Rackspace Taps Novell to Manage Multiple Linux Operating Systems

Novell today announced Rackspace Managed Hosting has selected Novell® ZENworks® Linux Management software to administer its new enterprise Linux* hosting solution. Additionally, with the launch of Rackspace Red Label*, the company now offers its enterprise hosting solution on SUSETM LINUX Enterprise Server, among other Linux distributions. Because ZENworks can manage multiple platforms, Rackspace deployed the solution to gain improved management capabilities and the freedom to deploy multiple Linux platforms. As a result, employee productivity is improved and operating costs are lowered.

“For a managed hosting business, our most significant costs come in management, much more than in initial technology acquisition,” said Paul Froutan, vice president of product development, Rackspace Managed Hosting. “Novell provides a management solution that manages multiple Linux distributions. Tapping Novell to manage our Linux servers gives us flexibility to deploy what we want, when we want, as well as lowering our costs of management.”

For Rackspace Red Label, Novell centrally handles software updates, new installs and removals from any number of Linux systems. This capability is critical for Linux systems, since open source software is released on a frequent schedule. Novell ZENworks works with all of Novell's Linux offerings, from server to desktop, as well as with Red Hat* Enterprise Server, meaning Rackspace can add Novell Linux solutions to their network without increasing management overhead.

“Rackspace's decision to manage its Linux environment with Novell illustrates one of Novell's unique strengths in the management space – our ability to help customers with multiple platforms,” said David Litwack, senior vice president and general manager of Identity Services for Novell. “Very few companies have single platform environments today. Novell gives customers the flexibility to choose tools that work best for them.”