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Linux approved for use on most-sensitive computers
Washington, Aug 05: Linux software has been approved for use on the most sensitive computers in corporations and the federal government, including those inside banks and the Pentagon, an important step for software widely considered the top rival to Microsoft Corp.
Washington, Aug 05: Linux software has been approved for use on the most sensitive computers in corporations and the federal government, including those inside banks and the Pentagon, an important step for software widely considered the top rival to Microsoft Corp.
The common criteria organisation, an international technology standards body, certified Linux for the first time on "mission critical" computers, including those in America's top-secret spy agencies and those used to deliver ammunition, food and fuel to soldiers. The certification is akin to the technology industry's seal of approval.
Supporters said it could increasingly help persuade skeptical governments and corporations to consider Linux, created and developed collectively by an international community of programmers, as an alternative to Microsoft's flagship windows software. Linux was certified as providing only "low to moderate" security, compared with the same group's certification as "moderate to high" last year of the security of Microsoft's Windows 2000 software. Supporters said Linux software, whose popular mascot is a Penguin, was under testing for better-security ratings.
The approval, being announced today, involves only one version of Linux, from Suse Linux AG, a vendor based in Nuremberg, Germany, when the software is installed on a particular line of IBM's server computers. IBM, which paid roughly $500,000 for the testing, and Suse (pronounced ``soos-ah'') were announcing the certification jointly. "It gives us a much more solid footing," said Nicholas Donofrio, a senior vice president at IBM.
Bureau Report
Supporters said it could increasingly help persuade skeptical governments and corporations to consider Linux, created and developed collectively by an international community of programmers, as an alternative to Microsoft's flagship windows software. Linux was certified as providing only "low to moderate" security, compared with the same group's certification as "moderate to high" last year of the security of Microsoft's Windows 2000 software. Supporters said Linux software, whose popular mascot is a Penguin, was under testing for better-security ratings.
The approval, being announced today, involves only one version of Linux, from Suse Linux AG, a vendor based in Nuremberg, Germany, when the software is installed on a particular line of IBM's server computers. IBM, which paid roughly $500,000 for the testing, and Suse (pronounced ``soos-ah'') were announcing the certification jointly. "It gives us a much more solid footing," said Nicholas Donofrio, a senior vice president at IBM.
Bureau Report