International
Air New Zealand opts for Linux
Air New Zealand will replace its Windows servers with Linux machines, potentially saving the airline US$277,000 in software licensing.
New Zealand's national carrier has moved its Windows NT servers to IBM mainframes running on the Linux operating system, according to a report.
Air New Zealand will replace 150 Compaq NT servers which is used for e-mail and file and print purposes, with two IBM Z800 mainframes running the Linux operating system, Websphere application server, DB2 database, and Tivoli software.
The company will then be in a position to replace 4,000 Microsoft Exchange clients with Bynari, an open-source e-mail application, The New Zealand Herald said. The move is expected to potentially save the company NZ$600,000 (US$277,200) in licensing fees alone.
Air New Zealand spokesman Cameron Hill was quoted as saying the airline believed Linux "has come of age in its ability to be used by major IT users," and that the operating system was being used to reduce costs.