Linux on xSeries Overview
Linux on IBM eServer xSeries servers or other Intel platforms is where many Linux applications start out. The Intel architectures have had wide Linux support for much of the lifetime of Linux. xSeries servers with their X-architecture can deliver reliability and flexibility advantages to Linux applications because of their their well-engineered hardware. Their operating environment can also deliver advantages to Linux solutions in ease of management, availability, and scalability.
As with other IBM eServer systems, xSeries servers generally provide the environment in which Linux runs, and customers generally obtain their Linux distributions from the Linux distributors or their solution providers, or they build it themselves. Most Linux applications are written to the IA32 environment to date. As commercial applications scale up, applications are converting to the IA64 environment. xSeries systems can provide a complete migration environment, which systems ranging from uni-processor IA32 (the xSeries 205) to IA64 (the xSeries 382 & xSeries 450) to 32 / 64-bit Opteron (the eServer 325).
It is advantageous for Linux applications to be distribution-independent if they are intended to be widely used. A key enabler for independence -- and hence, portability -- is the Linux Standard Base (LSB). The LSB provides tools to check whether an application is using only standard interfaces and libraries. It provides not only application programming interface (API) standards but also application binary interface (ABI) standards. It provides assistance in identifying distribution-specific function use or other dependencies. If an application is LSB certified for a hardware architecture, it should be able to run without change on the certified Linux distributions for that hardware platform. Many Linux distributions are certified on Intel IA32 or IPF (Itanium Processor Family) architectures, making the checking process very effective for wide application use on Intel platforms.
Porting
The majority of Linux applications are already running on x86 processors, and, hence, can run on xSeries systems on the same distribution. No real porting is involved to run the application "as-is" on an xSeries system. If the application is on another Linux platform, a recompile is generally the path to success.
Many applications that involve a somewhat high level of porting effort are coming to Linux on xSeries from UNIX systems, such as AIX or Solaris. Information is available on our Linux sites for porting from Solaris, for example.
Significant porting effort may be required for a port from Windows to Linux systems.
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. A wide variety of IBM Software Group middleware is available on xSeries servers.
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 IBM eServer xSeries. The most straightforward is getting your own system which is feasible for smaller development systems and especially the xSeries platform. PartnerWorld has hardware programs that can help ISVs with this activity. For some special configurations or larger systems, IBM has added xSeries servers to the Test Drive program for remote Linux testing of a limited duration.
Skills
Linux and its standardization help minimize infrastructure costs for training for your staff. Your developers are likely to be able to use a new Linux platform much as they do others you may already have in house. Operational differences arise more from differences in distributions than from the platform itself in many cases. If you are moving to a new distribution, the Linux distributors offer training for their software. Additional educational material is also available on the Linux section of developerWorks. To start you on your way, IBM has installation instructions for Linux on almost all xSeries platforms
As you look at really using other features of the xSeries systems, you are likely to benefit from a deeper understanding of the potential xSeries benefits from the X-architecture and from the systems management capabilities that are available.
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. If you are already on Linux on Intel on other servers, the transition to xSeries is likely to be pretty transparent for basic usage. IBM assists you with advanced management of larger configurations in supplying the systems management software noted in the previous paragraph.
Because customer expectations for IBM eServer systems 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 an 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, you will want to ensure that the paths are smooth for your eServer customers.
Tailoring
While "Linux is Linux," there are aspects of the xSeries environment that can be used by Linux application providers without changing the core application, to deliver enhanced Linux solutions on xSeries.
- Hardware modularity and partitioning on the larger clustered systems, such as the xSeries 440 and xSeries 445.
- Data management and file backup, especially when coordinated with other servers in an enterprise
- Integration with other OS environments (with 3rd party software)
- Overall xSeries tailoring is discussed further on the tailoring page.
Starting your journey
Ready to begin? The best place to start is right here.
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