Linked by Thom Holwerda on Mon 19th Mar 2007 19:33 UTC, submitted by M-Saunders
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Member since:
2005-07-08
I speculate that what Ian has in mind for Solaris is standardizing on the "Linux" userland (including the GNU toolchain) and implementing the Linux system call interface. Essentially, make everything like a Linux distribution except for the kernel. A Linux-compatible distribution featuring a kernel with enterprise-class stability and functionality, including DTrace, Containers, and ZFS. I would not at all be surprised if Ubuntu winds up involved in some way, shape, or form.
If Sun wants to close the gap between Linux and Solaris, this the best way to leverage all of the development that happens on Linux. Phase 1: open the kernel. Phase 2: support the de-facto standard free software development environment. Phase 3: gain mindshare. And that's the ballgame.
If they succeed in marrying the strengths of Solaris with the strengths of Linux, this could really be something. I've been a naysayer about OpenSolaris and it's plan to compete head-to-head with Linux, but I've changed my mind... sort of. I think that the competition between Linux and Solaris will be fierce, and with Red Hat, Novell, and IBM duking it out with Sun, things should get really interesting no matter which free software kernel you prefer.