Hewlett-Packard is set to release an in-house version of Linux -
named HP Secure OS Software for Linux - next week.
HP focused on creating an ultra-secure version of the operating
system during the development of the new product. The release means
that the company will no longer have to rely on partner
distribution, a problem it has experienced in the past.
Linux has been incorporated into a large number of servers and
workstations, leading to vendors such as Red Hat selling their own
versions of the operating system. HP and other major hardware
sellers often bundle a version of Linux with their products.
Roberto Medrano, the general manager of HP's Internet security
division, said that while Linux is championed as a highly scalable
operating system, HP customers were looking for a more secure
version which could run on their own Web servers.
The new product will be available on HP's own servers and any
non-HP hardware which passes certain qualification tests. HP will
also offer a host of consulting services around the operating
system in order to ensure that customers can take full advantage of
the raft of built-in security features.
HP's version of Linux will come with a "virtual compartment" which
helps to prevent unauthorised communication between programs,
networks and files. This feature should lower security risks for
users managing information with different sensitivity levels on the
same server.
The new software will also come with a detection system for
alerting administrators to hacking attempts and a containment
feature which locks any hacked program, preventing it from damaging
applications or launching other attacks.
While the core of HP's version of Linux will be released to the
open source community, many of its security features, including the
virtual compartment technology, will remain under HP's
control.
Dan Kusnetzky, the vice-president of system software research at
IDC, said: "HP has clearly taken a step ahead of some of its
rivals. There is a chance that this will give it an advantage in
government markets, but if it does, it will be momentary at
best."
The new system, which is built around version 2.4 of the Linux
kernel, will be priced at $3,000 (£2,074) per server.