OSDL Adds Data Center Linux Group

Group released documents outlining goals and timelines for establishing sets of standards for running Linux in data centers.

SAN FRANCISCO—The Open Source Development Lab today at the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo here announced several milestones in its mission to take Linux further into the enterprise. The OSDL, a consortium of major software and hardware companies, including IBM, Computer Associates International Inc., Intel Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and others announced the formation of a new working group, the Data Center Linux Working Group, as well as milestones for its Carrier Grade Linux Working Group. The new Data Center group released the OSDL Data Center Linux Technical Scope White Paper and the OSDL Data Center Linux Requirements Definition 0.5. Both documents lay out the goals and timelines for establishing sets of standards for running Linux in data centers. Final versions of the Data Center requirements are due in Q3 of 2003.
The Data Center Working Group also announced the formation of a Financial Services Initiative for targeting data center needs in that industry, and plans to form manufacturing and health care initiatives in the future. The OSDLs Carrier Grade Linux Working Group, formed earlier this year, today also released three milestones: the OSDL Carrier Grade Linux Requirements Definition 1.0; the OSDL Carrier Grade Linux Architecture Specification 1.0; and the OSDL Carrier Grade Linux Validation Specification 1.0. Final documents are also due in Q3 next year. OSDL members say such standards initiatives are important as more businesses look for high-end enterprise computing alternatives. "We need to provide a choice for businesses which need to take Linux beyond what it is today—primarly Web servers and application servers," said OSDL President Ross Mauri, of IBM. "We need to push to make Linux stronger and more reliable for business." The OSDL, with 22 members, also announced two new members today: Force Computers will join the Data Center and Carrier Grade working groups, and Ericsson will join the Carrier Grade working group. Related Stories:

Carrier-Grade Linux Makes Headway

More LinuxWorld Coverage