Google testing Sun’s OpenSolaris, sources say

Now this is interesting. There has been some speculation that Google has been looking into Sun’s OpenSolaris OS. Not sure where this would be going, but it could prove pretty wild.

Google is experimenting with the open-source version of Sun’s Solaris operating system as a possible long-term prelude to replacing its massive global network of Linux servers, according to sources.

With dozens of data centers worldwide estimated to house hundreds of thousands of Intel servers supporting its flagship search engine, a Google move to OpenSolaris would be another of several recent votes of confidence for the platform.
Propelled by the release of Solaris’ source code 15 months ago as well as new Advanced Micro Devices-based servers from Sun that run it, the nearly 2-decade-old operating system is experiencing something of a midlife resurgence. More than 5 million users have registered to use Solaris 10 since its release in January 2005, a figure that includes those paying Sun for support and those using it for free…. Source: NetworkWorld