Linux Now 25% of Dell's Server Business

Sam Haine '95 writes to mention a ZDNet article discussing Linux's place in the server market, at least for Dell Computers. Linux now makes up over 25% of the company's server business, and has become such a standard that they only need to confer with Red Hat for some 10% of service calls. From the article: "Linux and open source have been a blessing for Dell as it has struggled to make an impression, other than as a desktop and laptop supplier, in enterprise computing, According to Martin Hingley, vice-president of the European Systems Group at analysts IDC, part of the problem for Dell in the enterprise is that 'people don't like partnering with Dell.'"

OpenManaged and the No OS option

[suso]

Of course they don't mention that anyone who uses Dell OpenManage(TM) to install blade servers and probably other servers is actually using Linux to setup the RAID and install Windows. Since OpenManage is actually running on a Linux kernel. Somehow I find it reassuring to know that the Windows admins that I work with use Linux all the time to setup the RAID on a blade.

Plus, when buying servers, we often will buy them as "No Operating System Microsoft Configuration" even though we end up putting RHEL on them. I'm sure that they probably count that as a Microsoft install even though lots of Linux admins simply don't need to have RedHat on their server by default. They do have the option for "Red Hat Enterprise Linux - No Factory Installed Operating System", but I think when you initially read through the options its not obvious that that's a "no OS" install. Then of course you have people who choose VMware ESX server (probably a small percentage right now).

So I'd say that Linux probably accounts for closer to 30-40%, if not even 50% of Dell's server sales.

Sad for others

[WindBourne]

Dell keeps growing while other companies are missing the mark. Basically, companies like Leveno announce that they will not support linux (only to retract it, for whatever reason; I would bet that Leveno lose more than 10% of their business just over that remark and retraction). And of course, small to medium size computer companies have the opportunities to grow in size by moving into Linux esp on the desktop (an area that Dell forsakes). But they would rather take the fork that everybody else does.

What about desktops and laptops

[James McGuigan]

Now when will Dell start offering Linux as an alternitive on their main line laptops and desktops.

And more importantly when will their tech support stop trying to use the "we don't support linux" when you phone up for an obvious hardware issue under a warranty (like a dead cmos battery).

Re:What about desktops and laptops

[codzumd]

Unfortunately, too far off. It is one thing for Dell to support RHEL to people who understand Linux, and a whole other thing to support whatever desktop variants to a less tech-savvy user. I can see it now: Dell: "Thank you for calling Dell Tech Support, this is 'Frank', how may I help you" User: "Ya, um... Why won't snood run on my computer?" Granted, most users who would purchase a Linux Dell, most likely, would have an understanding of the system. Yet, you have to admit that half the fun of installing GNU/Linux (Debian in my case) is getting flamed on debian-user with my questions.

If you thought their MSFT support was lacking....

[maartynp]

Imagine what it's like trying to get any Linux support from them. It's a waste of your time. You're better off with anyone else or any site but Dell's. the techs will tend to send you some boilerplate statements and a few "white paper-esque" documents that are supposed to help... Well, that's Dell support's style -hasn't changed just cuz they are packaging Linux in their boxes.

Does that really mean admins are using Linux?

[Necroman]

They are only saying that Linux is 25% of their business sales. Which I could see Microsoft twisting to say that 25% of people that buy servers from Dell are pirating Windows Server 2003 to run on the machines.

(side note: Thanks for moving the Read More link and the Post Scores back to where they used to be)

Re:OpenManaged and the No OS option

[lucifuge31337]

that first one is LOUD when you first turn it on. These are the companies first rack-mount servers and it's been quite an experience.

Welcome to rack mount equipment. It's not designed to be where you are. it's designed to be in a different room, so they think nothing of taking 15 to 20 very tiny fans and making them spin at warp 12. The last Sun box I bough with 4 AMDs in it (can't remember the exact model...not at that company anymoew anyway) sounded a whole lot like you were sitting on the deck of an aircraft carrier when the fans were on high. Fortunately, they slowed down after the power and thermal management initialized.

Anyway....if you dont' have somewhere proper to keep them, eithr budget for something like an APC NetShelter or just return them now and get tower models.

No OS orders?

[brianlmoon]

I wonder how many of their orders don't include an OS? When we order our servers from them, we don't get an OS. We then install Gentoo when we get them.

Brian.
dealnews.com

How Fair is Dell to Linux Purchasers?

[Nom du Keyboard]

And just how fair is Dell being to Linux purchasers?

1: Are non-Windows preloaded Linux servers as easy to find as Windows 2003 Server machines?

2: Does Dell try to convince you go buy Windows software anyway, even when you don't want it (to keep Microsoft happy)?

3: Has Dell ever reported purchases of non-Windows based hardware to the BSA, or any other such organization (haven't heard of it myself, but it's a valid question)?

4: Are comparable Dell Linux machines without Windows installed truly available at a price that fully reflects the lack of the Microsoft Tax?

5: Does Dell preload adware/advertising crap on their Linux boxes?

6: Do you get the same level of customer support for a non-Windows box as you do for a Windows loaded one?

That's some of what I'd like to know to assess just how well Dell treats its Linux purchasers.

We already know how well it doesn't treat those customers who must not be demanding AMD processors yet.

Re:I gave up on Dell

[llefler]

You should have called your Sales Rep and told them you were returning 50 laptops. With a purchase like that, if you aren't getting acceptable support, you aren't sufficiently torturing your Rep. The support guys will happily give you all kinds of 'solutions' to solve a problem. We once had one ship us a new motherboard for a PC that didn't work right out of the box. But your sales representative sees that you've just spent $50k with them, and would like to see you do it again in the near future.