Why Linux solutions from IBM? (page 1 of 3)

10. Linux solutions are more flexible than Windows giving customers control IBM and our partners provide best of breed alternatives for infrastructure and applications, not tying you to one vendor for your operating system, middleware and applications. Microsoft has forced customers to migrate to Windows 2003 on their own schedule; as of January 1, 2005 Windows NT and Exchange 5.5 customers no longer have standard Microsoft support.

9. Linux is faster than Windows" With Linux, you get to choose if you want speed over danger; with Server 2003 and IIS 6, like it or lump it, you're stuck with a very fast, very dangerous Web server." ("Enterprise Linux vs. Server 2003: Smackdown!" eWeek 9/4/03). "Samba, now in the much improved Version 3, should do more than keep up with Server 2003; based on past results, where Samba kicked rump and took names." ("Enterprise Linux vs. Server 2003: Smackdown!" eWeek 9/4/03)."Samba 3 runs rings around Windows Server 2003 in file serving performance." ("Samba beats Windows" IT Week 10/12/03).

8. Linux is secure and reliable Infoworld Survey reports that Reliability, Security and Performance -- in that order-- are the three top criteria points that customers consider when opting for Linux. IBM ranks #1 in all three categories - Reliability 42%, Security 47% and Performance 36% ("Linux and the Brands that Deliver" Infoworld 2/15/05).Robert Francis Group found security levels in Linux generally exceeded those in Windows, providing a more secure and manageable environment out of the box with significantly more functionality in terms of security integration and management.

Moreover, although software bugs are not unique to any one product, Linux systems are rarely the target of attacks, and those attacks tend to be limited in scope because user accounts and server applications do not (and should not) have access to the facilities viruses use to infect systems and destroy data. ("Choosing Secure Platforms in the Enterprise", Robert Francis Group. March 2004).

Patch Management under Linux is often easier on account of the separation of kernel and user space, which reduces the number of potential significant security exploits. ("A Comparative Analysis of Linux vs. Windows Security Capabilities" Stacey Quandt, 5/6/2004).92% of Linux systems have never been infected by a Virus. (Evans Data Corporation 7/28/04).

The Linux kernel programming code is better and more secure than the programming code of most proprietary software. Based on a four-year analysis of the 5.7 million lines of Linux source code conducted by five Stanford University researchers. (Wired News, 12/04).According to the Honeynet Project, the average Linux system lasts three months before being compromised. Unpatched Windows systems continue to be compromised more quickly, sometimes within minutes

7. Skilled Linux developers and staff are readily available. There are over 1.2 million developers with Linux skills. (Evans Data Corp).There have been were 17,861 Linux applicants posted as of Jan 14, 2005. (Monster.com).IBM has the most comprehensive team with the widest and deepest Linux skills of any other vendor. IBM has contributed significantly to the Linux kernel, scalability, reliability, performance, security certification, networking, test and documentation. IBM has more than 7,000 services professionals working with Linux.

6. Linux growth is fueling opportunity Linux shipments grew 16% in 2002, and 35% in 2004 according to IDC (IDC Server Tracker 4Q04).According to IDC, Linux server shipments are showing the fastest growth rates by revenue and unit worldwide.