracle announced that it would provide the same enterprise class support for Linux as it provides for its database, middleware and applications products. Oracle starts with Red Hat Linux, removes Red Hat trademarks, and then adds Linux bug fixes. Currently, Red Hat only provides bug fixes for the latest version of its software. This often requires customers to upgrade to a new version of Linux software to get a bug fixed. Oracle’s new Unbreakable Linux program will provide bug fixes to future, current, and back releases of Linux. In other words, Oracle will provide the same level of enterprise support for Linux as is available for other operating systems. Oracle is offering its Unbreakable Linux program for substantially less than Red Hat currently charges for its best support. “We believe that better support and lower support prices will speed the adoption of Linux, and we are working closely with our partners to make that happen,” said Oracle CEO Larry Ellison. “Intel is a development partner. Dell and HP are resellers and support partners. Many others are signed up to help us move Linux up to mission critical status in the data center.”
RH is down over 16% in after hours trading. So, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Oracle is much larger than RH and with the level of support they claim to be putting behind their version of Linux combined with the lower cost they are charging may mean a great deal to RH and other Linux vendors. Novell’s stock price was relatively unaffected at the time I checked and that may be due to the fact that Oracle seems to be directly targeting RH in releasing an effectively identical product with enterprise level support at half the cost.
You may also remember that Oracle recently purchased Sleepycat Software and thereby acquired the Berkley Database technology.
So, there you have it…
