Ubuntu is more than a desktop operating system. That continues to be the message from Canonical, which is promoting another Ubuntu Server Edition user survey in a bid to better understand how customers are deploying the server operating system. Here’s the scoop.
No doubt, Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Novell SUSE linux maintain major mind share and market share within corporate settings and across the partner channel. But Canonical continues to make its case for Ubuntu Server Edition. The latest Ubuntu 9.10 release included some key server and cloud enhancements. And the Ubuntu 10.04 release (Lucid Lynx), scheduled for April 2010, is a Long Term Support (LTS) release with more server and cloud enhancements.
In preparation for Ubuntu 10.04, Canonical has launched its 2009 Ubuntu Server Edition survey. The goal, according to Canonical’s corporate blog:
The Ubuntu Server Team wants to know how you use Ubuntu Server Edition in day-to-day operations to help the team prioritize the support and development of the product. This is the second edition of this initiative which was first introduced in 2008.
Keeping Score
The first Ubuntu Server Edition survey results offered some key stats about how users were leveraging the operating system for database, file and print, Web and other services.
And Canonical has spent much of 2009 launching more training programs and ISV (independent software vendor) efforts for Ubuntu Server Edition. The initiatives have even included cloud training. At the same time, Canonical has been evolving Landscape — its systems management platform for Ubuntu desktops and servers.
But Canonical’s big server focus remains the forthcoming Ubuntu 10.04 launch. Even before version 9.10 arrived in November 2009, Canonical’s internal team was hard at work on 10.04 priorities according to this WorksWithU FastChat video with Canonical’s John Pugh:
Bottom Line
The VAR Guy senses that Canonical is making progress with Ubuntu Server Edition. But big questions remain: How many customers actually pay Canonical for Ubuntu Server Edition support? How many customers are starting to deploy Ubuntu in public and private clouds? And will Lucid Lynx live up to its server promise?
Some of the answers may surface in the Ubuntu Server Edition survey results. Others won’t be known until after Lucid Lynx arrives.
Follow The VAR Guy via RSS; Facebook; Identi.ca; Twitter; and via his Newsletter; Webcasts and Resource Center. Plus, check out more channel voices at www.vartweet.com.
Read More About This Topic
Share This Post
Tags: Canonical Landscape | Canonical Ubuntu Server Edition | Lucid Lynx | Ubuntu Server Edition 10.04 | Ubuntu Server Edition Survey
Interact: Add a Comment | Trackback Link | Permalink
Subscribe: RSS Feed
Did you know that the most frequently used server distro at Linode is Ubuntu Server Edition?
I was surprised. Check it out for yourself.
I was wondering why, and my conclusion is that it’s because it’s so barebones in its installation that you only put in what is essential. Maybe the folks at Linode can you give you a better answer.
@Ram: interesting stuff about linode… Link?
Ram@1: You’ve got The VAR Guy intrigued. Got more info?
Jack@2: Ditto your comment.
-TVG
The real issue is that Canonical doesn’t seem to actually treat and LTS edition like an LTS edition. For instance, Ubuntu 8.04LTS had broken networking management GUIs. The answer from Canonical was that they weren’t going to fix it because it’s an LTS.
You don’t put off fixing things because it’s an LTS, you put off changing things. If it’s broken, you fix it, not recommend going to the next NON-LTS version.
Until Canonical figures out how LTS should work, I’ll stick with Centos / RHEL for real LTS…
Scott: The VAR Guy isn’t familiar with the alleged network management GUI issues you point out. But our resident blogger will keep your point in mind and ask Canonical about it during an upcoming briefing. No doubt, RHEL has a lot of loyal followers and Canonical will need to work overtime to earn that type of server momentum…
-TVG
The Var Guy:
You need to differentiate server deployment momentum from revenue momentum.
Why someone pays money to fire up an Ubuntu server appliance at Linnode or on EC2 how much of that money flows back to Canonical? Its great that Ubuntu is out there as another no-cost option for vendors like Linnode and Amazon to build service revenue on….but is Canonical making any money at all.. is any of that utility service revenue coming back to pay Ubuntu core developer salaries?
People are paying real money to run Ubuntu instances in utility computing scenarios. People clearly value the utility computing services enough to pay for them. But who values Ubuntu enough or any associated Canonical service to pay for them? If Ubuntu wasn’t there as the zero cost option… would the same users be using Debian or CentOS?
Shuttleworth’s cash pile seems to have unlocked a lot of revenue opportunity for…other companies who are much more agile at providing the actual services that customers. How much of that financial success is flowing back into Canonical via revenue sharing agreements?
-jef
Ubuntu is in no way ready for the server room.
First and foremost, where are the admin tools?
Where’s the single interface for the administration and configuration of the system?
I can webmin to a RedHat’ish system, I can use yast2 on SUSE. On Ubuntu what do I get?
There are plenty of other issues with Ubuntu as a server, but this one alone is a showstopper.
The REAL, original Tachyon
Accept no substitutes.
@ Jack/The VAR Guy. Not sure how up-to-date the info is but the stats regarding linode can be found on the about us page on linode’s website: http://www.linode.com/about/
Zac: Thanks for the link. The VAR Guy will check it out.
-TVG
Tachyon@7: The VAR Guy welcomes your constructive criticism regarding Ubuntu. Would Canonical’s Landscape potentially resolve your concerns?
Are GUI tools really important in a server? I ask because I do a lot of server admin work remotely, and a GUI just isn’t practical for that. I rely on command-line tools and scripts invoked via SSH.
Tachyon : I can webmin to a RedHat’ish system, I can use yast2 on SUSE. On Ubuntu what do I get?
You can install webmin too on Ubuntu. It’s not a one click install but it’s fairly easy to do: http://havetheknowhow.com/Configure-the-server/Install-Webmin.html
Doesn’t seem to be a big deal to me or I don’t get your point.
Lawrence: Canonical’s John Pugh in September of October 2009 told me the company had no plans to put a GUI on the server…