Linux, at your service - ASPs are embracing Linux despite scalability shortcomings.(Statistical Data Included)

ALTHOUGH LINUX still faces obstacles regarding application availability and scalability, the open-source platform nonetheless is becoming entrenched at ASPs that use the Intel hardware platform.

Linux has always been prominent among ASPs, given its strength in running edge-of-the-network applications such as Apache Web server. While the current economy makes the open-source platform attractive, analysts expect Linux growth to continue.

According to IDC, the Linux installed base, currently at 3.5 million units, will climb to 8.6 million server units alone by 2005. By contrast, Unix will drop from 2.61 million units to 2.53 million units. But Windows will still lead the way with an installed base of 8.6 million units in 2002 and 13.84 million server units in 2005.

According to Gartner Dataquest, Linux revenues in the first quarter of 2002 grew by 54 percent, whereas other OSes faced …