Linux will ship on our servers – SGI

Silicon Graphics has confirmed its plans to offer server products running Linux on Intel-based hardware, though the company would not say when the product will be released. Nor were details on the specification of that hardware forthcoming. "We will lead the low-end server market with full support for Linux," said John Vrolyk, SGI's senior VP for its computer systems business unit. "SGI will provide the same level of quality and support for Linux as its low-end [Intel] servers that it currently provides for its high-end MIPS-based systems." Vrolyk added that the move had been made to meet the demands of SGI's customers. The company's announcement follows hints earlier this week (see Linux to become a 'core OS' for HP, SGI) that it would join Hewlett-Packard, Compaq and Dell to bundle Linux with certain server products. Certainly, the Linux market is one SGI must be keen to address, given the outstanding growth of the open source OS' userbase and the company's own desire to return to profitability by chasing not only its traditional high-end markets but more mainstream ones too. ®