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IBM Unveils Linux for S/390 Server
Linux software and services are now formally available for the S/390 enterprise server. The announcement is the latest initiative in IBM's strategy to infuse Linux throughout its portfolio of e-business servers and services, bringing the benefits of Linux and new applications to the industry's most reliable server.
Linux for S/390 will be offered by SuSE and TurboLinux. IBM Global Services will offer complete Linux for S/390 services and support. The Linux for S/390 solution also includes IBM middleware, allowing portability and integration of applications and data on many different systems.
"The future of e-business depends on how quickly the industry embraces open standards," says William Zeitler, general manager, IBM's Enterprise Systems Group. "Customers will increasingly embrace Linux for future key business applications."
This move comes in response to a what IBM calls a "groundswell of demand by S/390 users" for Linux -- there have been more than 2,100 downloads of the code since it was first made available at no cost in January this year. Free downloads will still be available. Customers who want full technical support and middleware integration for mission critical applications will be able to take advantage of the support services offered by IBM Global Services, SuSE and TurboLinux for the formal release.
IBM is also making available key middleware to allow customers to leverage the S/390 server, while new applications can run on Linux for S/390, at the same time and on the same server. For example, DB2 Connect middleware will allow applications running on Linux to access and use data in DB2 Universal Database running on OS/390.
IBM sees a major advantage of Linux for S/390 is the access that mainframe users will have to the applications being written for Linux, including hundreds of Open Source applications already available on the Internet. In addition, major software developers like BMC and Software AG are supporting the effort with applications available for Linux for S/390. Computer Associates and Compuware are also planning to support Linux for S/390.
"Linux opens the S/390 to new e-business applications and a new generation of programming talent," says Rich Lechner, vice president of e-business, IBM's Enterprise Systems Group. For more on Linux on the S/390 visit www.software.ibm.com/linux.