Linux: it's time to grasp the nettle

Many think Linux servers have been built only for the web - and, on the whole, they'd be right. IDC's research on server workloads shows it's used predominantly for web hosting and network architecture functions like caching and firewalls.

But if you reckon it's going to stay that way, you'd be wrong. Although these will continue to be the staple areas for Linux adoption, it's important both vendors and users recognise the technology's strengths in other areas like application development and client-side network tasks. A good example of these are email and file print applications.

Linux is not Unix

It is a popular misconception that Linux is the same as Unix. It's not. Linux differs from standard forms of Unix in a number of ways.

Linux is not owned by any organisations. In so far as it is owned at all, it's owned by people. The Linux source code and binary are freely available for downloading, licensed under the GNU Project's General Product Licence. It has been designed to comply with Open Group Unix standards - although it's not certified as such.

The misconception is understandable because of the parallels between Unix and Linux architectures. This similarity has an advantage, in that organisations running Linux have access to the large base of Unix system administrators and developers.

One of the biggest challenges for vendors offering Linux is re-educating IT managers about the open source model. While the user mentality is to seek legal accountability from suppliers, the open source model offers only community accountability.

IT managers may also be concerned about the lack of a traditional product "roadmap". But as the number of trusted hardware suppliers offering Linux mounts, perceptions of Linux accountability and roadmap viability should improve. Nevertheless, hardware vendors need to ensure customers have faith in their Linux partnerships.

Linux with everything?

Advocates of Linux are really good at making sweeping predictions about its future on every hardware platform. It's true Linux has the potential to move further afield - witness Compaq's recent release of a port of Linux onto the iPAQ handheld. However that doesn't automatically imply Linux will make it everywhere.

A key lesson from the server market is that a new operating system does not mean the extinction of existing systems. Just as the introduction of Unix did not lead to the elimination of mainframes and the introduction of NT did not remove Unix, it's likely that Linux will not displace NT but will define a new market.

Linux is an ideal platform for specific purpose-sealed appliances such as those used by small and medium businesses to connect to the internet, or in consumer network computers.

There is the strong association between Transmeta's Crusoe processor, which is likely to be targetted at these devices, and Linux. More specifically, Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, is working closely with Transmeta on Crusoe.

The three factors that make Linux useful for these appliances are its low cost, stability and openness. But the last of these has its downside. Openness to modification and peer review should in theory make Linux more secure than operating systems where the source code is unavailable for inspection and scrutiny. However, it requires knowledge and effort on the part of users and vendors to ensure their installation has not been tampered with, otherwise Linux is no more secure than any other system.

The bottom line

The biggest question surrounding Linux is whether you can make money out of selling it - vendors hope so, users hope not. So far Linux distributors like Red Hat and hardware vendors are not making a great deal. Nor has there been a marked increase in the value of the systems on which Linux runs.

Value will probably only be created by nurturing the Linux kernel and either extending it upwards by adding proprietary features such as advanced fault tolerance and improved systems management or shrinking it down and using it to capture growing appliance and device markets.

Only vendors who are nimble enough to address these opportunities will find financial success with Linux.