Ubuntu8.04 expand the enterprise-level server operating system market

With the release of Ubuntu8.04 long-term support (LTS) server version, Ubuntu, a Linux vendor, has been very firm in positioning the long-awaited enterprise-level server operating system in the world's business computing. Technically, this version is not the first server version of Utuntu-the previous version was released two and a half years ago, however, this version is truly prepared for servers, with a complete set of features required for complex business IT, including support for virtualization, enhanced performance, and from the Sun Microsystem public

With the release of the Ubuntu 8.04 long-term support (LTS) server version, the Linux vendor Ubuntu has been very firm in positioning the long-awaited enterprise-level server operating system in the world's business computing.

Technically, this version is not the first server version of Utuntu-the previous version was released two and a half years ago, however, this version is actually prepared for the server, with a complete set of features required by complex business IT, this includes virtualization support, enhanced performance, and hardware-level verification from Sun Microsystems.

Although he was excited about the operating system, Mark Shuttleworth, the creator of Ubuntu Linux, said he knew there was still a lot of competition in the enterprise market.

"We must maintain a modest attitude to the outside," Shuttleworth said. "We know that we are new members of this game and there is a long way to go ."

Shuttleworth also said that in addition to the release of the new server operating system Version, Ubuntu also released the Version 8.04 Desktop Linux. These two versions are currently available for free download on the Ubuntu website. They all belong to the release type of LTS and are supported by Ubuntu's business supporter Canonical for up to five years, which is much longer than the standard 18-month support period of javastun.

"LTS really attracts people who make large-scale deployments, such as business, and they want to replace their systems for a long time," he said, "I think this is the most meaningful release ever."

Shuttleworth said that the Enterprise Edition is currently used on Sun's x86 server, although it is not yet a pre-installed OS version of Sun. Other vendors also provide the relevant hardware for compatibility and other testing verification, but it is not yet completely determined.

"We have not yet been regarded as a powerful pre-installed system by hardware vendors," Shuttleworth said. However, the company is currently working with hardware vendors to encourage such cooperation.

Two important features of the new server version include: support for two virtualization platforms-Free Software KVM platform and VMware platform, and verification of enterprise-level applications by independent software vendors (ISVs, these applications can run on the new operating system.

"On the server side, many independent software vendors have told us that they are verifying this release," he said. This includes Zend, Zimbra, Alfresco, VMware and other vendors. "This is a very encouraging thing. From my point of view, perhaps the most important thing is that all these ISVs tell us that they have heard from customers about Ubuntu as an important choice, whether it is the server version or the desktop version."

So since Ubuntu already has an enterprise-level server operating system, does the company begin to follow the routines of other Linux vendors, such as red hat? And create support for corresponding server applications?

"No, I don't think we should do this. Any migration from specification to application space is excluded," Shuttleworth said. "We tend to cooperate with open-source vendors and personal applications. This is a very important driver. Let's take virtualization as an example. We work with VMware and confirm that Ubuntu meets their standards, and Ubuntu is also a platform optimized and tested in a virtualized architecture ."

"Ubuntu will always focus on the operating system level rather than the market already done by other vendors ." He said.

He added that Ubuntu will continue to work with ISVs, which are the true creators of applications.

He said: "Many companies are investing in practical innovations and innovating key components on such platforms. For us, we should not go above the path of confrontation or dispute between Ubuntu and these vendors. We should learn how to make Ubuntu a sales channel for them, how to make Ubuntu help them win more profits, rather than thinking about how to swallow them ."

"It is obvious that Ubuntu's strategy is significantly different from other Linux vendors on the market," he said. "I think we should bring more benefits to end users ."

Dell currently provides Ubuntu Desktop Linux on its Laptops and Desktops.