Nitix's only potential detractor is their per-seat client access licensing model, which is similar to the Windows licensing model and less like the Linux per server licensing scheme that many providers like Red Hat have adopted. Besides software, Net Integration Technologies can also provide their solution preinstalled on Nitix-powered servers in a variety of configurations. The high-powered Net Integrator Mark systems can come in dual processor redundant configurations, and the micro line of servers are designed for the smaller office with modest needs.

Running Programs with Limited System Access
Chroot is a way for Linux to run processes within a very tightly controlled silo. Chroot is derived from the phrase "change root" or change the root directory. This practice provides an extra layer of security for running programs within a root directory that is a subset of the filesystem. For example, chroot would be a way to run a Web server that only had access to a certain set of files tucked in a subdirectory and run as a non-root user that has no access or awareness of rest of the operating system to help prevent that process from potentially exploiting the whole system. Chroot is not fail-safe or a completely unhackable system, but it does add an additional level of security for application servers.

Autonomic Computing
Autonomic Computing, as defined by IBM, is a self-managed computing system that can maintain itself with minimum human interference. What this hopefully means for the end user is that servers can react to system events and take measures to adjust to conditions as they are introduced without needing to call upon a skilled system administrator to take action. This can reduce administration costs and improve availability as countermeasures take effect immediately, and lead to a faster resolution than can be supplied by a human being. The core abilities of the autonomic computing system are that it is self-configuring, self-healing, self-optimizing, and self-protecting.

The days of self-managing systems for the most part are in their infancy but they are beginning to be an effective way to reduce the complexity of IT systems, leverage human resources, and reduce total cost of ownership. Currently these systems are considered immature because of their inability to solve complicated problems. IBM foresees the evolving role of this type of system that initially manages systems where technologies are consolidated, then eventually becomes predictive where patterns are recognized and future events are foretold. At a later point they become adaptive to system conditions to meet service levels and eventually they are autonomic where they can manage themselves under some set of business logic. Success will be measured by their capability in a data center where systems may be able to maintain their own service levels.

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