Fujitsu, NEC fuel Japan Linux take-off

Linux seems poised for a breakthrough in Japan, according to reports over the weekend. According to the newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Fujitsu and NEC are poised to roll out Linux products for the networking market, while IBM Japan plans Linux notebooks and servers. NEC will be unveiling Linux servers aimed at ISPs next month, and will be implementing what sounds like a Linux 'ready to run' programme for its corporate servers. Corporate customers will be given data on the Linux compatibility of NEC servers. Fujitsu's plans are possibly more interesting, as the company intends to start selling network management systems that allow Linux and Windows NT machines to be managed more easily on the same network. It will be possible to manage Linux machines from NT consoles and vice versa, so it should become easier for Japanese businesses to introduce Linux on existing networks. ®