General

Linux Streaming Media Solution

Red Hat and Real Networks bring streaming media to Linux. The agreement is part of Red Hat's Enterprise Edition strategy, a series of alliances with major software providers.

By Wayne Kawamoto

Red Hat, Inc. and RealNetworks, Inc. announced a strategic alliance to create an integrated media delivery solution that's based on RealNetworks' RealSystem G2 and Red Hat Linux. As part of the agreement, RealNetworks' RealServer 7.0 will be bundled with Red Hat's open source operating system software and distributed to Red Hat Linux users.

This alliance is part of the Red Hat Linux Enterprise Edition product line, a series of alliances with application providers designed to deliver optimized solutions, incorporating support and simplified configuration of well-known enterprise and Internet applications, to enterprise customers. Open Source development enables Red Hat and its enterprise applications partners, including SAP, Real Networks, Oracle, and Computer Associates, to work together at the deepest levels of the operating systems to develop a unified enterprise platform. Red Hat and its partners then work together to produce a tested, integrated, and configured enterprise solution that assures maximum reliability, performance, and availability.

According to the companies, RealServer 7.0 offers improved client connections and scaling, an increase in server capacity (up to 250 percent), and unattended operation that meets the demands of delivering high-quality media content over the Internet.

The two companies will jointly market the combined solution through their respective sales forces and marketing programs. Service and support will be provided by both companies.

"This agreement offers broadcasters, hosting providers and corporations the integration and tuning capabilities that simply are not available with closed operating systems," says Matthew Szulik, president and CEO of Red Hat, Inc. "These solutions will also greatly ease installation, configuration, operation, and support as well as provide our joint customers with powerful performance and trusted reliability."

"This strategic relationship with Red Hat delivers robust streaming media solutions that directly address the highly demanding requirements of Internet broadcasters," says Rob Glaser, chairman and CEO, RealNetworks, Inc.

RealNetworks also announced a RealPlayer for Linux which will be made available within 30 days from http://www.realnetworks.com. RealPlayer 7 for Linux will provide Red Hat Linux users access to a wide variety rich media experiences including Real.com Take5.

Availability
The first joint solutions are available now from http://www.realnetworks.com as well as from http://www.redhat.com. The Real Networks Website offers a package deal combining Red Hat Linux and RealPlayer 7.0 for $2,995.

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