Novell and IBM today teamed up in a bid to encourage software developers to build applications for SuSE Linux Enterprise Server on IBM Power platforms.

The firms claimed that the latest SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9, based on the 2.6 Linux kernel, provides a strong foundation for applications when combined with IBM's Power5 processor-based servers, including eServer OpenPower, eServer BladeCenter JS20, eServer pSeries and eServer iSeries.

The Linux promotion, which runs until the end of March 2005, offers software vendors the opportunity to evaluate SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 for IBM's Linux on Power servers at no initial charge, including 90 days of online software updates from Novell at no cost.

Software vendors are further invited to download or request an evaluation kit, then receive help porting their applications. The evaluation kit is available here.

"There is a substantial growth opportunity for Linux on Power systems and Novell SuSE Linux as the ecosystem of certified applications develops across the two platforms," said Brian Connors, vice president for IBM Linux on Power.

Hal Bennett, vice president of global alliances at Novell, added: "Linux growth is fuelling new opportunities for application software vendors. As Linux moves more centrally into the corporate data centre, application vendors which have not ported to Linux will lose business."