Novell launches SuSE Linux 9.1 Professional, Personal

Novell last week announced two versions of SuSE Linux aimed at servers, PCs and workstations.

Novell announced SuSE Linux 9.1 Professional and Personal at the Cebit show in Hanover, Germany last week – the home turf of SuSE, which was acquired by Novell in November. Both product versions are based on Version 2.6 of the Linux kernel, which was released for production earlier this year.

SuSE Linux 9.1 Professional is targeted at users looking for a Linux platform for file, database, e-mail or Web serving; or as a network-service node, such as a firewall or VPN platform. The software runs on either 32-bit or 64-bit processors from AMD and Intel. The product also includes CDs containing over 2,500 open-source packages.

The Personal version is targeted as a pure desktop PC operating system and comes with both the GNOME 2.4.2 and KDE 3.2.1 desktop environments. The Personal version also takes advantages of PC-based advancements in the 2.6 kernel, such as improved music and audio playback features and an improved power management for extending the battery life of Linux-based laptops.

Novell shook up the Linux market in November 2003 when it bought SuSE, the leading alternative enterprise Linux distribution to Red Hat, for around $210 million in cash. The move followed Novell’s strategy to incorporate Linux as a key technology, as Linux gains have overshadowed lagging NetWare server deployments. Earlier in 2003, Novell also bought Boston-based Linux desktop and management software vendor Ximian, giving the company both an open-source server and client portfolio.