IBM pledges $1 billion to expand Linux R&D

Computer operating system Linux has a strong hold on data centres handling heavy-duty computing jobs and computer giant IBM is looking to capitalise on that. The latter has now pledged $1 billion to increase expansion as well as integrate the popular OS onto its hardware, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The computer giant has now announced that it will space the pledged amount over a period of four or five years into Linux as well and other relevant open-source technologies to be used on its Power line of server systems. The systems are based on the internally developed chip technology which goes by the same moniker.
 
IBM has reportedly been one of Linux’s biggest supporters for quite some time now. Back in 2000, they pledged $1 billion to support the OS as it was beginning to pick up. Since then, Linux has grown to become the go-to operating system for many servers, especially those used by big Internet names like Google.

IBM has pledged $1 billion to help expand and integrate Linux (Image credit: cnmeonline)

Many of these machines are x86 servers, which are based on the chip design sold by Intel and AMD. While IBM also sells such machines, the company has been integrating Linux to be used on its mainframes and Power servers. The former now wants to increase the reach of its Linux-running Power line-up. Back in the day, IBM used their own variant of the Unix to run the show. The report notes, though, that while the sales of hardware running Unix are lagging, the sales of Linux-based machines are rising.

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While talking about this, Brad McCredie, an IBM Vice President of Power development told the source that, “We continue to take share in Unix, but it’s just not growing as fast as Linux.” And that growth is based on the fact that Linux popularised the open-source model. Open-source basically allows users and others to view and modify the underlying instruction used to make a program. And the software comes with free versions as well, a definite plus point for companies that need to buy servers by the thousands. 

Another benefit of Linux is the number of add-on programs that it comes with. Most of those add-ons can be used on Power-based machines after an automatic step called recompiling. While talking about this, McCredie said, “Once you get to an open software stack there is innovation taking place that people do covet.”

And IBM’s pledge should go a long way in helping out that innovation. Most of the $1 billion will be spent on facilities and personnel to help Power users move to Linux. The company will also be setting up one new centre to facilitate the same. Another thing that the company has in mind is a “development cloud.” This is basically an installation of Power-based servers operated by IBM that allows customers remote usage at no charge to help build and test Linux applications. The development cloud will also be used to work on applications based on Unix and the operating system called IBM i.

The computer giant reportedly announced last month that it would allow companies to license IBM Power microprocessor design that is currently only found in IBM’s servers. The source indicates that the computer giant will formally announce the investment at LinuxCon, an annual conference for developers being held later this week. While Linux is best known for its work inside servers, loyalists are quick to point out that the OS is integral to Android as well, which is currently the most used smartphone OS in the world.