Selecting and purchasing your server is only the beginning. Once you've made your investment, you'll want to be sure of world-class support that helps you get the most out of your new hardware and provides assistance if things go wrong.
Achieving peace of mind
An important part of running a successful Linux environment is selecting a vendor with significant experience in implementing Linux and providing on-going support. HP has key partnerships with major Linux vendors and other open source companies. In fact, HP is a platinum member of the Linux Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating Linux in all its incarnations, as well as sponsoring Linus Torvalds to enable him to work solely on the Linux kernel. HP is also the single largest Linux server vendor by revenue in the world, from single-server deployments through complex cluster environments.
Note: By purchasing through HP, you benefit from over 6,500 service professionals who are experts in troubleshooting and debugging Linux hardware and software driver issues.
HP also offers complementary certified open source solutions to help you make the most of your Linux investment. Its partnerships with JBoss (through Red Hat) and MySQL allow them to pull together proven open source applications ready for deployment into your infrastructure.
Getting specialized Linux training
HP has extensive training facilities that you can take advantage of to provide necessary Linux training for your staff. Working in tandem with the leading Linux vendors, as well as having their own in-house training courses for server administration, HP can provide any training you require. HP also offers certification training for the Red Hat Certified Engineer program and the Novell Certified Linux Professional program, along with other complementary certifications.
Where to go when you've got a problem
HP resolves 99 percent of all Linux support calls without the need to escalate them to their Linux distribution vendors. This means that HP can handle most of your support queries quickly and efficiently. In addition, purchasing a Linux subscription and ProLiant hardware through HP gives you a single point of contact for both hardware and software issues.
HP provides a wide range of support packages tailored to suit your specific requirements, such as HP Proactive Essentials, HP Proactive 24 Service, HP Critical Service and Integrated hardware/software support. If you're a simple 9-5, Monday to Friday operation, a basic support contract may be the most economical option. Companies running large e-commerce platforms, for example, should consider 24x7 coverage with a two-hour response time. Visit the HP Mission Critical web page for links to each support package and details about service level agreements (SLAs).
Summing it up
Linux is a revolutionary open source operating system that's taking the world by storm. This guide gave you the essentials for selecting a Linux solution and making your Linux deployment a success. If you have questions, visit HP.com or contact your HP representative.
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