Dell has become the first PC maker to put its support behind Microsoft and Novell's effort to bridge the gap between Windows and Linux server computing.
The systems builder will buy certificates for Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server operating system from Microsoft -- certificates Microsoft had previously purchased from Novell under a pact signed in November 2006.
Dell will also launch a new marketing program to convince corporate Linux users who do not already use Dell's existing Linux (Red Hat) solutions to use Novell's operating system.
"Dell is the first major systems provider to align with Microsoft and Novell in this collaboration, and we intend to lead in this space," said Rick Becker, vice president of solutions at Dell Product Group, in a statement.
"This move is a huge success for the industry and, more specifically, for customers who haven't purchased Linux through Dell and who want to migrate to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for the IP assurance and interoperability benefits."
Last week, Dell was applauded by the open source community after announcing that it would begin selling personal computers with the Ubuntu Linux operating system pre-installed. This week's deal, however, is not likely to prove as popular.
Microsoft and Novell's pact, signed late last year, has seen the two companies collaborate on making Microsoft's proprietary software and Novell's open source-based software work together.
Microsoft now recommends Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Operating System for customers that want to run a mix of Windows and Linux. Both vendors are working on virtualisation technology to enable their operating systems to run in tandem as virtual machines on the same computer.
The two companies also guaranteed that they would not pursue each other over intellectual property disputes.
The Linux community has protested that the deal is Microsoft's way of asserting that the Linux operating system infringes on its intellectual property in some way.
Microsoft says it has sold over 40,000 new certificates for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server support in the first five months of the pact. Customers include AIG Technologies, Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, HSBC and Wal-Mart Stores.
Why does Dell need to buy into this? Novell clearly stated that the alliance was bridge building exercise and protection from intellectual property lawsuits from each other....