FedEx Freight delivers with Linux Web server migration, Nov 18, 2002

The large-volume trucking division of FedEx recently installed 15 Red Hat Linux 7.2 and 7.3 servers running Apache Web server to act as a front end to its customer service application, used by businesses that hire Freight to deliver multitruckload shipments of goods across the country.

The Zaurus SL-5500 has a 206-MHz StrongArm SA-1110 processor, a Linux-based embedded operating system called Embedix3 from Lineo, the QT Palmtop Environment GUI from Trolltech AS, with Personal Java thrown in.

This role-change for Linux was spurred partly by large server vendors such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, IBM and NEC, which have become Linux's biggest cheerleaders. While the goal of these companies ultimately is to sell a lot of Linux, the vendors also are involved in the development and strengthening of Linux for use with large-scale enterprise applications.

Linux evangelists are keeping the faith, even when it comes to the elusive Holy Grail of the open-source operating system: taking a significant chunk of the desktop market.

Google has also chosen to run its own customized version of Red Hat Linux instead of Windows or Unix. Additionally, says Reese, the company has chosen to use generic " White Box " servers instead of brand name servers from a Tier 1 vendor.

Although the details of SCO's Linux distribution are not known, sources say it will be available in the Fall.

Customers of IBM's Netfinity servers will now be able to buy machines pre-loaded with the Linux operating system and will be able to choose from three flavors of the open-source software.