Subject: IDC: Linux server shipments shrink as enterprises consolidate, virtualize data centers

From: Network World on Linux <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 09:41:28 -0600 (CST)

Linux & Open Source

This newsletter is sponsored by Novell

What are the four trendiest Linux developments?
Get the answer to that question and much more with LinuxWorld's free Executive Guide, "Linux Takes Center Stage." Download it now and get up to speed on the latest news, case studies, trends, directions and much more.

Network World's Linux & Open Source Newsletter, 03/07/07

IDC: Linux server shipments shrink as enterprises consolidate, virtualize data centers

By Phil Hochmuth

Linux server revenue grew slightly in the fourth quarter of 2006, according to the latest research from IDC. But while overall Linux usage is growing, the number of physical Linux servers being shipped to enterprises may be suffering due to the trend of virtualization.

Linux server revenue grew 15.3% in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to the same quarter a year ago. Linux server sales reached $1.8 billion. This represents around 12% of the overall all server revenue worldwide. Comparatively, Linux falls behind Windows, with 35% of worldwide revenue, and Unix, with 33.5% of server revenue. (Linux just barely beat out IBM's Z/OS mainframe in terms of revenue.)

“As IT consolidation extends its reach into the open source domain,” IDC says, this has significantly affected the number of overall Linux severs being shipped. The research firms says that Linux server shipments fell .08% — a slight drop, but a significant one, considering that Linux server shipments has grown in the double digits for the previous 18 quarters.

Ease wireless e-mail worries

With the number of mobile users increasing, wireless e-mail is a growing opportunity - and challenge. Discover how you can cure your mobile headaches and concerns by providing a flexible and secure platform for wireless e-mail mobility management. Our Webcast shows you how.

While IBM was the overall server revenue champ in 2006 (37.9% of worldwide server sales), HP was the top Linux server vendor last year. The company accounted for 31.2% of the $1.8 billion in Linux servers sold, followed by IBM and Dell.

The third-place standing of Linux in terms of server revenue, and its decline in server shipments, are probably not a reflection of any sort of decline of Linux usage, however. Machines pre-loaded with Linux typically cost less than other pre-installed server hardware. Many IT shops are also using free versions of Linux — such as Fedora and CentOS — installed on either blank machines, or as IDC indicates, as virtual machines running on top of a single Linux host machine.

What do you think?
Post a comment on this newsletter

Contact the author:

Phil Hochmuth is a Network World Senior Editor and a former systems integrator. You can reach him at [email-masked].

This newsletter is sponsored by Novell

What are the four trendiest Linux developments?
Get the answer to that question and much more with LinuxWorld's free Executive Guide, "Linux Takes Center Stage." Download it now and get up to speed on the latest news, case studies, trends, directions and much more.

ARCHIVE

Archive of the Linux & Open Source Newsletter.

BONUS FEATURE

IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details.

PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE
You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today.

International subscribers, click here.

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here.

This message was sent to: [email-masked]. Please use this address when modifying your subscription.

Editorial comments: Write to Site Editor Jeff Caruso
Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza

Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772

Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007