SCO Group Inc has strengthened its re-branding with the latest release of its Unix operating system for Intel processors that is now back under its original name of UnixWare. The Lindon, Utah-based company has also announced a new update service for its Unix and Linux operating systems.

Version 7.1.3 is the first release of UnixWare since SCO changed its name from Caldera International Inc in August. It is the successor to Open Unix 8, which is what Caldera named what would have been UnixWare 7.1.2 following its acquisition of SCO's Unix software and services business in May 2001.

Along with improvements in hardware support, networking capabilities and installation improvements, the latest version also features an update to the Linux Kernel Personality, which enables users to run Linux applications on the Unix operating system. The LKP now features multibyte character support, enabling it to run Asian language applications.

The latest version of UnixWare also features additional network applications, including OpenSSL, OpenSLP, OpenSSH and the Apache Web Server. The product will be released on December 5 in English, with international versions available in January 2003.

The company has also announced that it is introducing SCO Update Service, a service that provides customers with the latest updates and additions to its Linux, UnixWare and OpenServer operating systems. Available for SCO Linux 4.0, UnixWare 7.1.3 and OpenServer 5.0.7 when it ships in the first quarter of 2003, Update Service will enable users to download operating system updates and deploy them as required.

Subscribers will pay a single license fee that will cover all new operating system features up to and including the next upgrade release, according to the company. The service will be available for purchase at any time, either bundled with the operating system, or independently.

© ComputerWire