HP Embraces Linux, Adds Red Hat to Covision Program

HP Embraces Linux, Adds Red Hat to Covision Program

Commercial Customers Now Will Be Able to Access Leading Linux-based Internet Applications, Support and Professional Services

Palo Alto, California, January 27, 1999

Hewlett-Packard Company today announced that it has expanded its Covision Internet Solutions program to include Linux-based applications through a strategic alliance with Red Hat Software, Inc., a Linux distributor and service provider.

In cooperation with Red Hat, HP now will provide customers with Internet solutions and services based on Linux through the Covision program.

Linux is a full-featured operating system with source code that is freely distributed and available to the general public. Red Hat distributes Linux with its award-winning Red Hat Linux product.

"Demand for applications and support for Linux is growing rapidly," said Greg Mihran, head of Internet Business Development for HP's Personal Systems Group. "Customers appreciate the ease and reliability of purchasing integrated Internet-based solutions through the Covision program, and through this alliance with Red Hat, they will now have the flexibility to select solutions built on the Linux operating-system platform."

The HP Covision Internet Solutions program combines leading Internet applications; HP technology and support; and services from Internet-ready resellers, systems integrators and ISPs to create integrated Internet solutions. The program now will build portfolios of application and channel partners (expected to be announced in the coming months) that provide technology and services on Linux platforms. One of the first such applications will be HP Firehunter, a family of Internet service-management solutions that also supports Red Hat Linux. HP Firehunter delivers Internet services with quality that can be assured and verified with service level agreement (SLA) reporting and management.

"HP has recognized the growing customer demand for Linux," said Steve Robins of the Yankee Group, a Boston-based market research firm. "Offering Linux-based Internet solutions through the Covision program provides customers with a safe way to effectively utilize Linux in their Internet plans."

The large and rapidly growing community of Linux users will benefit not only from access to the latest Internet applications, but also from the services and support necessary to implement these solutions quickly and easily.

"The Linux installed base has exploded, and there is heavy demand for accompanying software and support products," said Bob Young, chief executive officer, Red Hat Software, Inc. "Through the HP Covision program, we will be able to provide customers with reliable, effective Internet solutions and services for the Linux environment."

In a related announcement today, HP announced an alliance with Red Hat to support Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 on the Intel-based HP NetServer family. HP also intends to port the Linux operating system to HP IA-64-based platforms.

Detailed information on the Covision program strategy and partners can be found at http://www.hpcovision.com.

About HP
Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 124,600 employees and had revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.

Information about HP, its products and the company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

Editorial Contacts:

Amy Martin, Cunningham Communication, Inc. for HP
(650) 858-3861
amartin@ccipr.com

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HP Announces Linux Support on HP NetServer and Future IA-64 Architecture-Based Systems

ISPs and Corporate Networking Groups to Benefit from an HP and Red Hat Alliance for Service and Support

Palo Alto, California, January 27, 1999

Hewlett-Packard Company today announced that it is the first major vendor to offer support and integration services for one of the industry's fastest-growing operating systems, Linux.

To broaden support for additional operating systems on its Intel-based NetServer systems, HP has formed an alliance with Red Hat Software, Inc., one of the largest Linux distributors and service providers. The alliance will provide end-to-end service and support for HP customers. In addition, HP intends to port Linux to its platforms based on the IA-64 architecture.

"The density, performance and scalability of the HP NetServer LPr systems are integral to PSINet delivering business-class Internet services to customers," said Michael Mael, vice president of Applications and Web Services for PSINet Inc. "As PSINet evaluates the capabilities of Linux, HP is a clear choice of a hardware partner to forge ahead with new technologies."

The Ideal Solution Today and Tomorrow
The HP NetServer LPr, the first HP NetServer system to support Linux, delivers a fast, space-efficient and high-density rack solution that is ideal for ISPs and corporate IT departments. The system supports one or two Pentium II processors at 400MHz or 450MHz, two hot-swap hard-disk drives and up to 1GB of memory. HP plans worldwide Linux support across the NetServer family.

"Running Official Red Hat Linux V. 5.2 on an HP NetServer LPr system provides an ideal solution for ISPs or other IT organizations looking for reliable, effective and affordable computing solutions," said Bob Young, chief executive officer for Red Hat Software, Inc. "Red Hat has worked aggressively to build unrivaled customer service with our robust internal call-center and leading technical experts."

Strengthening its commitment to provide customers with complete solutions, HP's Global Integration and Installation Operation (GIIO) will offer installation and configuration services for Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 on the HP NetServer LPr system. GIIO will include the Official Red Hat Linux operating system, as well as other support software.

HP also announced a strategic alliance with Red Hat Software, Inc. to offer integrated Internet solutions for the Linux platform through Covision channel partners via its Covision program.

To provide customers with immediate solutions based on HP NetServer systems, as well as a longer-term strategy for future IA-64 architecture-based solutions, HP is porting the Linux operating system to HP IA-64 based platforms. Conforming to the established model for open-source code, HP intends to make this port available to the Linux community, as IA-64 specifications become public.

IDC Recognizes Fast-growing Linux Market
"IDC has found that Linux was the fastest-growing server operating environment in 1998 when shipments are considered," said Dan Kusnetzky, program director of International Data Corporation's Operating Environments and Serverware services. "HP appears to be taking this very seriously and has put together an exciting mix of products and services to address the needs of Linux users."

About HP NetServer Systems
The HP NetServer systems offer high-performing Intel-based server solutions to meet the needs of small and midsize businesses, workgroups, departments and enterprise customers. Gartner Group's recent Datapro user survey(1) ranked HP NetServer systems No. 1 in the PC server category for overall satisfaction, with HP NetServer systems receiving highest scores in the categories of performance, expandability/upgradability, reliability of the hardware, service and support, and total cost of ownership.

All HP NetServer systems come equipped with HP TopTools management software and HP OpenView ManageX/SE for NOS and application management, as well as the HP NetServer Navigator, featuring easy-to-use tools to configure, install and manage HP NetServer systems. Additional information on HP NetServer systems can be found at http://www.hp.com/netserver

Information about HP, its products and the company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

(1) 1998 User Ratings Survey of PC Servers, December 1998

Editorial Contacts:

Laura Lowell, HP
(408) 343-6274
laura_lowell@hp.com

Caroline Rice, Alexander Communications, Inc. for HP
(415) 923-1660 x130
crice@alexanderogilvy.com

Bryan Scanlon, Schwartz Communications for Red Hat
(781) 684-0770
redhat@schwartz-pr.com