Red Hat Launches Linux Desktop

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At a press conference last week, the Raleigh, N.C.-based Linux software leader launched its long-awaited corporate desktop, which is being bundled with either Red Hat Network Proxy Server or Satellite Server. The bundle will offer client-specific security and management features different from other Linux desktops and the Microsoft Windows/Office combination, Red Hat executives said.

The new bundle will enable multiple clients to be deployed simultaneously and offer simplified security and system management. The bundle is expected to be available within two weeks and will cost between $2,500 for 10 desktops and $3,500 for 50 desktops. The prices also include server software and enterprise subscriptions.

The first desktop is based on updated Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 code and is slated to be available this month.

Red Hat's corporate Linux desktop follows other offerings shipped by Sun Microsystems and Novell SUSE Linux over the past year. While the first Red Hat Desktop uses much of the existing Red Hat Workstation client code, its integration with Red Hat Network services and SELinux is a key differentiator from other Linux competitors and Microsoft, Red Hat executives said.

Solution providers have mixed views about the viability of Linux on the desktop, in laptops and in devices, given the massive installed base of Microsoft Windows and Office users.

Still, some channel players say Linux's strength in the server market and increasing desktop adoption overseas make it a more viable competitor on the client side than what Microsoft has faced in two decades.

One consultant in the open-source services market said he sees opportunity for all three vendors on the desktop.

"I don't think anyone will ever own the Linux desktop market, as there is a lot of scope for vertical-market-specific versions of Linux on the desktop," said Chris Maresca, senior partner at Olliance Group, a Linux consultancy in Palo Alto, Calif.