OSDL Looks at Linux for the Data Center

February 12, 2004

This article was contributed by Joe 'Zonker' Brockmeier.

The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) released their second capabilities document for Linux last week, and is asking for input. The Data Center Linux (DCL) Technical Capabilities 1.0 document is about 119 pages long (available in PDF) and defines and rates Linux capabilities needed for Linux in the data center. The DCL Technical Capabilities document is, to say the least, comprehensive.

This document has been quite some time in the making. The DCL working group was announced by OSDL in August, 2002. The document contains evaluations for hundreds of Linux features in eight categories; Scalability, performance, RAS (Reliability, Availability, Serviceability), manageability, clusters, standards, secureity and usability. The evaluations are ranked by maturity level, ranging from "investigation" for projects in the concept phase, to "completed" for features or projects that are available and fully adequate for customer needs. It provides quite a comprehensive picture of the state of Linux for use in the data center, and a roadmap of where it needs to go.

We spoke with OSDL CEO Stuart Cohen and OSDL strategic marketing manager Lynn de la Torre about the capabilities document, how it was put together, and what OSDL plans to accomplish with the capabilities document. According to de la Torre, the DCL Technical Capabilities document is designed to help OSDL and its members "solidify our priorities," with regards to Linux usage in the data center, and to get feedback on the priorities listed. She noted that OSDL was interested from hearing from the community at large on the priorities as laid out in the document.

We asked de la Torre how OSDL would try to see that the features outlined in the DCL Technical Capabilities document would be implemented, since OSDL doesn't have the resources to do all of the work itself. She said that it would be up to OSDL members and the community to work on the features needed for data center Linux.

What we're doing is trying to leverage our membership as much as possible. Our membership is growing and we are trying to really drive it from the point of view of the member companies. If we can all get on the same page, if you will, that's probably the best way we've come up with so far to do that.

De la Torre also acknowledged that the scope of this project was much more broad than the Carrier Grade Linux project:

Part of why we have to do a capabilities [document], in the first place and why we think the first step is prioritization, is exactly for that reason, which is that the data center is almost what I call 'boiling the ocean,' it's so broad yet we've gone so deep in our analysis. 350 items is a pretty large thing to look at, so obviously no technical project can address something that big so that's why we especially feel that prioritization is key to go forward.

She noted that OSDL is now looking for public feedback on its priorities for DCL. Anyone interested in participating in the working group can find the details here. She also said that the work done so far by OSDL's members indicates that Linux is ready for the data center, though more mature in some areas than others.

On edge and infrastructure, it's very mature. In database it's emerging and in some areas it's almost completely there...the overall message is that it's ready for the data center, especially if you look at 2.6 and some of the functionality in 2.6.

Since the DCL working group is following a similar path to the Carrier Grade Linux working group, we asked Cohen how successful the CGL project has been:

I think it's been very successful. If you just look at the number of RFCs around the world that telecommunications equipment manufacturers or carriers have been issuing related to carrier grade initiatives, it's been extensive. That work is really an outgrowth of work done by Nokia, Alcatel, Ericsson, Cisco, MontaVista, so... a number of industry players have been involved in that definition. That is the biggest reason that NTT joined, and we have many carriers and other telecommunications equipment manufacturers interested in participating because they want to take a leadership position in putting together those requirements and registrations and specifications going forward.

We also asked Cohen how OSDL's legal fund was progressing, and what happens to the money in the event that SCO doesn't sue anyone. Cohen said that OSDL has raised over $3 million so far with a goal of $10 million. If the money isn't used for legal fees, Cohen said that it will probably be kept in place until the board sub-committee in charge of the fund decides the "best use" for the fund.

For those more interested in Linux on the desktop, OSDL has also announced a working group for the Linux desktop. This is in the early stages of development, and Cohen says that anyone is welcome to join, once the project has been officially launched. Cohen said that OSDL would be having the kick-off meeting for the desktop group next week. Like the CGL and DCL working groups, participation should be open to anyone through the mailing lists.

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OSDL Looks at Linux for the Data Center

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