AMD shows Hammer running Red Hat Linux

RED HAT SOFTWARE IS to show a 32-bit version of its Linux OS running on a 64-bit Hammer server at LinuxWorld today, we hear.

The combination will be on view on the AMD stand at the San Francisco gig, presumably so that no untrained eyes get too close a close look at the processor in action.

Red Hat, the best-known Linux distributor says it intends to provide native 64-bit support for Opteron, while continuing to provide support for existing 32-bit Linux-based applications.

Both AMD and Linux as viewed as alternatives to the main players in their respective fields. The unveiling at LinuxWorld is apt, as the expo sheds its geekish image and moves mainstream. Many will view Microsoft's decision to take a stand there, for example, as a grudging nod towards the growing importance of Linux in the server market.

The demo is expected to cause a stir at the show, when the doors open later today.

For Red Hat, Paul Cormier, Executive Vice President of Engineering says in a statement: "The combination of Red Hat Linux Advanced Server and AMD's x86-64 technology will provide a logical migration path for enterprise customers seeking to move off RISC/Unix."

For AMD, Rich Heye, vice president, platform engineering and infrastructure, Computation Products Group said -- in the same statement: "A range of customers with data-intensive applications are ready for the performance of 64-bit computing, and the AMD-Red Hat combination is intended to provide a mainstream solution as new applications become available across consumer and enterprise customer segments." µ

* Austin startup, Newisys is also expected to show off Opeteron products at the show. Its first prototype server, a rack-mounted Web server, has two AMD Opteron processors under the bonnet. The company doesn't intend to make the boxes itself, rather sell on the designs. Newisys is part-owned by AMD.

See also
AMD starts designing K9 architecture, seeks staff