Multi OS(operating system) is becoming a technical trend supported by major server suppliers in current domestic Korean market. These suppliers are on race to put out the multi-OS, one that allows x86 servers and UNIX servers to run on multiple OS on one server.

IT environment in past, hardware servers were designed to support only one type of OS environment for UNIX, Linux, Windows, or a proprietary OS. Due to the given limitations, companies needed to hire more personnel, not to mention inefficiency and added cost to operate each different platform.

That led many companies looking to combine multiple OS on one server. And to benefit from the need, many suppliers are making moves to deliver a single server that can run multi-OS systems.

Convenience, Flexibility in resource utilization, Lower TCO
As data centers continue trends of server consolidation in these days, it required a more effective, efficient unified system, one that can support multi-OS environment, according to the industry experts. Precisely, the companies are looking to reduce their IT expenditures by not having to purchase separate UNIX, Linux, and Windows Server and in turn be more flexible and gain comparative advantage in management, which ultimately reduce the spending.

And related server suppliers are all up and beating with added strategies in their product marketing. Out of the pack, HP Korea is leading the push to the multi-OS system. The HP Korea currently supports not only UNIX, but Windows NT, Linux, Open VMS; most number of OS to run in single server. HP is a strong advocate of multi-OS standard.

More precisely, HP trying to come up with standard, one that is multi OS on a single server platform (64-bit Intel Itanium 2 processor/Integrity Server), is making way for their own OS: HP-UX and Open VMS and also Linux and Windows OS to HP Server to gain edge in the market.

IBM Korea is pushing i5 lineup as their main Multi-OS strategy. It can support the multi OS on a single server to run i5/OS, Windows, Linux, and AIX 5L. IBM’s recent plans include, deploying Solaris 10 OS (Sun Microsystems) on blade center to drive the market. Other plans is to include zOS (mainframe OS) on release of its Power6 in next year.

In Dell's case, it also supports Windows and Linux OS on x86 servers. In addition, with partnership from VMware, it is further adding support to the multi-OS.

Sun Microsystems is also stressing the x86 lines that can deliver multi-OS functionalities. It also plans to include Solaris on all x86 servers and with others like UNIX servers to keep its pace with the competitors.

OS Standard VS. Platform Standard
Sun Microsystems' position is quite the opposite from concept of HP or IBM with various OS on single platform trying to drive the market. Sun rather wants to run single OS (Solaris), on all platforms to standardize the industry. In other words, if HP and IBM are all after selling more of their servers, Sun wants to raise its software sales with the Solaris OS.

It's specially eye catching to see Sun Korea asserting standardizing the servers by unifying all Operating Systems. Sun points out that HP’s claim on standardization just won’t make way to lower TCO (reduced cost) for customers.

Sun's affiliate explained, "In actuality, you will not see many customers running the Windows or Linux Os on their Itanium machines. Why? Because of the high licensing expenditures, they are using UNIX instead. So to talk about reduced cost just doesn’t add up." In other words, Sun claims with more popularity of UNIX in the current market, more ideal solution to standardizing the industry is thru Solaris OS.