Major international bank HSBC will standardize its Linux deployments on Novell's SUSE distribution, with Microsoft's premium support.

The HSBC deal requires Microsoft to supply the bank with three-year priority support subscriptions to Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

HSBC, which has more than 9,500 branches employing 284,000 staffers in 76 countries, is seeking to reduce the diversity of its Linux environment, cut its total cost of ownership and improve interoperability with its Microsoft Windows infrastructure. It will continue to extend the use of Microsoft Active Directory.

HSBC's contract follows a similar deal signed in January by retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for Microsoft to supply it with SUSE Enterprise Server.

The Novell-Microsoft deal last year may have much far-reaching implications for Microsoft than they realize at this time.