Motorola Releases HA Linux

Motorola Computer Group today announced its advanced "High Availability" Linux (HA Linux), hoping to strengthen its role in the high-availability server market for the telecommunications industry.

HA Linux will function on both Intel (i386) and PowerPC platforms, and is the first Linux to offer "carrier-grade networking, wireless and Internet applications that require 99.999% availability (or 5NINES). 5NINES availability equates to 5 minutes or less of downtime per year, both planned and unplanned," according to a press release.

John Hughes, vice president and director, at Motorola said in comments, "HA Linux is proof that Linux is ready for deployment in applications needing 99.999% reliability in the telecom infrastructure...with the introduction of HA Linux, [Motorola] has again taken the lead in providing advanced high-availability hardware and software platforms in an open system for the telecommunications industry."

HA Linux will feature the ability to "hot swap" system components like processors, I/O controllers, power modules and fans. Thus allowing for less down time for upgrades and other system changes.

Other features according to Motorola's Web site include, active stand-by system and CPU support, enabling applications to continue service while switching to a backup processor; the management of telecom alarms and component status LED's, allowing easy and error-free operations by craft personnel; SNMP support with an SNMP agent and system MIB, enabling system state changes and events to be monitored and managed by the network and operations management system; and an inter-system communications interface that allows applications in the primary and backup system processors to communicate with each other to facilitate rapid switch-over to the backup.

HA Linux is expected to ship this May.