IBM reportedly will invest $1bn in Linux and other open source technologies for its Power system servers.
The firm is expected to announce the news at the Linuxcon 2013 conference in New Orleans, pledging to spend $1bn over five years on Linux and related open source technologies.
The software technology will be used on IBM’s Power line of servers, which are based on the chip technology of the same name and used for running large scale systems in data centres.
Previously IBM Power systems have mostly run IBM’s proprietary AIX version of Unix, though some used in high performance computing (HPC) configurations have run Linux.
If true, this will make the second time IBM coughs up a $1bn investment in Linux. IBM gave the open source OS the same vote of confidence around 13 years ago.
According to the Wall Street Journal, IBM isn’t investing in Linux to convert its existing AIX customers, but instead Linux will help support data centre applications driving big data, cloud computing and analytics.
“We continue to take share in Unix, but it’s just not growing as fast as Linux,” said IBM VP of Power development Brad McCredie.
The $1bn is expected to go mainly for facilities and staffing to help Power system users move to Linux, with a new centre being opened in France especially to help manage that transition.
Full details are planned to be announced at Linuxcon later today.
Last month, IBM swallowed Israeli security firm Trusteer to boost its customers’ cyber defences with the company’s anti-hacking technology.
Announcing that it had signed a definitive agreement with Trusteer to create a security lab in Israel, IBM said it planned to focus on mobile and application security, counter-fraud and malware detection staffed by 200 Trusteer and IBM researchers.
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