Unisys to take on Unix with Linux servers

NEW YORK: Unisys Corp., which makes mainframe computers using Microsoft Windows software to run big business data centers, said its mainstay line of computers would also run Linux software.

Blue Bell, Pennsylvania-based Unisys said it was working with Novell Inc., the second largest distributor of Linux, a rival to Microsoft software based on open technology standards.

Unisys said the move to offer both Linux and Windows on its ES7000 server line was meant to compete with computers running Unix, the entrenched software that runs many of the computers sold by rivals International Business Machines Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Sun Microsystems.

Among the features Unisys offers is one called "dynamic partitioning" using Linux software running on low-cost Intel computers.

The technology allows machines to be split up and run as if they were several separate machines, improving performance for software applications and undermining a key selling point of Unix-based machines sold by IBM, HP and Sun, Unisys said.

"Four years ago, we were the first to enter the high-end Windows market. Now it's time to shake up the Unix/RISC market," Unisys President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe McGrath said in a statement.

Unisys computers run major business operations for companies, government organizations and scientific researchers.

Unisys in recent years has been seeking to apply its experience in mainframe computer development to server computers running on Intel chips. It now derives the majority of its revenue from selling computer services.