26
Fri, Apr
1 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. IT Infrastructure
  4. Operating Systems
  5. Linux / Open Source
  6. iSerious About Linux

iSerious About Linux

Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Lou Gerstner, IBM’s chief executive officer, recently stated that his company will spend $1 billion on Linux in 2001. What’s IBM thinking? Are they doing this as charity, to give back to the community? I don’t think so. Linux just makes good business sense for IBM. As Gerstner says, “Linux can do for business applications what the Internet did for networking and communications: make computing easier and free from proprietary operating systems.” Today, you can run Linux on all IBM platforms, from a laptop to the S/390, be it the pSeries, xSeries, zSeries, or iSeries.

From Watches to Mainframes

Actually, the range of platforms is a bit wider than just the eSeries. At a recent trade show in Europe, IBM demonstrated Linux running on a wristwatch. The company doesn’t expect too many sales for these watches, but what it does expect is to use the tiniest of the Linux OS kernels to control small appliances like personal digital assistants. Linux was first developed in 1991 as a school project to create a UNIX-like operating system on the Intel platform. Because of its popularity, Linux was soon ported to other platforms. IBM has ported Linux to the zSeries (S/390) and the pSeries (RS/6000). Now, think about what I just said: Linux distributions—like those provided by Caldera Systems, Red Hat, SuSE, and TurboLinux— provide Linux as a binary that is platform-specific. For IBM to port Linux to the PowerPC chip of the pSeries, the company had to create a C compiler that would compile the open-source Linux code (which, by the way, is always on the Linux distribution CD). With that done for the PowerPC, Linux was also ready for the iSeries, which is also PowerPC-based.

Contributions

Corporations are reluctant to move to Linux because of their perception that Linux is not ready for business applications other than as an Internet server. IBM is flexing its muscles in a huge effort to change that. There are two major problems with Linux as a business OS: the lack of quality symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) to improve speed and scalability, and the lack of a journaled file system (JFS) support to improve recoverability. Among many other Linux projects, IBM has been developing Linux solutions for both SMP and JFS. Both of these projects require a huge base of code, and IBM contributed most of the code base required for JFS. (For more information on this, see IBM’s JFS white paper: www-
106. ibm.com/developerworks/ library/jfs.html.) Keep in mind that whenever IBM extends


Linux code, by nature of open-source license, this code is automatically open source. IBM is also working on a 64-bit version of Linux.

Making a Buck

Besides contributing to open-source Linux, IBM was one of the first major software vendors to create a Linux version of its product. Today, you can run DB2 UDB, WebSphere, Domino, MQSeries, VisualAge for Java, and Tivoli on Linux. And, IBM is making it quite easy for you to consider Linux. IBM’s Small Business Suite (SBS) bundles Linux versions of DB2, WebSphere, Domino, and email for $499. The retail price for these IBM products would be at least $3,600.

With all the contributed code and cut prices, how is IBM to make money off Linux? IBM does this by selling hardware to small businesses and selling DB2, Domino, and WebSphere to large businesses. Let me give you an example. Telia, the largest ISP and telecommunications company in Scandinavia, recently replaced 70 Sun servers with one S/390. The S/390 hosts more that 1,500 virtual Linux servers. With that one S/390, Telia is able to easily start a new server in less than 5 minutes whenever it gains a new client. The IBM-Telia deal is worth about $3 million. As another example, IBM signed a deal to sell 15,000 Linux computers, software, and support to Lawson, a Japanese convenience store chain. Clearly, IBM expects more deals of this nature. Keep in mind, however, that a good bit of IBM’s Linux push is simply to confuse the market in an effort to steer companies from Microsoft.

What’s in It for Us?

Someone recently stated to me that there weren’t enough business applications available with Linux to warrant the use of that operating system. But it’s not payroll, manufacturing, or sales that you’ll be running on Linux (those belong on OS/400); it’s server applications. This includes Internet servers like Domain Name System (DNS), FTP, Mail, News, Proxy, and Search Server, as well as file servers like Network File System (NFS) for Linux drives and Samba, a Linux-based Microsoft Windows Server Message Block file server. And don’t forget the Apache HTTP server.

You should consider Linux as a middleware option that communicates with your legacy applications. Load Linux in either a partition on an n-way iSeries machine or perhaps on a low-cost Intel-based box. On that Linux platform, you’ll run Linux’s integrated security features, the industry standard Apache Web server, SendMail, and either IBM’s WebSphere bundle or Apache’s open-source Tomcat product for your Web application server. You’ll be doing the right thing by having your Internet server separate from your database server, and you’ll also find it easier to procure Linux Internet experts than OS/400 Internet experts.

Consider for a moment where IBM would be today, in terms of competing with Microsoft, if it hadn't made its big push for Java. The IBM Java initiative of the late '90s threw a lot of confusion into the marketplace. Server-side Java helped sell big IBM iron. Now think about IBM's current Linux initiative. It very well may be that the billion they are to spend on Linux may be well-spent, if only to cause confusion. Personally, I am a Linux proponent—but I make this point so you can cut through the Linux "religion" and consider it only if you have a sound business use for it.


Don Denoncourt

Don Denoncourt is a freelance consultant. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

MC Press books written by Don Denoncourt available now on the MC Press Bookstore.

Java Application Strategies for iSeries and AS/400 Java Application Strategies for iSeries and AS/400
Explore the realities of using Java to develop real-world OS/400 applications.
List Price $89.00

Now On Sale

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$0.00 Raised:
$

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: