Oracle is crowing that it is the first to release an enterprise-level application server for Linux, Oracle Internet Application Server 8I (iAS).
IBM, with WebSphere and DB2 having long been available on Linux, begs to differ. IBM and Oracle, along with Informix and Sybase, had previously released their workgroup sized database management systems (DBMS), such as Oracle 8i, on Linux. Regardless of who was first, the day of enterprise DBMS on Linux is dawning.
If you doubt that this is anything save Oracle making a public relations point, think again. The Linux version of Oracle iAS is available for order today. Its Windows NT/2000 brother won't be out until September. Oracle is dead serious about supporting Linux as an enterprise platform.
Oracle iAS comes in both standard and enterprise editions. Whether you're designing for a workgroup or a Fortune 500 company, Oracle iAS provides a wide variety of middleware services that are best suited for Web applications.
The Wireless Edition of Oracle iAS with Oracle Portal-to-Go enables developers to create applications that users can access with any data enabled wireless devices such as a Palm VII or a browser equipped mobile phone. With, according to Evans Data Corp's recent survey of DBMS developers, more than 33.5 percent of developers are already targeting wireless for their applications, and more than 52 percent interested in wireless DBMS middleware, this added functionality will be an added incentive for DBMS administrators to look to Oracle iAS and Linux.
Oracle will be selling its software through its usual channels. In addition, it will be making Oracle iAS available from Caldera Systems, SuSE, TurboLinux and VA Linux Systems. These companies will offer trial versions and databases of Oracle iAS. Users can then upgrade to the full version.
Notably absent from the list was Red Hat. Paul McNamara, VP, Products and Platforms, explains, "We're currently evaluating the effectiveness of the program and the benefit to Red Hat customers, and we'll base our level of involvement on that. We have a significant relationship with Oracle, as one of our investors, and we'll continue to spend our energy on Red Hat/Oracle programs that benefit our customers."
Other companies, including Linux hardware power VA Linux, have already made its decision and it's for the Oracle iAS program. One can argue that that is premature because Linux might not be ready for the enterprise. Oracle, however, has already made its vote on the question.
