SuSE Linux AG is close to wrapping up OEM deals with Sun Microsystems Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co. that will call for the Linux distributor to bundle its version of the open source operating system on select client and server systems from Sun and on HP’s lower-end servers.
According to sources familiar with the company’s plans, Sun will bundle SuSE Linux 8.2 with its lower-end Intel-based desktops and servers, while HP will bundle it with several of its low and mid-range servers. The two deals figure to help the German-based company, now number two among Linux distributors, to gain some ground on market leader Red Hat Inc. SuSE has been gathering some momentum in the Linux-based desktop market of late, landing a couple of sizeable deals including a contract to supply the city of Munich, Germany, with 14,000 copies of their version of the operating system, throwing out Windows in the process.
Software eases remote access mgmt.
Expand Beyond Corp. has developed a mobile remote-access management platform that puts troubleshooting and disaster recovery capabilities in the palm of an administrator’s hand. The company is expected to ship PocketAdmin for Windows, which allow let administrators to carry out processes such as assigning user rights and rebooting servers from Palm OS or Microsoft Pocket PC devices.
The software, which also runs from a wireless-enabled laptop, works in real time on Windows 2000 and 2003 servers and Windows 2000 and XP desktops. With PocketAdmin for Windows, administrators can manage, monitor and troubleshoot Windows systems over a wireless connection. Expand Beyond, which has similar software for SQL Server, Oracle and IBM’s DB2 databases, has integrated PocketAdmin for Windows with Active Directory so administrators can manage objects such as computers and users listed in the directory. Users and groups can be added and deleted from the mobile interface, and administrators can manage network file shares and print queues.
AOL hooks up with IMlogic to support IM management
America Online Inc. has named IMlogic as the first third-party management platform in its AOL Instant Messaging (AIM) Certified Partner Program, which began last year. IMlogic develops IM Manager, which allows instant messaging clients from AOL, Yahoo, Jabber, Microsoft, and IBM/Lotus to interoperate. IMlogic says it already supports some 200,000 corporate instant messaging seats. IM Manager also provides security, logging and auditing capabilities so users can control instant messaging traffic.
This is the first time AOL has backed service and support to integrate its popular AIM client with other instant messaging services. In the past, AOL has thwarted attempts by others to integrate with its client for fear of losing the loyalty of its 195 million user base. That attitude appears to be thawing with the IMlogic partnerships and an agreement late last month to discuss with bitter rival Microsoft if the two could establish interoperability between their instant messaging services.