* Linux moves from single- to multi-processor boxes, and blades, research says
As Linux boxes have taken on more tasks in business computer rooms over the years, the kinds of hardware users are deploying on Linux has evolved from simple PC servers to more advanced dual- and four-way processor systems, a recent report says.
Research firm IDC says that uniprocessor systems have grown steadily over the last several years, with an average shipment growth rate of 37% between 1999 and 2003. But the fastest growing Linux server types are dual-processor boxes. These machines have seen an 89% growth rate over the same period, and now represent 74% of all Linux server shipments made by vendors. But beyond dual-processor Linux servers, the growth drops off. Only 4% of Linux shipments are now on server hardware with four to eight processors. The research firm says these types of systems are still most popular with users of proprietary Unix operating systems.
IDC says this trend is due to the expanding role of Linux servers, moving from file and print servers to more advanced tasks, such as database and enterprise application serving.
As for Linux server form factors, Linux is more prevalent out of the box – that is, on blade servers instead of stand-alone or rack-mount systems. IDC says that about half of all blade servers now shipped are sent out the door with Linux. Linux is shipped on 20% of rack-mount systems, and only on 11% of stand-alone server boxes.
Of course, this market research only reflects new servers shipped out of vendors’ and integrators’ warehouses. While most business aren’t buying stand-alone server boxes, odds are there are a few of these machines running in many organizations, as sys admins give older Windows or OS/2 boxes new life as Linux servers.
