Oracle has announced that it will provide the same
enterprise-class support for Linux as it does for its database,
middleware and applications products.
The company launched its Unbreakable Linux programme at its
annual Oracle Openworld conference in San Francisco this week.
Oracle chief executive officer Larry Ellison said, “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.”
Oracle kicked off its dedicated Linux programme by announcing a
support service to Red Hat Linux users, to allow them to integrate
Oracle applications, while also taking away Linux support revenue
from Red Hat.
Oracle’s new Unbreakable Linux programme will provide bug fixes
to future, current, and back releases of Linux, and says its
service equates to a cheaper updating and support service than what
Red Hat offers its Linux customers.
Oracle is working with the likes of Dell, HP, Intel, IBM,
Accenture and AMD on the Linux support programme.
Ellison said, “Many others are signed up to help us move Linux
up to mission critical status in the data centre.”
Oracle’s Unbreakable Linux programme is available to all Linux
users from £55 per system per year.
Oracle president Charles Phillips said, “You do not have to be a
user of Oracle software to qualify. This is all about broadening
the success of Linux. To get Oracle support for Red Hat Linux all
you have to do is point your Red Hat server to the Oracle network.
The switch takes less than a minute.”
Oracle chief corporate architect Edward Screven said Oracle was
“not trying to fragment the market”.
He said, “We will maintain compatibility with Red Hat Linux.
Every time Red Hat distributes a new version we will resynchronise
with their code. All we add are bug fixes, which are immediately
available to Red Hat and the rest of the community.”