<p>Computer operating system Linux has a strong hold on data centres handling heavy-duty computing jobs and computer giant IBM is looking to capitalise on that. The latter has now pledged $1 billion to increase expansion as well as integrate the popular OS onto its hardware, according to the Wall Street Journal.</p><p>The computer giant has now announced that it will space the pledged amount over a period of four or five years into Linux as well and other relevant open-source technologies to be used on its Power line of server systems. The systems are based on the internally developed chip technology which goes by the same moniker. IBM has reportedly been one of Linux's biggest supporters for quite some time now. Back in 2000, they pledged $1 billion to support the OS as it was beginning to pick up. Since then, Linux has grown to become the go-to operating system for many servers, especially those used by big Internet names like Google.</p><p>IBM has pledged $1 billion to help expand and integrate Linux (Image credit: cnmeonline)</p><p>Many of these machines are x86 servers, which are based on the chip design sold by Intel and AMD. While IBM also sells such machines, the company has been integrating Linux to be used on its mainframes and Power servers. The former now wants to increase the reach of its Linux-running Power line-up. Back in the day, IBM used their own variant of the Unix to run the show. The report notes, though, that while the sales of hardware running Unix are lagging, the sales of Linux-based machines are rising.</p><p><a href="http://tech2.in.com/news/general/ibm-pledges-1-billion-to-expand-linux-rd/914904">Keep reading...</a></p>