IBM Power Systems advantages

Power is the ultimate platform for compute intensive workloads

AIX – The future of UNIX

According to IDC, the IBM Power Systems platform with AIX technology is the leader in worldwide UNIX server revenue share.1 The introduction of the POWER7 and recent POWER7+ processors has helped accelerate migrations to the Power Systems and AIX platform from Oracle Solaris and HP-UX. An open standards–based UNIX operating system, IBM AIX software exploits decades of IBM technology innovation. According to ITIC’s 2010-2011 survey, the IBM AIX operating system delivered the highest reliability scores among 19 different server operating system platforms, including Linux and other UNIX operating systems.2

AIX technology offers deep integration and optimization with PowerVM virtualization, PowerHA high availability software, PowerSC security and compliance software as well as optimization through IBM’s broader middleware and software stack, including IBM DB2® software, IBM WebSphere® Application Server software and IBM Rational compilers and development tools.

The latest AIX 7.1 release features new cluster-aware integration with PowerHA, as well the ability to run AIX 5.2 and AIX 5.3 Workload Partitions to facilitate application migration and reuse. The AIX operating system is available in three editions for a range of capability and flexibility for both mid-sized and large enterprises.

AIX 7 and the previous release, AIX 6, are binary compatible with previous versions of AIX including AIX 5L™. This means that applications that ran on earlier versions will continue to run on AIX 7 or 6—guaranteed.3

IBM i – A system designed for business

IBM i running on an IBM Power Systems server offers an integrated, simple-to-manage platform for midsized business applications with a proven reputation for exceptional resilience and low operational costs. Running applications based on IBM i has helped companies over many years to focus on innovation and on delivering new value to their business, and to lower the costs of managing their IT operations.

IBM i provides a fully integrated and optimized combination of relational database, trusted role and object based security model, as well as integrated networking and storage management capabilities required to run business applications. The integrated, SQL standards-compliant DB2 for IBM i database includes a range of advanced database management utilities. IBM i also includes additional integrated middleware components such as multiple file systems, directory, an HTTP Web-server powered by Apache, a Web application server and a Web-services environment.

More than 150,000 midsize businesses rely on the simplicity, resiliency and cost-effectiveness of IBM i to run thousands of applications from ISVs serving virtually every industry. Its reputation for security, resiliency and ease of use derives from the integration of IBM i with its built-in DB2 database, web services, networking and storage management capabilities. ITG reports that costs to use Power Systems and IBM i 7.1 average 44 percent less than x86 servers and Microsoft Windows4 Server and SQL Server, and 57 percent less than for x86 servers with Linux and Oracle databases.

The latest IBM i 7.1 release includes significant enhancements to DB2 for i, including integrated XML support and column level encryption. Solid State Disk (SSD) drives can be utilized with the IBM i operating system, which automatically moves frequently accessed data for optimal application performance. IBM RPG, a common language for transaction processing applications, was also enhanced to simplify integration with a broad range of client applications and devices, including web services, mobile devices and XML. With regular and easy-to-deploy Technology Refreshes, IBM continues to extend the capabilities of IBM i 7.1, with new capabilities such as PowerVM Partition Suspend/Resume and Live Partition Mobility.

PowerLinux – Industry standard, solutions tuned to the task

Both Red Hat and SUSE Linux run natively on POWER processor-based systems, offering a scalable PowerLinux alternative for open source applications. Reducing server sprawl through consolidation and virtualization is a key priority for many companies today and PowerLinux with PowerVM provides a scalable, optimized, and cost competitive alternative to running Linux on commodity x86 servers.

Increasingly, mid-sized companies are relying on Linux for business applications that are designed for their industry and customized to their specific business needs. PowerLinux provides a highly secure, resilient and fully optimized stack for industry applications. With optimized systems tuned with PowerLinux, mid-sized businesses can deliver Linux services with higher quality compared to x86 commodity servers.

Today, Linux is also the low cost deployment platform of choice for vital applications like web, e-mail, and social media collaboration services. PowerLinux offers competitively priced POWER servers and more efficient server virtualization with PowerVM versus x86 commodity server alternatives. With scalable and secure PowerVM virtualization, PowerLinux helps businesses deliver Linux application services with superior economics.

PowerHA – Resiliency without downtime

Smarter computing by nature requires businesses to raise their services delivery levels, fueling 24×7 high availability demands for their applications and IT infrastructure. PowerHA SystemMirror for AIX and IBM i is a high availability clustering solution for both data center and multisite resiliency. PowerHA is designed to protect business applications from outages of virtually any kind, helping ensure round-the-clock business operations.

The best high availability and disaster recovery plans involve an integrated approach to resiliency spanning across applications, operating systems, servers and storage. That’s why PowerHA software offers deep integration and optimization between PowerHA SystemMirror software and AIX and IBM i. The PowerHA solution is optimized for IBM System Storage devices, such as the Storwize V7000 system for midsize businesses.

PowerSC – Security and compliance: trusted and automated

Security and compliance are intrinsic to today’s business processes, development and daily operations and should be factored in to the initial design of any IT or critical infrastructure solution, not added after the fact. By building security and compliance into the overall design of a system, application or cloud infrastructure, businesses are better able to deploy innovative solutions that reduce risk while cost-effectively addressing audit requirements.

IBM offers solutions to protect data from threats and unauthorized access on Power Systems servers running AIX, IBM i and Linux workloads. Data encryption capabilities to protect file systems, data and backup are an integral part of the AIX and IBM i operating systems, both of which also support role-based access control. Whether you want to manage the security of your Power servers, or include other elements in your infrastructure—IBM solutions provide intuitive administration that helps you to define, enforce and audit your business security policy.

Enhance compliance management and demonstration through industry profiles and policy-based security compliance reporting with real-time alerts for compliance violations

In addition, IBM PowerSC software provides a security and compliance solution optimized for virtualized environments on Power Systems servers running PowerVM and AIX software. PowerSC helps companies enhance compliance management and demonstration through industry profiles and policy-based security compliance reporting with real-time alerts for compliance violations. PowerSC software enables automation of compliance standards and includes reporting for compliance measurement and audit. Compliance automation features include prebuilt system profiles that facilitate compliance with a variety of industry standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. Additional PowerSC functionality includes compliance monitoring for network segregation, system trust status and system patch policy compliance.

IBM services and financing for your Smarter Computing projects

From online self-evaluation tools and workshops to comprehensive assessments and complete migration services, IBM Business Partner and IBM Lab Services experts around the world can help you determine where to begin or how to make the most of your current Power Systems solutions.

Work with IBM Global Finance to explore the financing options most appropriate for your business. For more information on great rates, flexible payment plans and loans, and asset buyback and disposal, visit: ibm.com/financing

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1 IDC Quarterly Server Tracker Q210 release, August 2010
2 ITIC 2009 Global Server Reliability Report: ibm.com/common/ssi/fcgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=SA&subtype=WH&appname=STGE_PO_PO_USEN&htmlfid=POL03058USEN&attachment=POL03058USEN.PDF (PDF, 1.26MB)
3 More information on the binary compatibility of AIX can be found at ibm.com/systems/power/software/aix/compatibility/guarantee/index.html
4 More information on costs to use Power Systems and IBM i 6.1 can be found at ibm.com/common/ssi/fcgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=SA&subtype=WH&appname=STGE_PO_PO_USEN&htmlfid=POL03062USEN&attachment=POL03062USEN.PDF (PDF, 508KB)

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Advantages

Companies embracing Smarter Computing are implementing IT infrastructure based on the IBM Power Systems platform that is designed for data, tuned to the task and managed with cloud technologies. With Power Systems, businesses can outpace their competitors by delivering services faster, differentiate their offerings by delivering higher quality services, and turn operational cost into investment opportunity by delivering services with superior economics.

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Hardware

Power Systems hardware provides the foundation for designing workload optimized systems in conjunction with software and expert domain knowledge. Power servers and blades are modular and scalable and designed from the chip through the software stack to help deliver new levels of business performance.

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Operating systems

Power servers deliver flexibility and choice of operating systems to enable your business to select the best applications for your business needs. Whether running 1, 2, or all 3 - coupled with PowerVM, they maximize the benefit of Power Systems in your business.

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System software

IBM's integrated approach to developing Systems and Systems Software stacks together delivers maximum utilization, availability, and flexibility helping you deliver new advantages in your business.

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Solutions

IBM and IBM Business Partner solutions exploit key benefits in Power Systems that help you deliver new capabilities and new competitive advantages to your business.

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Over the last five years thousands of clients have migrated to POWER. Learn how Power Systems has helped them improve their business performance, reduce risk, and establish a more secure future.

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