What are your options for managing Linux?

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: AUDREY RASMUSSEN ON NETWORK/SYSTEMS
MANAGEMENT
08/10/05
Today's focus: What are your options for managing Linux?

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Is managing Linux free?
* Links related to Network/Systems Management
* Featured reader resource
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GARTNER'S SECURITY HYPE-O-METER

What is hype and has it influenced your network security
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Today's focus: What are your options for managing Linux?

By Audrey Rasmussen

The noise surrounding Linux continues to grow and Linux is
steadily gaining a foothold in the enterprise as a server
platform. The open source movement has definitely provided an
alternative platform choice for IT consumers, who gravitate to
Linux because of its lower licensing cost (free, in some cases),
as well as its "openness" and non-proprietary-"ness." The very
strengths that attract users to this platform also raise other
issues with regard to management.

One of these issues is cost. In a market climate, where IT is
being asked to do more with smaller budgets, how prevalent is
the issue of cost? Some IT organizations are turning to Linux as
an alternative to reduce the licensing costs of software. So
taking that thought the next step further, if the Linux platform
is looked upon as a bargain or lower cost solution, then, are IT
organizations less likely to pay for management tools for this
platform?

From my observation, there are disparate views on this. For some
IT organizations where there is not much investment going on in
IT, the answer is yes, they are less likely to spend on
management tools for Linux - or for any other platform for that
matter. Many ITers in companies such as these get by using
"free" or very inexpensive tools, including some open source
tools to get their jobs done. Or alternatively, administrators
may use basic, general purpose technologies such as SSH or
Telnet to manage their systems on an ad hoc basis.

On the other hand, other companies do invest in management tools
for Linux, much the same as they have invested in tools for
other platforms. In some cases, they may just extend the
enterprise software that they already use to include the
management of Linux systems.

Many companies are using Linux in production environments, while
others are using it for ancillary, non-critical uses. In
addition, Linux has been the operating system of choice for many
management appliances. So whether your company has formally
committed to bringing Linux into your infrastructure or not, you
may already have Linux in-house.

There is an increase in management tools that are designed
specifically for Linux. This is in addition to the enterprise
tools that have extended their management to Linux platforms.
These vendors are primarily selling their products to companies
that have sizable investments in the Linux platform - both in
dollars, mindshare and effort; but they are also selling their
solutions to companies with less of a commitment.

So as vendors come out with new, more sophisticated Linux
management solutions, will you buy them? Or will you continue to
use low cost, open source tools? Is the sophistication of
management of Linux the same as it is for other platforms in
your company? Why or why not? And finally, when does management
of Linux become a necessity, rather than "something that we have
to do but haven't gotten to yet"? And what management tools are
you using for your Linux platforms?

I'd like to hear from our Linux-using readers about your views
and experiences with the management of Linux. This is an
opportunity for Linux users to speak out. So please send your
responses to me at <mailto:Rasmussen@enterprisemanagement.com>
with "Linux" in the subject line. And as always, if I hear from
enough of you, I will write a follow up article to let you know
what our Linux readers are doing and thinking. (No vendor
responses will be included, only user responses.)

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. New York courts find security in IP video
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/080805-ip-video.html?t5>

2. Microsoft settles with 'Spam King' for $7 million
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnsm4734>

3. German bank launches new system to combat phishing
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnsm4735>

4. Anti-spyware firm warns of massive ID theft ring
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/080505-id-theft.html?t5>

5. Crashing the 'Net
<http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2005/080805buzz.html?t5>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Audrey Rasmussen

Audrey Rasmussen is a vice president with Enterprise Management
Associates <http://www.enterprisemanagement.com/> in Boulder,
Colorado, a leading industry analyst firm focusing exclusively
on all aspects of the management of information technology.
Audrey has more than 25 years of experience working with
distributed systems, applications and networks. Her current
focus at EMA is system management, application management and
enterprise management technologies. Reach her at
<mailto:rasmussen@enterprisemanagement.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Akamai
Download the Network World Special Report: Accelerating
Web-based Applications: Managed Services Offer Benefits Without
Infrastructure Headaches

Look at most companies and you'll find one thing in common, a
move to Web-enable mission critical applications. A new breed of
managed services, aimed directly at accelerating performance and
availability of Web-based applications, helps companies attain
their goals of profit and growth - no matter how far or wide the
audience they are trying to reach. Learn how Web-based
applications can allow your company to boost the bottom line.
Download this Special Report today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=109898
_______________________________________________________________
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