Linux Systems as Network Infrastructure Components

Abstract

LinuxTM has made a lot of noise in the media recently, but wide-scale corporate adoption has been cautious. This chapter introduces the reader to some of the reasons that Linux is going to play an important role as an Internet/network device in the coming years and why corporate technology strategists should consider it for their own environment. First, the term “Linux” is defined via a brief history lesson, and then examples of Linux deployment at each level of the OSI model are given. The reader will recognize the impetus for its rapid development and the explosive growth in its usage.