From:	 Kristin Reeves <KReeves@blancandotus.com>
To:	 "'lwn@lwn.net'" <lwn@lwn.net>
Subject: Compaq and OSDN Create Clustering Foundry
Date:	 Tue, 13 Nov 2001 11:12:22 -0800

Compaq and OSDN Create Clustering Foundry for  
Open Source Community 


HOUSTON and ACTON, Mass., Nov. 13, 2001 - Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:
CPQ) and OSDN, a subsidiary of VA Linux Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: LNUX), today
announced the launch of the first-ever Clustering Foundry on
SourceForge.net, the world's largest Open Source development Website.  The
SourceForge.net Clustering Foundry makes Compaq's 20 years of research and
expertise in the area of compute and high-availability clustering available
to the Open Source community.
"Compaq engineers have been developing and fine-tuning cluster technology
for more than 20 years," said Gary Campbell, vice president of enterprise
server strategy for the Office of the CTO at Compaq. "With our new
clustering foundry, Compaq is providing the first central place for the Open
Source community to share ideas and collaborate on clustering projects-
further solving important business problems and propelling enterprise wide
uses of Linux technology."
To make enterprise server clusters more manageable, Compaq has now released
its Single System Image (SSI) Clustering Technology to the Open Source
community. SSI treats multiple servers as if they were one server, giving
administrators and application users a single view of the cluster to
simplify common system tasks such as load balancing, server expansion on
demand, password sign-on, software upgrades, and application access. 
 "From genomics to pharmaceutical research to rendering special effects,
Linux clusters are already helping to solve some of the most
compute-intensive challenges we see today," said Brian Finley,
SourceForge.net Clustering Foundry guide and author of SystemImager
software.  "We hope to grow the SourceForge.net Clustering Foundry into a
fundamental part of the clustering technology landscape, connecting
developers, projects and users."
SourceForge.net Foundries provide a framework for inter-project
collaboration in specific technology areas such as Open Source clustering,
printing and storage.  In addition to providing developers with the
information, discussion forums and tools they need to develop and contribute
to clustering software projects, the SourceForge.net Clustering Foundry is
also developing a comprehensive menu of links to topic areas ranging from
message passing interfaces to cluster file systems.

About OSDN and SourceForge.net
OSDN, the Open Source Development Network, a subsidiary of VA Linux, is the
leading news, exchange, collaboration and distribution community for Open
Source development, implementation and innovation.  Each month, more than
five million people visit OSDN destinations--including SourceForge.net,
Slashdot, freshmeat.net, NewsForge, Linux.com, and ThinkGeek-delivering more
than 110 million page views per month.  OSDN sites offer 
development tools, distribution and discussion channels, cutting-edge
editorial, and ongoing education and evangelism with Open Source luminaries.
OSDN's SourceForge.net is the world's largest Open Source development
website, currently supporting more than 29,000 software projects and over
280,000 users.  Information on OSDN sites, events, services and sponsorships
is available at <http://www.osdn.com>.

Compaq Linux Solutions 
Compaq provides Linux solutions from the edge of the network to the heart of
the IT infrastructure.  From Compaq iPAQ handheld devices to market-leading
industry-standard ProLiant servers and high-performance AlphaServer systems,
Compaq offers the platforms more customers choose for their Linux-based
solutions.  According to International Data Corporation (IDC), Compaq
ProLiant servers are the industry-leading server platform for Linux, with 22
percent market share for the first quarter of 2001.
For more information on Compaq's Linux initiatives, see
<http://www.compaq.com/linux>

Company Background
Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation ("Compaq") is a leading global
provider of enterprise technology and solutions.  Compaq designs, develops,
manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services,
including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant
business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop and
portable personal computers that are sold in more than 200 countries.
Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at
www.compaq.com.
Compaq and the Compaq logo are trademarks of Compaq Information Technologies
Group, L.P.  This news release contains forward-looking statements that
involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than
statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed
forward-looking statements.  Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include
the possibility that the Hewlett-Packard/Compaq merger does not close or
that the companies may be required to modify aspects of the transaction to
achieve regulatory approval or that prior to the closing of the proposed
merger, the businesses of the companies suffer due to uncertainty; the
market for the sale of certain products and services may not develop as
expected; that development of these products and services may not proceed as
planned; that Compaq and Hewlett-Packard are unable to transition customers,
successfully execute their integration strategies, or achieve planned
synergies; other risks that are described from time to time in Compaq and
Hewlett- Packard's Securities and Exchange Commission reports; and other
risks that are described from time to time in Compaq's and HP's Securities
and Exchange Commission reports (including but not limited to Compaq's
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, HP's annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2000, and subsequently
filed reports).  If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any
of these assumptions proves incorrect, Compaq's results could differ
materially from Compaq's expectations in these statements. Compaq assumes no
obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
 
Note: SourceForge and OSDN are trademarks of VA Linux Systems, Inc. Linux is
a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other trademarks are property
of their respective holders.  

************************************
Kristin Reeves
Senior Account Executive
Blanc and Otus Public Relations
www.blancandotus.com
Direct: 415.856.5145
Main: 415.856.5100
Fax: 415.856.5193
************************************