The Linux Library

Interested in a second opinion? These whitepapers from respected industry analysts provide deeper insights into Linux on IBM Systems, as well as competitive comparisons.

• Linux and Solaris: An Analysis of Two Strategies for Enterprise Operating Systems (293KB)

  Solaris or Linux: Which operating system is the better choice? Oracle has drastically changed Sun's Solaris strategy and Linux has matured. Read this comparative report before you choose.

• KVM for Server Virtualization: An Open Source Solution Comes of Age (110KB)

  Gary Chen discusses the newest hypervisor to enter the virtualization market.

• Linux: IBM’s Workload Optimization Growth Engine (313.5KB)

  Clabby Analytics takes a closer look at IBM’s Linux market positioning, and at how Linux is being deployed on IBM’s three server environments (System x, Power Systems, System z)

• Harmonizing the Twin Trends of Open Source and Virtualization: How Kernel Based Virtual Machine (KVM) Drives Enterprise Business Value (200KB)

  Cabot Partners explores the evolution of open virtualization, and its importance in enterprise IT environments.

• How the Oracle Acquisition of Sun Has Changed the Competitive Dynamics in the Server Business (609KB)

  Clabby Analytics predicts a forthcoming split of the the worldwide server market, and discusses the value of selecting a hardware platform by workload requirements.

• Energizing the Mainframe Mainstream: The Complementary Benefits of IBM’s Software and Linux on System z (150KB)

  Charles King of Pund-IT discusses the benefits of running IBM Software on Linux on the IBM System z.

• Linux and Commercial Software: Combining to Support the Cloud Environment (676KB)

  An overview of cloud computing including: the economic bene!ts to companies building, managing, storing, and leveraging cloud environments; and the benefit of rich Linux open source technology as the foundation of the cloud.

• Adding Business Value with Cross-Platform Solutions (167KB)

  IDC interviews Power and System z mainframe customers and discovers an average payback period of 6.3 months.

• Virtualization & TCO: Linux vs. Microsoft (730KB)

  Dan Olds of Gabriel Consulting Group explores the nature of virtualization adoption between Linux and Microsoft Windows shops, and discovers that broader virtualization adoption by Linux users drives lower TCO.

• Linux in the Mainstream: Growing Deployment of Business-Critical Workloads. (191KB)

  Al Gillen from IDC explores how and why Linux has continued to accelerate from the edge of the network into the core of the datacenter.

• Linux on the Desktop: Lessons from Mainstream Business Adoption. (425KB)

  Freeform Dynamics surveys over a thousand experienced adopters and finds that 70% of enterprise Linux desktop rollouts are driven by cost, and that for the right users the implementations are generally smoother than expected.

• Has IBM Kept Their Linux Promise? (456KB)

  Dan Olds of Gabriel Consulting Group asks whether IBM has kept the commitments they made in 1999.

• Why Consolidate Linux on IBM System P? (89KB)

  Brad Day of Forrester outlines the primary reasons for consolidating Linux workloads on IBM Power Systems.

The IBM Linux Technology Center strives to provide varied document solutions for all of your environment’s needs. Whether you run Linux on a BladeCenter server, are looking to switch over to using Linux on System z, or have questions about a problem you’ve run into, you can find the information you’re looking for in one of our documentation locations or support forums.

• KVM: Hypervisor Security You Can Depend On (275KB)

  This IBM Linux Technology Center whitepaper discusses KVM as the trusted open source virtualization technology for the security of your cloud.

• Information Center for Linux

  The information center is your source for technical information about Linux on IBM systems. Here you can find product documentation, how-tos, and blueprints to guide you through the processes you need, including installation, configuration, and security, to keep your environment running smoothly.

• developerWorks

  This site provides technical resources for Linux programmers and system administrators. Here you can find downloads, articles and podcasts presented by IBM developers, information about open source projects, and a “New to Linux” page that provides answers to some basic questions about Linux for newer users.

• Linux Blueprints

  Linux Blueprints are short technical how-tos created by IBM's Linux developers. These practical documents span a range of technologies and topics, including power consumption, security, virtualization, and performance across System x, Power, and System z.

• Discussion forums

  The Linux discussion forums are the place for you to ask questions, get answers, or share your ideas and knowledge with other users, system administrators, and developers. You can find support forums for technical issues, discussion forums about blueprints, and community forums that encourage you to share and build relationships with other users.