HP Offers 24x7 Linux Support

By JEFFREY SCHWARTZ

Hewlett-Packard Co. today rolled out a new support program to give IT managers 24x7 support for systems based on the Linux operating system.

The program, available immediately, offers one-stop shopping for Linux support, regardless of the hardware it is installed on, according to company officials. HP is also offering support for all versions of Linux, including those distributed by Caldera, Pacific HiTech, Red Hat Software and SuSE Holding AG.

Though the company is hardly the first to offer Linux support, officials believe its pricing model will be attractive to organizations that don't want to purchase enterprise support packages.

HP's service, priced at $130 per server for unlimited telephone and electronic support, is similar to the software support programs HP offers for Windows NT and Unix. In addition, HP is now offering training to IT support technicians.

"Some of our customers want more in-house expertise than they have today," said Kristy Ward, HP's Linux support marketing manager.

Under the support program, administrators can send queries electronically or make unlimited phone calls to HP's Electronic Support Center and HP Response Centers respectively.

HP's latest Linux initiative follows a corporate-wide commitment to the open-source platform made last month. The company already offers its Intel-based NetServer platform on Linux and has announced plans to offer PA-RISC servers that run Linux as well.

Also under development is a server based on Intel's forthcoming IA-64 architecture, code-named Merced. HP's Firehunter service-level management application is also available on Linux.