Linux Overview
Porting to Linux on IBM eServer servers is a well-understood process that can bring unique advantages to Linux solutions running on other platforms. eServer series technologies added to Linux solutions can enhance them with flexible resource use via logical partitioning or enhanced management and backup capabilities. IBM servers provide the environment in which Linux runs, but customers obtain their Linux distributions from the Linux distributors or their solution providers, or they build it themselves. This technology cooperation gives your customers the assurance that "Linux is Linux" from a known source while offering additional integration and environment robustness. IBM Linux support programs can also help you provide your solution on multiple server series that are strong in different market segments.
Porting
It is generally easy to bring an application over to Linux on an eServer platform, either from other platforms or from one eServer platform to another. IBM and the Linux Standard Base (LSB) can assist you in some cases in assessing the porting effort before you begin your Linux porting project.
- Most often, you will only need to move Linux source code to the new platform and recompile it to have a Linux application on the new hardware architecture. The use of POWER architecture in both iSeries and pSeries servers means that for the majority of Linux application binaries, even the same compilation can be used for both series. Specific white papers and Red Books for porting to zSeries, xSeries and POWER (pSeries and iSeries) are available.
- The Linux Standard Base (LSB) is a rapidly developing standard that can help Linux applications ensure portability. The LSB provides application programming interfaces (API) standards like the UNIX* standards. It also provides definitions and tools to check application binary interface (ABI) use for Linux on a specific architecture.
- If the Linux application is dependent on distribution-specific headers or file structures that are outside of the specification of the LSB, you will want to check the availability of that distribution [add ref to distribution table here] on the IBM eServer platform that is the target being explored for your port.
If you use open source or third party middleware in your solution, you will want to ensure that it is also available on the platform you are porting to. IBM Software Group middleware is being delivered in stages across eServer Linux platforms for Red Hat and for United Linux including SuSE.
There is additional porting material that is specific to a particular series also available in some cases.
Infrastructure
System and Software Access
We recognize that there are several models of system access that can be effective for ISVs producing Linux products on eServer seryes. As a result, IBM has put several types of programs in place that can help you with your system and software access investments in building your infrastructure for Linux development on eServer series. These programs range from short term access to hardware and software to consulting help to assisting you in acquiring your own systems and software.
Skills [need to add link in this section to training stuff in infrastruct page]
Linux and its standardization help minimize infrastructure costs for training for your staff. Your developers and systems administrators are likely to be able to use and operate a new Linux platform much as they do others you may already have in house. If you are moving to a new distribution, the Linux distributors offer training for their software. IBM developerWorks and PartnerWorld also provide training, some web-based, some on-line.
As you look at integrating with other features of the eServer series, you are likely to benefit from adding skills relating to the other environments. IBM also offers a wide variety of consulting and classes on these environments to broaden your expertise and to help you understand how they can add value to your solution. If you have questions in this area, please contact us.
Procedures and Tools
The procedures you use to create and maintain your solution and the tools you do it with are key parts of moving to a new platform. The current version (1.3) of the Linux Standard Base covers a significant number of APIs and utilities so that many applications can be moved from one Linux platform to another without substantial impact to their development and test processes. However, if you use distribution-specific functions, you will want to check that the distribution you currently use on other platforms is also available on IBM eServer platforms. [reference distro table here also]
Because customer expectations for eServer series are high, especially in the support area, you will want to be familiar with the IBM support processes. When you are adding a Linux application to the eServer platform from IBM and a Linux distribution from a distributor, you will want to plan for an effective 3-way conversation on support questions. While this is "business as usual" in the Linux community, some famliarity in advance can ensure that the paths are smooth for your eServer customers.
In addition to cross-platform programs IBM supports for all eServer Linux work, there are some series-specific programs.
Tailoring
Tailoring is usually an additional consideration or use of available features on eServer systems that can add greater customer value to Linux applications. In many cases, the use of these features can be coded once, then reused from release to release of the application. Possible examples include scripts or plug-ins to integrate operations with other applications, directions on using other server backup facilities effectively, and insights in tailoring application use of resources across logical partitions.
- The first point to remember is "Linux is Linux." It is usually not necessary to tailor the application to conclude a successful port. Linux runs natively (directly on the processor) on all eServer systems.
- Many IBM eServer technologies provide "extras" that can be exploited without changing your core application to help you deliver a higher-value solution on eServers.
- Hardware partitioning
- Data management and file backup
- Integration with other OS environment
- Each of the series has its own specific strengths. Tailoring topics of most interest are discussed further in the series Linux sections.
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