| Linux on mainframes made easy |
Feb. 04, 2008
Linux and mainframes go together like ham and eggs. Linux virtual machines were reviving the mainframe market before most IT administrators knew anything about virtualization. However, until recently, installing Linux on an IBM System z mainframe was a job for experts. Now, Novell has announced its SLES (SUSE Linux Enterprise Server) Starter System. Novell claims that this makes System z Linux installations, if not a snap, certainly much easier.
The SLES Starter System is a pre-built installation server that simplifies the SLES installation. While it's not an exact analogy, one way to think of the Starter System is that it acts much like a live Linux CD for a PC. With it, system administrators can try out SLES 10 SP 1 on an IBM System z mainframe without having to track down network access for mainframe installation media. The result is that, just like a live CD can give users a quick and easy way to see how Linux runs on their PC, Starter System lets mainframe managers get a quick feel for how SLES will run on their mainframes.
The Starter System for System z was developed for Novell by Sine Nomine Associates, a research and development focusing on turning cutting-edge technology into practical business solutions. The Starter System, according to Novell, includes utilities and configuration tools to easily create an installation server and simplify the entire process of installing Linux on a System z mainframe. Its point is to make it possible for less-experienced mainframe and Linux administrators to get Linux and its applications up and running with a minimum of fuss and bother.
The program will run on any Series z mainframe with a CP (central processor) or IFL (Integrated Facility for Linux) processor, a working VSWITCH or guest LAN, a unique IP address, two 3390-3 DASDs (direct access storage devices) and one temporary 3390-3 DASD. You also must be running the z/VM operating system or later.
The word "Starter" should be kept in mind. While you can test out Linux on a mainframe, or use it to install full working copies of SLES on other mainframes, Starter System itself should not be used for general production use.
Within those confines, though, Starter apparently works extremely well. In a public relations statement, Rich Smrcina, a senior systems engineer at VM Assist Inc., a Linux and mainframe consulting business, said "All I can say is - Brilliant! ... 7 installs on a z890 in about an hour and a half."
In a statement, Mike Walter, z/VM systems manager at Hewitt Associates, the international human resources firm, said, "We're excited to be able to leverage the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Starter System for System z for our mainframe deployments. Until recently, there was no simple way to install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server on a mainframe using z/VM tools natively. This new tool makes it much easier and faster for us and others to experience SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for System z, taking advantage of the cost and reliability benefits of Linux on the mainframe."
Roger Levy, Novell's senior vice president and general manager of Open Platform Solutions, said, in a statement that "Novell worked closely with customers and the mainframe community to develop a tool that will actually save customers time and money while helping them meet their broader IT objectives."
More information about the Starter System for System z is available online. The program can also be downloaded from the same site.
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
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