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By Andy McCue, 24 March 2005 00:05

NEWS Leicester's De Montfort University is ditching Microsoft and Unix for a SUSE Linux-based platform from Novell for its server infrastructure as part of a wider strategic plan to streamline its IT operations.

The university had been running a disparate mix of Microsoft Windows NT domains, Novell Netware trees, Active Directory and Unix platforms because De Montfort's network had developed at individual department level.

Roy Adams, IT director at De Montfort University, told silicon.com the move to Linux will provide a more flexible centralised infrastructure that will also cut IT support costs.

"The reason for moving to Linux is it is an open, very reliable system which allows us to introduce all the elements we need to service the university on one platform and it reduces management overhead," he said.

But Adams said the move is also about making it easier to add new web services as part of the university's move to a more user-friendly browser-based 24x7 system for the 27,000 students and staff.

"It will save us money by the fact we will have less to look after on the mainframe side but it's not just about handing money back," he said.

Although the new Linux-based server platform will handle tasks such as file and print services and centralised file storage Adams said there are currently no plans to pursue Linux on the desktop.

As part of the switch De Montfort will also be deploying Novell's eDirectory identity management software for secure single-sign on facilities for the university's students and staff.