IBM offers app building kit for Linux servers

December 18, 2001 —

IBM Corp. said Tuesday it will begin offering independent software vendors free access to iSeries servers running the Linux operating system, in an attempt to stimulate development of new open-source applications for the server platform.

The company this week will launch a program called "Test Drive" to give application makers the tools needed to write, port and test business applications for its Linux platform. IBM said the program is aimed at independent software vendors (ISVs) that produce products for small and medium-sized businesses, which make up more than half of the 200,000 users of IBM's iSeries server.

Using the Internet to access iSeries servers provided at remote locations, ISVs can test applications to run on Linux server software distributions from SuSE Linux AG and Turbolinux Inc. A new version of Linux for the iSeries server from Red Hat Inc., which was made available for IBM's iSeries in November, won't be available for testing until January, the company said.

ISVs can test Linux applications on the iSeries server for 14 days free of charge. IBM said it will also offer a 30-day access plan "for a nominal fee." Exact pricing was not yet available.

In related news Monday, Red Hat announced the availability of a version of its Linux operating system for IBM's S/390 mainframe as well as IBM's Multiprise 3000 servers and zSeries 900 servers.

ITworld.com