[Discuss] Oracle Linux, going after CentOs

[jim at gasek.net (Jim Gasek)]

Yes, Oracle does want to go "big time" in Linux, and yes, Redhat is the target.

Oracle watched with interest as big banks began displacing (Sun and others)
in favor of RHEL, and other linux, and then ran the apps and databases
on top of Linux.

Oracle wants to provide full vertical integration, from hardware to app, and to
support the whole thing on -their- platform.   It is the "one neck to choke"
support paradigm.   Or, at least be as vertical as they can.

They're willing to compete with their own Solaris to do it.  It is a different
business unit, but one with heavy strategic backing.

Oracle wants to be the next RedHat, and they're hiring many Redhat
employees.   They think they can do it, at a better price point.  Then they
 have the leg up, in that it is their strategic, heavily supported and
recommended platform for their (and other) apps.    One shrinkwrapped
distro with apps.

They're willing to undercut on price to gain a foothold.  They're willing to
think long term.  They're going after big accounts and doing whatever it
takes to get the business.    They're doing virtualization too.

Redhat makes lots and lots of money on training and support.   They're
in the dominant position, and Oracle wants it.

Linux is "open" enough that they could pull it off.

If you have not noticed, Larry is a very wealthy, and competitive guy.
He doesn't like to loose.    If he sees that Oracle Linux can beat Solaris,
he'll continue to support it strategically, even if it means hurting Solaris.

....best...Jim

On Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 2:27 PM, Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org> wrote:
> On 07/24/2012 01:58 PM, Richard Pieri wrote:
>> On 7/24/2012 1:16 PM, Mark Woodward wrote:
>>> I don't think it is just that, no way. The target is RedHat all the way.
>>> Like you said, CentOS customers are not buying support, period. The
>>> objective is to keep people from getting RedHat in the first place.
>>
>> If so then Oracle is playing a dangerous game.  The more Oracle cuts
>> into Red Hat's bottom line, the more Oracle hurts its own Linux business.
>>
> A few years ago both HP and IBM cut deals with both Red Hat and SuSE to
> sell Linux pre-installed on servers, and sell support. The issue to a
> corporate client is that they want a single point of service. For
> instance, if they call HP on an issue, they don't want HP to tell them
> to call Red Hat. So, in this model IBM and HP sold the hardware with the
> distro installed, and a single support point. Both IBM and HP had
> considerable internal Linux experts. But, in both of these cases, the
> Linux installed was still a Red Hat or SuSE branded Linux. In this case,
> I would agree with Richard.  Does Oracle want to become a big name in
> the Linux server market or are they using this to support their database
> business. I can't see why a RHEL, CentOS, or SLES customer would really
> want to switch. Most of these clients are well versed in Linux and know
> of Oracle's previous anti-OpenSource daliances. The key player is Red
> Hat. How are they going to alter their strategy. A lot depends on
> customer acceptance. It could be like KrispyKreme vs. Dunkin Donuts.
> KrispyKreme came in with a vengeange with a lot of donut stores with
> donuts being made while you watch. Dunkin made a public statement that
> they are in a much different business. The only KrispyKreme in all of
> New England today is at Mohecan Sun. Red Hat certainly needs to watch
> closely, but not overreact. Since Oracle and Red Hat are in many of the
> same shops, there is some danger. I certainly would prefer Oracle to
> fail at this.
>
> --
> Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org>
> Boston Linux and Unix
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