Make the Move from UNIX to Linux

Edge Computing and Infrastructure Services

Client and End-User Devices

Infrastructure and Edge Servers

• Proxy
• VPN & Firewall
• Directory
• File/Print
• Web
• Email
• NAS

Business Application Servers

• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Supply Chain Management
• Customer Relationship Management
• Human Resources

Enterprise Database Servers

• Database
• Data Warehouse
• OLTP/OLAP

Solaris to Linux TCO calculator +

Edge computing is a core component of every IT organization. Sitting on the outside, or "edge" of the data center, these servers run a variety of essential tasks that connect the enterprise to its business partners in a secure and reliable fashion. These edge servers–Web servers, firewall servers, file and print servers, storage servers and mail servers–often comprise the largest segment of a company's IT infrastructure.

When these servers were originally deployed IT administrators chose UNIX* as the operating system. At that time, UNIX offered superior reliability and security over all other commercial operating systems. Unfortunately, that reliability came at a price. In today's enterprise, UNIX systems are among the most expensive systems to purchase and maintain.

With the maturation of Linux* into an enterprise–class operating system, IT executives now have a choice and if your company originally deployed these services on the UNIX platform, it may be time for a change. Savvy IT professionals are rapidly moving to Linux for edge–computing and infrastructure workloads. Unlike UNIX, Linux delivers a significant cost advantage. It has become the reference platform for enterprise computing and is the current focus of widespread developer efforts. Linux is compatible with thousands of existing applications and brings security, reliability and affordability to edge computing. Linux currently supports the following infrastructure services and workloads:

By migrating to Linux, you can deliver the same set of Web and edge services (Apache, DNS, Samba, CUPS, SMTP and more) to your end users, with the same levels of performance, reliability, scalability and security–but at much lower levels of annual investment. Savings of up to 80 percent for hardware, maintenance and software expenses are not uncommon.

Linux can be deployed on all the major enterprise hardware architectures, including x86 systems, clusters, grid environments and mainframes. For new deployments or IT initiatives, Linux is often the preferred operating system.

If you are still running your edge servers on UNIX, then you should consider switching to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from Novell. You'll be able to replace your expensive UNIX boxes and infrastructure with a rugged enterprise-class Linux operating system that delivers industry–leading reliability, scalability and security. Best of all, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is backed by Novell. With global scale and a wealth of enterprise experience, Novell has an established track record of success in the data center.