OStatic

I've written about Likewise Software a few times previously. Like many open source companies, Likewise offers a completely open, free (both libre, and gratis) version of its security and authentication software that's designed to simplify managing mixed networks. Up to this point, however, it's only been available for physical environments, not virtual servers.

Come June, this will no longer be the case. Citrix has integrated Likewise's Open software with its XenServer virtualization software, so that virtual servers running in mixed network environments can be secured just as easily as physical machines.

Though much of the fanfare in the Ubuntu camp seems to center on the desktop version, its Server Edition has been steadily attracting interest -- and new users. Thanks to the requests of these users and Ubuntu partners, Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, has announced it is offering its first official training course dedicated solely to the Ubuntu Server Edition.

There's another new twist, however. While this course will be offered at various partner training centers in June, it will also be offered through a virtual classroom.

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, and the analysts at RedMonk presented the results of a recent survey conducted on Ubuntu's use in server deployments. Nearly 7,000 people (representing the same number of organizations) participated in the survey, which was promoted on Ubuntu's web site and several Linux server-specific forums.

Canonical's marketing head, Gerry Carr, says that the survey is essential reading for any organization using (or considering using) Ubuntu's Server Edition. After taking a closer look at the survey, I'd recommend it to anyone interested in current server technologies, or where the server market is headed -- even if Ubuntu Server isn't part of the equation.

It's no secret at this point a few of us at OStatic are passionate about the use and adoption of open source software in educational environments. Education is an area where the use of open source software feels so natural, but hardware lifecycles, the timing of support and license expirations, and budget crunches slow down the adoption process for many educational institutions.

The Brazilian government officially embraced open source software in its schools, announcing it had selected Userful,Positivo, and ThinNetworks to supply 324,000 virtualized desktops in each of the country's municipalities. This is not only the largest deployment of virtualized desktops in the world -- it's also the largest single deployment of Linux desktops.

Today IBM announced that it has teamed with Canonical and Virtual Bridges to offer a Linux-based virtual desktop computing environment. With this product, IBM hopes to emphasize and increase adoption of its Lotus collaboration software, as well as promote the use of Linux (Canonical's Ubuntu) by way of Virtual Bridges' VERDE desktop virtualization platform.

The virtual desktop uses IBM's Open Collaboration Client Solution software, and includes Lotus Notes and Lotus Symphony (Symphony specifically uses the Open Document Format). While whether or not including Lotus applications will draw businesses away from purchasing licenses for costlier office/collaboration suites is as yet unknown, the Lotus name recognition coupled with the virtualized desktop might garner at least a second, serious, look from businesses wrestling with moving to more open platforms.