'Asianux' Linux to rise in the East

China’s Red Flag Software and Japan’s Miracle Linux Corp aim to develop a common Linux platform to make it easier for Asian companies to switch to the open source camp.

The two Linux distributors said in a statement they will make use of Oracle’s software development centre in Beijing to jointly create a new Linux-based server operating environment called 'Asianux'.

Asianux creates a shared Linux core, enabling the much-needed interoperability between both companies’ offerings, they explained.

"The uniqueness of this partnership is that our solutions will use a server operating environment that shares one common kernel, thus allowing customers to select either Red Flag or Miracle Linux product without validating each time," stressed Takeshi Sato, president of Miracle Linux.

In the long run, the firms hope this initiative will help promote Linux standards in the region. Increased adoption of Asianux in Asia-Pacific may give software and hardware companies a good reason to certify their wares on Linux as they will not need to support multiple versions of the open-source operating system (OS).

The firms confirmed they will base upcoming product releases such as Red Flag DC 4.1 and Miracle Linux 3.0 on Asianux but did not reveal when these offerings will be available. The two companies also aim to set up a joint support centre at Oracle’s Beijing facility to provide technical assistance to China customers using Asianux-based products. US-based Oracle is a majority stakeholder in Miracle Linux and a long-time partner of Red Flag in the mainland. Besides cooperating on the common Linux backbone, Tokyo-based Miracle Linux said it is also evaluating the viability of bringing Red Flag’s desktop OS to Japan.

This announcement serves as a further testament to the strong open source momentum in North Asia. Chinese, Japanese and Korean authorities have long expressed their intent in developing an alternative OS to Microsoft Windows. In September, the trio signed a pact to jointly research and develops non-Windows, open-source systems.

Winston Chai writes for CNETAsia.