Wal-Mart has tapped Novell--and surprisingly, Microsoft--to provide Linux for use in its internal computing and Web site operations.

Together, Novell and Microsoft will deliver Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Servers for Wal-Mart's data center. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

The retailer wants to use Linux as a platform to connect other systems, including Windows. "We have wanted information technology vendors to deliver true interoperability and IP assurance between multiple platforms for some time now, and we are pleased that Microsoft and Novell are committed to fulfilling that need," Wal-Mart CTO Nancy Stewart said in a statement.

Wal-Mart said the Linux deployment will, among other things, allow it to reduce costs by paving the way for a move to commodity servers without sacrificing performance.

Microsoft and Novell, which acquired SUSE Linux in 2004, pledged in November to work together for the next five years to build, market, and support new solutions to improve system interoperability and create virtualization tools. Microsoft also agreed to distribute and resell SUSE Linux subscriptions on behalf of Novell. To date, the controversial partnership has sold more than 35,000 certificates for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

Worth remembering: Microsoft chief operating officer Kevin Turner is a former Wal-Mart CIO.