Michelle -
NT has a few weaknesses right now that could be exploited if the unix people were on their toes
Intel is working behind the scenes (and increasingly, in public) to make linux a viable alternative to NT, especially for 'appliance' servers. Intel quietly developed a hardware framework for this initiative along with a software specification, and Dell was one of their key partners in this effort. Dell has distanced themselves somewhat from MSFT in support of Intel on this issue. I expect some products in this category out of Dell, maybe in 2Q99.
Sun will only be hurt by Linux, since every Linux user is a lost Solaris user. Linux currently runs on a variety of platforms - Intel based systems are of course the mainstream but there has been big interest in Alpha in the Linux community and prior to their acquisition by CPQ, DEC provided a lot of support for that. Sun is in a difficult position here, since they want to advocate their status as the 'counter-culture', open company, yet to do so will cut into one of their most profitable businesses.
The player to watch here is Intel. They want to drive demand for their chips, and the more OS versions which run on their hardware the better. They already have HP in the bag because of the Merced joint development, have moved IBM to an accommodation position and plan to do more, and have at least superficial support from Sun. Sun will try and get Solaris to be the 64 bit Unix of choice on Merced-generation products, but HP also has plans there. I(n the meantime, Merced / McKinley slips farther into the future, and Intel's 32 bit game heats up.
This is an area where I think Dell has placed some nice bets - they are building on their partnership with Intel in a way that does not directly confront Microsoft, but that will become a tricky balancing act next year if Dell appears to be driving non-MSFT OS server products. |
