Dell to support Microsoft-Novell server partnership

Dell Inc., the fourth-largest server maker, will join an alliance between Microsoft Corp. and Novell Inc. to sell services for customers who want to run Microsoft server software while using Novell's Linux operating system.

Dell will help customers switch from the free Linux operating system to Novell's Suse Linux version of the program, said Rick Becker, a vice president at Dell, in an interview. Under an agreement in November, that software is compatible with Microsoft's programs for corporate servers.

Michael Dell, who retook the title of chief executive officer in January, is trying to reverse a yearlong profit and sales slump. Dell considers the Linux market a big opportunity, Becker said. Microsoft is the world's largest software maker, while Novell is the second-biggest seller of Linux.

Dell will set up a marketing team to switch existing Linux users to Novell's program. Dell also will purchase certificates to use the Suse software from Microsoft. As part of the November deal, Microsoft is paying Novell $240 million for these certificates and is giving them to customers who wish to use both Microsoft Windows and Suse Linux.

Shares of Dell, based in Round Rock, Texas, rose 25 cents to $25.91 as of 1:35 p.m. New York time in Nasdaq Stock Market trading.

Dell trails International Business Machines Corp., Hewlett- Packard Co. and Sun Microsystems Inc. in sales of servers.