SUSE Developer Services Program Guide

Transcription

1 SUSE Developer Services Program Guide June 2012

2 SUSE Developer Services Program Guide... 3 Program Overview... 3 Program Outline... 3 Program Matrix... 3 Program Features... 4 Software Certifications... 4 Hardware Certifications... 4 Service Requests... 4 YES-Certified Test Tools and Resources... 4 Strategic Technical Collaboration: Roadmap Reviews, Feature Submissions and Linux Drivers... 5 SUSE PartnerNet Program... 5 Account Management... 5 Training... 5 Program Levels... 6 DS DS DS DS DS DS DS p. 2

3 S U S E D e v e l o p e r S e r v i c e s P r o g r a m G u i d e The SUSE Developer Services Program provides SUSE PartnerNet members such as Independent Hardware Vendors (IHVs) or Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) the tools, training and support that they need to develop and certify their products and solutions on the SUSE Linux Enterprise platform. P r o g r a m O v e r v i e w Program Outline The SUSE Developer Services Program offers PartnerNet members the flexibility to choose from multiple levels that provide the features they require, including: Product certification (Ready certification for Software, and YES certification for hardware) Development assistance from leading engineers of SUSE Linux Enterprise solutions YES Certified test tools, training, and resources needed for hardware certification Access to SUSE product development road-maps and feature submission access Participation in the Partner Linux Driver Program Basic account management to oversee program participation Participation in the SUSE Developer Services Program is based on a signed agreement between the partner and SUSE, which includes non-disclosure terms. These non-disclosure terms provide SUSE and the partner the ability to discuss ongoing development issues along with road-maps and other confidential information. The DS500 and DS1000 programs are available by invitation only. A partner interested in these levels should submit a request to SUSE. A SUSE representative will then contact the partner for evaluation and acceptance. Program Matrix p. 3

4 Program Features Software Certifications Software certifications are essential for the success of applications running on the SUSE Linux Enterprise platform and help customers in their purchasing decisions. ISVs can certify their applications as supported on SUSE Linux Enterprise by contacting the SUSE ISV relations team and providing a statement of support listing the supported SLE platforms. Once the ISV provides a statement of support the ISV can list itself, or work with the SUSE ISV relations team to have their applications listed in the SUSE ISV Catalog. Participation in Ready Software Certification is free at the Silver level in PartnerNet which gives the ISV access to software downloads for development and testing purposes. For ISVs needing developer support for their applications or support for appliances built using SUSE Studio, a Developer Services agreement is required. Hardware Certifications Hardware certification is an important feature customers evaluate as they make their purchasing decisions. The SUSE Developer Services Program provides the tools for IHV partners to conduct the necessary tests to establish that their hardware solutions are compatible and operate and function as expected with SUSE Linux Enterprise or other SUSE products. SUSE will provide each IHV partner in the Developer Services Program access to the YES certification tool kits and documentation. After completing the testing, partners can then submit their certification test results and SUSE will validate and publish the results on the SUSE YES Bulletin Search page on the SUSE website. Partners in these programs will also have access to the SUSE YES certified logos, located at the SUSE PartnerNet website. Note that SUSE does not normally perform the certification testing on behalf of its partners. For partners interested in outsourcing the certification process to a third party, SUSE recommends they contact a SUSE Authorized Testing Center. Service Requests Developer support service requests provide member partners a method for contacting a SUSE engineering professional for assistance with development questions concerning software APIs, certifications, development tools or other issues related to developing solutions on the SUSE Linux Enterprise platform or other SUSE products. These service requests can be submitted either by phone or online. A service request is defined as assistance with one issue, problem or question. The partner may be entitled to a limited number of service requests per year or may have unlimited access to a specified fraction of a designated engineer's time depending on the Developer Services program level selected by the partner.. YES-Certified Test Tools and Resources At SUSE, our primary goal is to ensure partners have the tools they need to successfully develop and release solutions which leverage the SUSE Linux Enterprise platform or other SUSE products. To ensure partners have the level of support they need to achieve this goal, SUSE is creating processes and tools to facilitate the development cycle for the SUSE Linux Enterprise platform. For more information please visit the SUSE IHV partner website. p. 4

5 Strategic Technical Collaboration: Roadmap Reviews, Feature Submissions and Linux Drivers One of the greatest challenges partners face is aligning schedules and resources with each party's respective business lifecycle. SUSE recognizes that partners will join programs throughout the product lifecycle and will need methods for aligning with SUSE releases while still being able to capitalize on market opportunities relating to their business. With this in mind, SUSE has integrated several key features into various levels of the SUSE Developer Services Program. SUSE works with all IHV partners who have signed an agreement for the DS250 program or above or ISV partners with a Developer Services agreement. SUSE provides them with information concerning upcoming product release schedules and feature submission deadlines. Once SUSE finalizes schedules, the partner will be notified regarding important deadlines for feature submission, code submission, beta cycles and release dates. SUSE will accept feature requests up until the published feature submission deadline date. SUSE may discuss the feature with the partner and request additional information for clarification to qualify the request. Once the submission deadline has passed, SUSE will provide the date by which the partner can expect feedback on the status of the feature request and whether the feature will be included in the next release of a given product. SUSE strongly recommends that all partners participate in Beta and Release Candidate cycles to ensure problems are identified early and can be resolved prior to product release. For instances when partners have hardware release cycles or driver requirements that do not align with the SUSE product release cycle, SUSE has created the Partner Linux Driver Program. This program provides partners a method for compiling Linux kernel modules against the current supported version of the SUSE Linux Enterprise kernel and allows vendors to provide Linux drivers and driver updates via driver kits, which are completely integrated with the SUSE Linux Enterprise software update methods. A driver kit includes drivers, necessary installation media and instructions, and an associated online update site. Supplying drivers via driver kits means that customers get what they need and those drivers will continue to work in the future. For additional information on this process, please refer to: SUSE PartnerNet Program The SUSE PartnerNet Program provides IHVs and ISVs a range of standard benefits. For more details on program features and benefits, please visit: Account Management SUSE provides account management to ensure partners have channels for discussing business issues relating to their partnership with SUSE. Account managers provide partners the support they need for questions concerning SUSE or the Developer Services Program options. The level of account management is based on the program level the partner has purchased. Training SUSE will provide documented training on certification processes and kits to all members of the SUSE Developer Services programs. Additional training may be included depending on the program level of the partner. p. 5

6 P r o g r a m L e v e l s DS25 The DS25 is an entry-level program tailored for ISVs with the technical expertise to complete their own development and testing with little or no help from the SUSE engineering staff. The goal of this program level is to provide the help necessary for partners to certify their solutions and to provide for a limited number of developer service requests to resolve issues. The features included in this program level are: 4 Software Service Requests DS50 The DS50 is an entry-level program available to IHV partners in the first year they participate in the Developer Services Program. It is a self-service, self-support level that is tailored for organizations with the technical expertise to complete their own development and certifications with little or no help from the SUSE engineering staff. The goal of this program level is to provide the tools necessary for partners to certify their solutions and submit their results to be included on the SUSE YES Bulletin Search page. The features included in this program are: Access to the SUSE YES certification kit to conduct certification tests for hardware Process for submitting test results to SUSE for validation and release; maximum of 15 bulletins Self training for the certification kit and submission process using the provided certification kit documentation Listing of certified solutions on the SUSE YES Bulletin Search page DS75 The DS75 is an extended level tailored for ISVs with the technical expertise to complete their own development and testing with little or no help from the SUSE engineering staff. The goal of this program level is to provide an increased number of developer service requests over the DS25 level to resolve issues. The features included in this program level are: 8 Software Service Requests p. 6

7 DS100 The DS100 level targets IHV partners who not only need to certify their solutions, but also require additional support during the development process. The features included in this program are: Access to the SUSE certification kit to conduct certification tests Process for submitting test results to SUSE for validation and release; 100 bulletins Training for certification kit and submission process using the provided certification kit documentation and the help of a designated Partner Engineer as needed Listing of certified solutions on the SUSE YES Bulletin Search page 20 Service Requests Limited account management For component vendors: Participation in the Partner Linux Driver Program DS250 The DS250 level is designed for IHV partners with complex or large solution sets which require additional assistance and certification resources. The features included in this program are: Access to the SUSE certification kit to conduct certification tests Process for submitting test results to SUSE for validation and release; unlimited number of Yes bulletins Training for certification kit and submission process using the provided certification kit documentation and the help of your assigned Partner Engineer as needed Listing of certified solutions on the SUSE YES Bulletin Search page 50 Service Requests Account management For component vendors: Participation in the Partner Linux Driver Program Feature request handling (limited) DS500 The DS500 level is targeted for large partners with extensive hardware and software solutions that require a high degree of engagement for development and certification. The DS500 level is available to new and renewing partners by invitation only after a review of the partner's business model and strategy related to SUSE products and solutions. The features included in this program are: Access to the SUSE certification kit to conduct certification tests p. 7

8 Process for submitting test results to SUSE for validation and release; unlimited number of Yes bulletins. Training for the certification kit and submission process using the provided certification kit documentation and the help of your assigned Partner Engineer as needed Listing of certified solutions on the SUSE YES Bulletin Search page. Unlimited Service Requests Account management. Full access to the Partner Linux Driver Program, including driver kit generation for system vendors Strategic technical collaboration: Technology road-map reviews, feature management, and one week of SUSE training DS1000 The DS1000 level is the premier program level for large partners with extensive hardware and software solutions that require a high degree of engagement for development and certification purposes. The DS1000 level is available to new and renewing partners by invitation only after a review of the partner's business model and strategy related to SUSE products and solutions. The features included in this program are: Access to the SUSE certification kit to conduct certification tests Process for submitting test results to SUSE for validation and release; unlimited number of bulletins Training for certification kit and submission process using the provided certification kit documentation and the help of your assigned Partner Engineer as needed Listing of certified solutions on the SUSE YES Bulletin Search page Unlimited Service Requests Account management Designated developer service engineer Full access to the Partner Linux Driver Program, including driver kit generation for system vendors Strategic technical collaboration: Technology roadmap reviews, feature management, and one week of SUSE training. p. 8