VERITAS Software Corporation (Nasdaq: VRTS) today announced plans to ship enterprise-ready, Linux solution bundles powered by VERITAS software and IBM eServer xSeries systems to increase the performance, availability, and manageability of Linux-powered environments in the enterprise. Avnet Partner Solutions, a value-added distributor and provider of enterprise servers, storage, software and services, will distribute the solution bundles through its IBM Business Partner channel.

"As Linux becomes increasingly viable for the enterprise, more and more customers are considering it as a strong alternative based on price and performance. We are excited to be able to offer resellers enterprise-ready Linux solutions based on VERITAS software and IBM xSeries hardware," said Tony Madden, senior vice president of sales, Avnet Partner Solutions, IBM Americas. "The solution bundles — together with Avnet's integration and enablement offerings — will help resellers offer more strategic and ultimately more successful solutions to their enterprise customers."

VERITAS' software offerings enhance Linux for the enterprise by helping to simplify and lower the cost of file system management and volume management while delivering enterprise-class performance and high availability for data and applications. The best-of-breed solution bundles from Avnet include VERITAS Cluster Server, VERITAS Storage Foundation™, and VERITAS Storage Foundation for Oracle RAC software products with IBM eServer xSeries Intel® processor-based servers running Linux, providing high reliability, availability and scalability for business applications in a cost-effective, open operating environment.

• VERITAS Cluster Server, an industry leading open systems clustering solution, is ideal for reducing planned and unplanned downtime, facilitating server consolidation and effectively managing a wide range of applications across heterogeneous IT environments.
• VERITAS Storage Foundation software combines the industry-leading VERITAS File System and VERITAS Volume Manager, providing a complete solution to improve disk utilization and help eliminate storage-related downtime. Storage Foundation software includes a utility called Portable Data Containers that enables easy and rapid migration from Unix to Linux without the costs associated with duplicating storage.
• VERITAS Storage Foundation™for Oracle RAC includes VERITAS clustering, file system, and volume management technologies allowing customers to implement robust, manageable and scalable Oracle Real Application Clusters.

"VERITAS software technologies are helping to make Linux an enterprise-ready and cost-effective alternative by helping ensure that Linux meets the flexibility, availability and interoperability requirements of multi-tier heterogeneous environments," said Sanjay Poonen, vice president, Strategic Alliances, VERITAS Software. "By teaming with IBM and Avnet, we are providing customers with market leading, end-to-end Linux solutions."

"As the fastest growing provider of industry standard servers, more and more customers are choosing IBM server solutions to help them solve key business issues," said Jim Northington, vice president of high-performance xSeries systems. "We are pleased to be working with VERITAS and Avnet to deliver easily-deployable xSeries-powered solution bundles for enterprise Linux clients. This potent combination of hardware, software and support should speed the delivery of powerful solutions to help our customers enhance the availability and management of their IT operations."

Additionally, VERITAS, IBM and Avnet plan to engage in joint channel marketing, sales training and support activities in 2005 for the combined solutions. The bundles are scheduled to be available in the US in early 2005, with pricing for hardware, software and services starting at US $30,000.