Linux is gaining in popularity as a server operating
system, according to the latest market data from research company
IDC.
IDC's Q3 2004 server report found the users spend £529m worldwide
on Linux servers - an increase of 44% on last year. Meanwhile,
sales of Microsoft Windows-based systems were also growing, but at
a lower rate. Sales hit £2.8bn worldwide - an increase of 13.3% on
last year's figures. Hewlett-Packard said it had shipped 27.4% more
Linux servers compared to last year.
Blade servers, which promise more compact and manageable server
technology, are gaining popularity, according to IDC. Sales have
grown by 44% over the past year, although at £152m they only
account for 2.5% of the global server market.
Dundee City Council, a user of Linux servers since 1996, has
replaced 11 servers with one IBM zSeries 800 mainframe to run SuSE
Linux on 25 virtual servers. SuSE Linux Enterprise Server will be
used to run council systems including payroll, housing, social
services and web services.