IBM To Bundle SuSE Linux 7.0 With Netfinity Servers; Estimated 20,000 SuSE Linux 7.0 Expands SuSE's Enterprise Mission

Business Wire, August 16, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LinuxWorld Conference & Expo

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 16, 2000

Today, SuSE Linux, and IBM announce an advanced marketing agreement to ship single-CD versions of SuSE Linux 7.0 with every IBM Netfinity server model 1000, 3000, and 3500 M20 in Europe through the end of the year 2000. The agreement also enables IBM to ship Netfinity servers preloaded or bundled with a full version of SuSE Linux.

"The CD we are shipping is specially engineered to enable IBM's Netfinity customers to try Linux on this popular server hardware," said Dirk Hohndel, CTO of SuSE Linux AG. "In addition, the Live File system allows them to run Linux directly from the CD. This is a simple way for IBM's server customers to try SuSE Linux. If they like it, it can easily be installed from the same CD."

"With this distribution, IBM provides a full line of servers with Linux support," said Sandy Carter, Vice President of IBM Worldwide Solutions. "Netfinity provides scalability, reliability, availability and control on the Intel server platform. Shipping SuSE with Netfinity makes it easy for our customers to evaluate a high quality combination of hardware and software for Linux."

SuSE is demonstrating its recently-released version 7.0 and enterprise-ready solutions on full range of IBM hardware, from S/390 through the RS/6000 and Netfinity platforms, in its booth at LinuxWorld Expo. Currently running as a beta, SuSE Linux 7.0 for IBM S/390 will ship in Q4, 2000.

"We are the only Linux distribution with support for IBM's Netfinity, RS/6000 and S/390 server platforms," commented Volker Wiegand, President of SuSE Inc. "SuSE is clearly the choice for companies looking for a common cross-platform version of Linux. Its suitability as a server system is unquestioned."

About SuSE:

Founded in 1992, SuSE Linux is the international technology leader and solutions provider in open source operating system (OS) software, setting new standards for quality and ease of use. Its award-winning SuSE Linux 6.4 and the newly released 7.0 include thousands of third party Linux applications supported by extensive professional consulting and support services, excellent documentation, comprehensive hardware support, and an encyclopedic set of Linux tools. Designed for Web and enterprise server environments and efficient as a home and office platform, SuSE's distribution, surrounding features, effective configuration and intelligent design result in the most complete Linux solution available today.

SuSE Linux AG, headquartered in Germany, and SuSE Inc., based in Oakland, CA, are privately held companies focused entirely on supporting the Linux community, Open Source development and the GNU General Public License. With a workforce of over 450 people worldwide, SuSE has offices all over Europe, Venezuela and in the US. More than 50,000 business customers use SuSE Linux worldwide due to its stability and high quality.

SuSE received the "Show Favorites" award at LinuxWorld Expo 2000 in New York in February 2000 and March 1999. Further awards: Reader's Choice Awards: Linux Journal, 1/99; PC Professional 4/99; Computer Bild 6/99; PC Intern 4/99; PC Magazine 4/99, PC Answers 8/99. SuSE contributes considerably to Linux development projects such as the Linux kernel, glibc, XFree86, KDE, ISDN4Linux, ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) and USB (Universal Serial Bus). Additional information about SuSE can be found at http://www.suse.com.

Note to Editors: LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.