Re: [cobalt-users] Sun considering a shift away from Sun Linux to RedHat/Suse

[Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Jalon Q. Zimmerman" wrote:

> Sun considering a shift away from Sun Linux to RedHat/Suse.
> 
> http://netscape.com.com/2100-1104-991412.html?type=pt
> 
> more fuel for the Cobalt product bonfire out back of the Sun headquarters...
> 
> I think that wraps it up for the "Sun is going to port Cobalt OS to Sun
> Linux" theory.

Cobalt built their distribution from Red Hat Linux version 6.x, long
before they were bought by Sun.  Sun used a more recent distribution to
create Linux for the 550.  And then moved the programmers (those that
were left) to Sun, to create Sun Linux, which first came out on the LX50
(which originally was to have been branded as a Cobalt box; the
designation was changed at the last second, even after publicity photos
and drawings had been finished).

While a few publications have reported that Sun would sell their own
brand of Linux separately from hardware, I've never believed that.

> 1. Sun wants to sell its hardware, not Intel hardware. We all know that the
> low-end Sun Linux server line is a direct shot at the Dell PowerEdge series.

And now it looks like they've begun to realize that a respected brand of
Linux will help them sell their hardware.

> 2. Sun drops its Sun Linux OS because pretty much everyone agrees that
> maintaining yet another Linux distro is not the answer.

Certainly ISVs agree, and ISVs are important; if they don't support a
distribution with software, the distribution doesn't go anywhere.

> 3. We were hoping that Sun would develop and base future Cobalt hardware or
> even a software-only product on top of Sun Linux. That would be better than
> nothing right?

I suppose some of us were hoping that.  Many of us have known for a
while now that Sun has no intention of continuing any Cobalt
development; they've already disbanded the team.

> Can we assume that it isnt in the best interest of Sun to develop and market
> a pure software, RedHat/SuSe, web appliance management solution?

You can assume it, as long as you consider the words that make up
"assume" <smile>.  Sun doesn't assume that.  Sun has left the web
appliance market behind.

> Its a perfect core product for a small, focused software company. But for
> someone the size of Sun, its in danger of falling between the cracks. Its
> not like the backend was written in Java. That would place it squarely in
> the Java product budget and lineup. But something written in Perl? Not a
> chance...
> 
> Also, what happens to all those programmers and syseng people who were
> pulled off of the Raq 550 maintenance and are now doing Sun Linux work?

_All_ ??  There weren't that many of them.  I'd guess some of them will
stay at Sun to port certain features to Sun hardware (for example for
efficiency; many hardware vendors do that, especially for the kernel)
and to support it; you really can't just say "Go talk to Red Hat" if
something that works on Red Hat on generic servers doesn't work on Sun
Hardware.

The rest will probably join all the others that have been let go.

> (if this doesnt start a good thread, I dont know what will... <ducks and
> runs for cover...>)

<smile>

Jeff
-- 
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