"IDC believes software appliances will play an important role in the
future of application deployments," said
The SUSE Appliance Program will enable ISVs to bundle their applications with customized versions of the SUSE Linux Enterprise platform and to deliver the bundle as a software appliance, which can be run natively on x86-based hardware, or as a virtual appliance, which includes a paravirtualized kernel designed to deliver optimal performance in a virtualized environment. Virtual appliances built in the SUSE Appliance Program will run on customers' choice of hypervisor, including Xen*, VMware* ESX and Microsoft* Hyper-V, as both a paravirtualized and fully virtualized guest.
Through the SUSE Appliance Program, Novell will collaborate with ISVs to
develop the technology necessary to deliver applications in appliance format.
IDC estimates the appliance market will be nearly
Just enough Operating System
SUSE Linux Enterprise JeOS -- or "just enough operating system" -- is a minimized edition of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server which ISVs can use as a starting point for developing appliances. SUSE Linux Enterprise JeOS is built from the same codebase as SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and applications certified to run on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server will carry that certification onto the JeOS platform, as well. As a result, ISVs can more easily support the complete appliance for their enterprise customers.
In addition, Novell announced today it will officially participate in the LimeJeOS project, which is an existing community-led project building a minimized version of the openSUSE(R) Linux* distribution.
The term JeOS refers to a customized operating system that precisely fits the needs of a particular application. The application's OS requirements can be determined manually or with an analytical tool. JeOS includes only the pieces of an operating system required to support a particular application and any other third-party components contained in the appliance. This makes the appliance more efficient, smaller, more secure and higher performing than an application running under a full, general-purpose operating system.
A key component of the SUSE Appliance Program, the beta release of SUSE Linux Enterprise JeOS is available in several virtual image formats, including VMware VMDK, Xen and as a raw hard disk image. A Microsoft VHD format of SUSE Linux Enterprise JeOS is planned for release later this year after Microsoft releases Hyper-V.
ISV support
Novell has started an early adopter program for ISVs who are already working with SUSE Linux Enterprise JeOS.
George Mooseiner, CEO of SEP, said, "The SUSE Appliance Program offers the innovation and flexibility we need to develop and bundle our SEP sesam Backup & Disaster Recovery applications in either physical or virtual environments. The ability to do so with the virtualization capabilities of SUSE Linux Enterprise addresses what customers require in simplifying application deployments and reducing overall costs."
Availability
A beta version of SUSE Linux Enterprise JeOS is available for download at http://www.novell.com/linux/appliance. Details about becoming an early adopter in the SUSE Appliance Program can also be found at that site. The production version of SUSE Linux Enterprise JeOS is scheduled for release later this year. LimeJeOS is available at http://www.opensuse.org/limejeos.
SUSE Linux Enterprise is the best-engineered, most interoperable platform for mission-critical computing from the desktop to the data center. For more information on SUSE Linux Enterprise offerings from Novell(R), visit http://www.novell.com/linux.
About Novell
Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) delivers the best engineered, most interoperable Linux platform and a portfolio of integrated IT management software that helps customers around the world reduce cost, complexity and risk. With our infrastructure software and ecosystem of partnerships, Novell harmoniously integrates mixed IT environments, allowing people and technology to work as one. For more information, visit http://www.novell.com.
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SOURCE Novell, Inc.