Red Hat Unveils Linux-Based E-Commerce Server

Red Hat Inc., a maker of Linux open-source software, introduced an E-commerce server package today that's designed to move small businesses more quickly onto the Internet.

The Red Hat Linux E-Commerce server combines Red Hat's Linux 6.0 open-source operating system, which supports up to four processors with symmetric multiprocessing configuration, with the Apache Web open-source server. Integrated into the E-commerce server is RSA Data Security's 128-bit encryption engine.

The server package includes Red Hat's Linux 6.0 applications CD, containing applications such as Star Division's StarOffice--which offers word processing, spreadsheet, graphic design, presentation, HTML editor, E-mail/news reader, event planner, formula editor, and other applications. The CD also features IBM's ViaVoice voice recognition software and Applix's Applixware for Linux, a full-office suite including a developer bundle.

Also included in the server package is an E-commerce directory with offerings such as HP's WebQoS, which allows users to prioritize Web server traffic based on business criteria, electronic shopping-cart software from MiniVend, and a credit-card processing engine from CCVS, or credit card verification service, from Hell's Kitchen Systems, Inc.

As part of the Apache Web server, the Apache ASP module allows multiplatform development, while the Apache DAV module lets users edit, manage, and publish Web pages from the desktop without going through File Transer Protocol. A Netscape Roaming Module lets the Apache server also act as a Netscape Roaming Access server.

Available immediately, the Red Hat Linux E-Commerce Server can be purchased on the Red Hat portal site or at retail sites for $149. Additional support packages are also available.