UnitedLinux to Deliver Enhanced Linux Platform for Telecommunications Carriers

January 16, 2003


Works with HP, IBM and Intel to enhance capabilities to create advanced voice, data and wireless applications

WAKEFIELD, Mass.

UnitedLinux today announced plans to integrate the full OSDL Carrier Grade Linux (CGL) 1.1 feature set for UnitedLinux 1.0, delivering for the first time enhanced abilities to develop and deploy advanced carrier-grade applications in a standardized Linux environment.

The CGL features will be available as a Service Pack in the first quarter of 2003. The product as well as supplemental services will be provided through the UnitedLinux partners, Conectiva S.A., The SCO Group (NASDAQ:SCOX), SUSE Linux AG and Turbolinux, Inc.

Developed by UnitedLinux integration partner SUSE Linux with HP, IBM and Intel, the features -- targeted initially for use on Intel-based hardware platforms -- enable telecommunications providers to develop and deploy new products and services on standards-based, modular communications platforms. The telecommunications industry has very specific, high standards and demands for performance, reliability and availability of IT infrastructure. For existing applications such as Operating and Business Support Systems, Gateway, Signaling and Management Servers, as well as for next generation voice, data, and wireless solutions, the CGL features will enable more rapid, cost-effective deployment of advanced, reliable applications with enhanced performance - at significantly lower cost.

"We are pleased to announce this significant new feature set for the UnitedLinux 1.0 operating system only a short time after the introduction of our first product," said UnitedLinux General Manager, Paula Hunter. "The delivery of UnitedLinux version 1.0 on schedule and a first-quarter release of these follow-on enhancements show that we can and will respond quickly to market demand."

The enhanced product incorporates technologies defined by the Carrier Grade Linux Working Group, an initiative of the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL, www.osdl.org), whose members include SUSE Intel Corporation, IBM, HP and other industry leaders focused on developing Linux-based software components for robust communications products.

"Adoption of standards-based modular communications platforms provides equipment manufacturers and carriers the ability to cost-effectively develop and deploy new services and solutions in an environment of severe resource constraints," said Ron Peck, director of marketing, Communications Platforms, Intel Network Processing Group. "The addition of carrier grade features to UnitedLinux, coupled with Intel-based platforms, solutions and software, provides further depth to a broad ecosystem of standards-based communications solutions providers."

"Telecommunications service providers and network equipment providers are at the forefront of developing high availability solutions on Linux," said Hernan Vega, vice president, IBM Global Telecommunications Industry. "UnitedLinux's implementation of carrier-grade Linux features combined with IBM products and services will help enable a new ecosystem of communications technology providers develop and deploy next generation services at a lower cost and with greater flexibility. This represents a milestone for Telco and other high availability markets intending to use standard commercially available components on Linux."

"Having the capabilities that OSDL Carrier Grade Linux offers available now is critical for Linux adoption in the telecommunications industry, as it enables telecom companies to offer new Linux-based products in real time," said Steve Geary, director of Linux and Open Source Lab, HP Business Critical Systems. "HP has a significant base in the telco industry and we see today's announcement as a reinforcement of UnitedLinux's commitment to extending the availability of Linux solutions in the market."

"New technology and multimedia requirements are driving rapid change in the communications market," said Timothy D. Witham, Lab Director, OSDL. "UnitedLinux's support of OSDL Carrier Grade Linux Specifications shows their commitment to making Linux the preferred operating system of telecommunications suppliers and users."

"The availability of OSDL Carrier Grade Linux features for United Linux enables Telecom Equipment Manufacturers and Carriers to transition to commercial, off-the-shelf solutions which reduce development costs and time-to-market," said Boris Nalbach, Chief Technology Officer, SUSE Linux. "And by providing scalability ranging from soft real-time systems to backend processing, customers for the first time can use a single platform for most telco applications -- significantly reducing Total Cost of Ownership by reducing needed IT skill sets."


About CGL

The OSDL Carrier Grade Linux Specification defines feature requirements that will make Linux a viable option for telecom equipment and service providers. These enhancements are defined in the categories of open standards compliance, platform requirements, high availability, serviceability, development tools support, performance and security.

About the Carrier Grade Linux Working Group

The Carrier Grade Linux Working Group is an industry forum operating under the guidance of the Open Source Development Lab. Supported by a global consortium of industry leaders, the Open Source Development Lab (OSDL) is an independent, vendor-neutral, non-profit organization dedicated to enabling Linux and Linux-based programming for enterprise and carrier-class functionality worldwide.

About UnitedLinux

UnitedLinux is a partnership of industry-leading Linux companies combining their intellectual property, geographic mind share, sales, support and marketing expertise to produce a uniform distribution of Linux designed for business. UnitedLinux applies the collaborative development model of open source to the business model to enable a one-stop shop for developers, partners and customers to install, support and maintain quality business solutions based on Linux anywhere in the world. UnitedLinux is actively recruiting membership for both industry software developers and those who provide Linux as an integral part of their business solutions. For more information, visit www.unitedlinux.com or call UnitedLinux at +1-781-876-8989.

###
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Intel is a trademark or registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Editors' Note: Hear additional announcements at the UnitedLinux press luncheon (12:30 PM Eastern Time) and news conference (1:15 PM Eastern Time) on January 22 at LinuxWorld, Room 1E18, Javits Center, New York. Call or email Margot Rodger, 781-876-6299, mrodger@virtualmgmt.com , to register.

For additional information:
Margot Rodger
UnitedLinux
781-876-6299
mrodger@virtualmgmt.com

About Novell
Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell® Nsure™), Web application development (Novell exteNd™) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise™), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell NgageSM). Active in the open source community with its Ximian and SUSE Linux brands, Novell is firmly committed to open source and offers comprehensive Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. Novell's vision of one Net - a world without information boundaries - helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.

Novell is a registered trademarks; Nsure, exteNd and Nteprise are trademarks; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE Linux AG. * All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.