29
Fri, Nov
0 New Articles

IBM Promotes Linux on POWER Servers

Analysis of News Events
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

When IBM showed up at the LinuxWorld conference earlier this month, it went to great lengths to market its Linux solutions to medium-size businesses. Just a few months ago, IBM's mid-market pitch was largely limited to its Intel-based xSeries servers. At this conference, however, Big Blue put the spotlights on its POWER processor-based iSeries and pSeries systems.

Over the last several years, mid-market organizations have mainly used Linux to run basic infrastructure and networking workloads at rock-bottom prices on cheap Intel servers. Now that Linux has proven itself for such tasks, some companies are considering whether to expand the operating system's role to transaction-based workloads that support core business processes. Such workloads require greater reliability and scalability than infrastructure workloads. They usually require middleware--including application servers and database management systems--and fairly sophisticated systems management tools. For such workloads, rock-bottom prices are not as big of a requirement as they are for infrastructure tasks.

IBM understands these truths, so it is marketing its POWER servers to medium-size businesses as highly reliable, scalable, and manageable hosts for transaction-based applications running on Linux. It used this month's LinuxWorld to demonstrate that its iSeries and pSeries servers are ready to support such solutions. That demonstration included the following components:

  • A nearly complete Linux Software Evaluation Kit (SEK) for POWER servers--When LinuxWorld last convened (in January of this year), IBM offered its first Linux SEK for iSeries and pSeries servers under the Speed-Start Your Linux Application program. Initially, that SEK had precious little software. At this month's LinuxWorld, however, IBM showed off an SEK that includes WebSphere Application Server (WAS), DB2 UDB, and Tivoli's Configuration Manager and Monitoring Workbench products. By the end of this year, the SEK will include three other Tivoli products as well as WebSphere Commerce Suite.
  • An Integrated Platform for e-business on POWER servers--Last year, IBM created a reference model for deploying Linux and its Linux-based middleware on xSeries servers. The model--which bore the code name "Blue Ice" but which IBM marketed as its Integrated Platform for e-business--included tools, scripts, and specifications for implementing IBM's Linux software on the xSeries. At LinuxWorld, IBM expanded this reference model to include the iSeries and pSeries. The expansion was made possible by the near completion of the Linux SEK for POWER.

    The iSeries version of Blue Ice provides blueprints and tools for configuring DB2, WAS, IBM's HTTP Server, and a third-party firewall on an iSeries Model 810 or 825. In the blueprints, DB2 runs within an OS/400 partition while the application server, Web server, and firewall reside in separate Linux partitions. By following the specifications and using the tools, IBM Business Partners and value-added resellers (VARs) can dramatically reduce the time required to develop, deploy, test, and size their solutions running on an iSeries Linux platform. IBM is promoting the iSeries version of Blue Ice to its Business Partners and has garnered early support for the platform from Lansa (with its Lansa for the Web Edge Server), eOneGroup (eOneCommerce), and Foedero (DocumentZone).
  • Attractive discounts for IBM's Linux software--To get independent software vendors (ISVs) and VARs to build their solutions on its Linux middleware, IBM used the conference to announce its "Double Your Discount with Linux" program. Under the program, which runs through June of next year, ISVs and VARs will get up to a 60% discount on any IBM Linux software that they resell to a small or medium-size business. This gives solution providers a big profit incentive to pick IBM's Linux middleware stack instead of competitive stacks from vendors such as BEA, Oracle, and Sun Microsystems. It may even tempt some Windows ISVs and resellers to port their solutions to IBM's Linux middleware.

Is Linux on POWER Ready for Prime Time?

Clearly, IBM is working overtime to position the iSeries and pSeries as platforms of choice for transaction-based Linux applications. As part of that effort, IBM is positioning Linux on POWER as a platform that gives mid-market companies the robust quality of service levels they require but at price/performance levels rivaling those of 64-bit Intel servers.

While IBM is making headway in bringing Linux to POWER, it is still in the early stages of building a market for the platform. For instance, there is still only a handful of software vendors that offer what most companies think of as genuine e-business solutions for Linux on the iSeries. So far, those vendors can point to only a handful of companies that are deploying these solutions, and many of these deployments are still in progress. This leaves traditionally risk-averse mid-market customers with little information on which to base a Linux decision.

Despite these facts, early evidence indicates that Linux on POWER will be a viable option for some transaction-based software categories during 2004. If your company decides to fund one or more application deployments next year, I would encourage you to keep your eye on the Linux for iSeries Web site to see what products are available. Then, consider asking about those products in your requests for proposals. You may just find a solution that meets all of your requirements.

Lee Kroon is a Senior Industry Analyst for Andrews Consulting Group, a firm that helps mid-sized companies manage business transformation through technology. You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LEE KROON
Lee Kroon is a Senior Industry Analyst for Andrews Consulting Group, a firm that helps mid-sized companies manage business transformation through technology.
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: