14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft and SUSE, formerly Novell, renewed a deal which expanded the Windows and Linux interoperability marriage to almost a decade.
Many called controversial an agreement between Microsoft and Novell dating back to November 2006, which was designed to not only bridge Windows Server and SUSE Linux interoperability-wise, but also set up to cover intellectual property royalties, that the Linux vendor agreed to pay to Microsoft.
An important aspect of the initial Windows and Linux agreement was IP assurance, the guarantee that all Novell customers running the SUSE distribution of the open source operating system, would be safeguarded by default against any problems related to the Microsoft patents that the software giant says Linux is infringing on.
In the first five years of their collaboration, the duo worked with over 725 customers around the world. Novell, and now SUSE (after the Linux vendor was acquired by The Attachmate Group Inc.) have been providing their customers with subscription support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS etc.
The renewed deal between the two companies expands their partnership until January 1, 2016, or almost ten years.
Just as it was the case with the previous agreement, Microsoft bought new SUSE Linux Enterprise certificates for those companies working with the duo that need Linux support from SUSE. This time around, the Redmond giant committed to spending no less than $100 million in SUSE Linux Enterprise certificates.
IP assurance aside, customers with heterogeneous environments worldwide have benefited from the collaboration between Microsoft and Novell/SUSE whether in relation to high performance computing workloads, virtualization offerings, or mixed source data center management.
“Today’s announcement is a response to sentiments expressed by customers far and wide that Microsoft and SUSE begin crafting the next chapter of the cross-platform interoperability story,” said Sandy Gupta, General Manager, Open Solutions Group.
“I look forward to seeing the renewal of this relationship take shape over the next four years, and encourage you to keep your eyes on Microsoft and SUSE 2.0.”
Speaking about the future of their collaboration with SUSE, Gupta added:
“I expect our technical collaboration specific to cross-platform virtualization and systems management will serve as a critical building block in the very heterogeneous world that exists within today’s data center as we strive to help our customers embrace the Cloud.”