While IBM didn't say outright whether Balluff's migration was a result of Oracle's decision not to support new development on Itanium, there is little doubt that the move is having consequences.

Just ask Ken Huckell, an infrastructure architect at an energy trading firm that's running HP Itanium blade servers, HPUX and Oracle. Because Oracle is no longer supporting HPUX on Itanium, Huckell is eyeing a move to an HP x86 system running Linux and Oracle. The firm is now on the "cusp" of piloting that Linux/Oracle system.

Huckell, who was at HP's annual here, said Oracle's decision is forcing this migration.

"We would not be doing this" otherwise, said Huckell. "There are a lot of fires to fight," he said, referring to other IT projects that need attention.

Oracle's decision to drop development of Itanium prompted the fight in court, where HP is arguing that prior agreements require Oracle to press on.