• silicon.com
• Technology
• Hardware

By Joey Gardiner, 17 May 2000 00:25

NEWS In its latest push into the Linux arena, IBM has ported the open source operating system to its S/390 mainframe. The S/390 is IBM's high-end mainframe server, which experts claim is the industry standard for the world's largest companies. However, many have questioned Linux's ability to perform in such an environment. IBM will offer full services and support for the OS through its IBM Global Services division and Linux distributors SuSE and TurboLinux, giving the official seal of approval to a port that has been available to the open source community since the beginning of the year. IBM said it has been taken by surprise by the popularity of the Linux port, which has had 2,100 downloads since its posting on open source Web site www.marist.edu/linuxvm. Doug Neilson, systems consultant at IBM Enterprise Servers division, told silicon.com the move is about deploying the applications of Linux in the mainframe environment to take advantage of the reliability of that platform. He added: "The convergence of the 390 platform with the excitement and youth of the Linux environment offers the combination of speed and capability that the IT industry has been waiting for." Analysts said the move promised a great deal, but whether it will deliver is an entirely different matter. However, most industry observers were positive about the announcement. David Burman, director of research at the Butler Group, said the move was well in line with IBM's recent strategy of positioning the S/390 as an ebusiness tool. He predicted the decision could give Microsoft the jitters. He said: "If Linux can scale this far, it can be a common thread from the back-end to the Web-front and really give NT a run for its money." Dale Vile, senior analyst at Bloor Research, added: "This is the first time that Linux will be run in a totally bullet-proof environment. As 24*7 availability becomes more and more important on the Web, this will be absolutely crucial." Kirsten Ludvigsen, analyst at IDC, said the move will give a Linux a big blue stamp of approval for the world's largest companies.