HP First Major Vendor to Certify, Integrate and Support Open Source Software for Customers

Business Wire, June 1, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2004

HP Signs Agreements with MySQL AB and JBoss to

Deliver Customers More Choice with Open Source

Applications on Standards-Based Servers Running Linux

HP (NYSE:HPQ)(Nasdaq:HPQ) today achieved another industry first in its Linux and open source initiative by signing agreements with MySQL AB and JBoss(R) to certify, support and jointly sell their open source software solutions on HP's standards-based servers. This follows the recent announcement of HP's Linux Reference Architectures, the first integrated software stacks that allow customers to leverage open source technology to reduce IT cost and complexity.

HP offers two types of Linux Reference Architectures: Open source-based offerings that include software from MySQL, JBoss, Apache and OpenLDAP; and, for high-end enterprise customers deploying on Linux, commercial solutions based on software from BEA and Oracle.

"HP has long been the leading provider of open source solutions on standards-based servers that allow customers to achieve greater value and return on investment," said Martin Fink, vice president of Linux, HP. "We are pleased to build upon our robust commercial Linux Reference Architectures to now also offer open source solutions with JBoss and MySQL, addressing a different segment of the market. These agreements with MySQL and JBoss complement our agreements with BEA and Oracle, allowing HP to provide customers with the broadest choice of certified open source applications and solutions in the industry."

As part of the agreements, both MySQL and JBoss have joined the HP Partner Program and will receive joint testing and engineering support on HP's market-leading standards-based servers. In addition, HP is offering the highest levels of support for joint customers of both MySQL and JBoss, which offers JBoss Professional Open Source 24X7 Production Support for its Java(TM) Application Server.

"HP's commitment to certify and support open source technology on its own products is a step forward in making open source a safe and cost-effective option of organizations," said Dennis Cromwell, director, University Information Systems, Indiana University. "As an organization already deploying systems on HP and JBoss solutions, this will enhance the level of support we need from both companies."

Both the MySQL open source database and JBoss open source application server are designed for customers with basic IT needs who are looking to benefit from the flexibility and control offered by an open source solution. Open source software allows users to view and freely modify the software source code. Certified on industry-standard HP ProLiant and HP Integrity servers, these Linux-based solutions provide customers with a stable platform for basic databases and business applications software.

HP is now the first and only major vendor to offer its customers a complete integrated, supported and easily deployed open source software stack on industry-standard platforms running Linux and the first to define, characterize and comprehensively support specific Linux-based solution stacks. Known as Linux Reference Architectures, HP's two sets of architectures - both the commercial and open source solution sets - provide a high level of scalability and performance, better ease of deployment and lower cost and lower risk for enterprise and SMB customers than a non HP-supported solution.

The open source-based Linux Reference Architectures are based on open source software from MySQL, JBoss, Apache and OpenLDAP, while the high-end commercial Linux Reference Architectures are based on software from BEA and Oracle. All are deployed on industry-standard HP ProLiant servers and are tailored to customers exploring easy-to-deploy, tested and supported solutions as well as those transitioning from older environments on platforms such as Solaris and AIX. The architectures are expected to be available on HP Integrity servers in the third quarter of this year.

Bredbandsbolaget (B2), Sweden's largest broadband Internet service provider, chose a large MySQL Cluster configuration on HP ProLiant Linux servers, enjoying a price-to-performance ratio significantly lower than other offerings. The reliability of ProLiant servers combined with sub-second failover times of MySQL Cluster provides B2's broadband and VoIP customers high levels of service availability.

"MySQL's relationship with HP will make it even easier for businesses worldwide to acquire, deploy and realize the benefits MySQL on HP platforms," said Marten Mickos, chief executive officer, MySQL AB. "HP is taking a leadership role in demonstrating the strength of open source software to cost-effectively support enterprise computing, building on Linux as a cohesive stack. MySQL is pleased to be included in both the HP open source and commercial Linux Reference Architectures, extending customers' choice and flexibility for taking advantage of MySQL's performance and reliability on a variety of HP platforms."