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IBM has appear two mainframe computers under the LinuxONE branding that will somewhen be able to run Canonical's pop Ubuntu Linux operating system. This latest motion is function of a nearly-30-twelvemonth history of IBM running UNIX and, later, Linux-based operating systems on its hardware products. IBM's commencement UNIX-like production for its mainframes AIX/370 appeared manner dorsum in 1988. While the ability to run Ubuntu on a mainframe may take been the news that attracted attending, the announcement really has several parts.

First, at that place are two LinuxOne mainframe models. The LinuxONE Emperor is designed for large enterprises. IBM claims it can run up to 8,000 virtual servers, tens of thousands of containers. and 30 billion RESTful web interactions per day supporting millions of active users. The Emperor can have upward to 141 processors, ten terabytes of shared memory, and 640 dedicated I/O (input/output) processors. And IBM claims it can provide all this with a cost that'south half that of a public cloud infrastructure solution.

On the lower end, the LinuxONE Rockerhopper model is an entry-level mainframe aimed at mid-sized businesses which can be upgraded to an Emperor system. Both LinuxOne systems back up KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) with the initial work existence done by SUSE (best known for tis SUSE Linux distribution).

Adjacent, IBM and Canonical appear "plans to create an Ubuntu distribution for LinuxONE and z Systems." Annotation that Ubuntu is non currently available for the LinuxONE mainframes. However, both Red Lid Linux and SUSE Linux are currently supported. IBM also announced its role in forming the Open up Mainframe Projection along with founding members ADP, CA Technologies, IBM, and SUSE. The Open Mainframe Foundation is a non-turn a profit Linux Foundation Collaborative project.

Finally, IBM announced the LinuxONE developer deject, which gives developers access to a virtual IBM LinuxONE mainframe. Marist College and Syracuse University'due south School of Information Studies programme to host developer clouds that will exist free to use. IBM didn't point if this costless access will be restricted to, for example, developers at educational institutions. IBM itself plans to create programmer clouds for independent software vendors at at IBM sites in Dallas, Beijing, and Boeblingen, Frg that will provide "free trials."

IBM's connected expanding back up of Linux and Open Source projects makes sense given that these platforms and tools provide much of today's connected infrastructure. And, the move away from in-house servers to cloud-based ones is a straight threat to IBM's mainframe business. The company's merits that it tin provide a fast, reliable, and secure alternative at one-half the price of cloud-based solutions is spring to get the attention of those with large-scale projects who want to command costs.


IBM LinuxONE video short