Mainframe shops running SUSE Linux on System z appear unruffled by final month's $2.2 billion acquisitionof Novell by Attachmate , and will wait for and see what new tenure means to them.
Introduced in 2000, Novell SUSE Linux Enteprise Server (SLES) for System z was the flagshipLinux placement is to mainframe, and enjoys about 80% of the Linux-on-mainframe market,according to Novell estimates. But whilst Novell enjoyed relations success with SLES for System z,momentum for zLinux on the whole appears to have stalled, and it's misleading either Attachmate will beable to rekindle interest.
The leading designer at a SUSE for System z shop, a illness insurer, mentioned he expects modestgrowth for his company's zLinux mood as it moves its IBM WebSphere mood to Linuxcentral processors, also known as IFLs (Integrated Facility for Linux), and doesn't caring a way or theother that SUSE is beneath new ownership. A new IDC patron consult found that between 20% and 30%of new mainframes go out with at least a IFL.
"I haven't listened any person make a criticism about it either way," he said.
That's conventional of computer server shops, that lend towards to be sincerely unflappable, mentioned Cal Braunstein,chief investigate executive at Robert Frances Group. "If it functions and they're not being gouged, they'llstay on [SLES]," he predicted. Generally speaking, computer server shops do not make a change "unless theyreally need to."
Novell vs. Red Hat, computer server type
However, questions have arisen in computer server shops about either to hang with SLES or pierce to RedHat, the illness insurer said. Red Hat introduced its zLinux gift in 2005, and it has advance alongnicely given 2008, mentioned Braunstein.
"We have so many not similar working systems -- Solaris, AIX, VMware, Red Hat, SUSE on Z ..." saidthe architect. "If you changed to Red Hat on z, it'd be a fewer on the chart," he said. Then again,he doubted either consolidating working systems would unequivocally change things is to better,management-wise.
Novell claims that its long, shut attribute with IBM on zLinux ensures that SLES for zLinuxbenefits from tighter, more visit underline releases than Red Hat.
For instance, IBM includes 100 to 180 new underline requests between a underline let go and aservice pack, and "we are typically the initial Linux placement to bring those new features tomarket," mentioned Meike Chabowski, Novell product selling manager.
Further, both SLES and Red Hat Enterprise Linux need paid subscriptions, but SLES providesits Subscription Management Tool for free, whereas Red Hat Network is an extra charge.
Another promising differentiator between the two zLinux distributions is Mono ,an open source doing of Microsoft's .NET framework, Braunstein said. Originally designedto take .Net to Linux, it's also developed to encouragement the mainframe, Unix and even diversion consoleoperating systems similar to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Conceivably, Monoon the computer server could capacitate the use of the System z as a loyal converging platform,Braunstein said. "That's always looked similar to an chance for IBM," he said. Big Blue already tooka step in that citation this summer with the foreword of the new zEnterprise196 in addition to ZBX , that brings AIX/Power and x86/Linux beneath the mainframe's purview. But thequestion waste " "what about Microsoft?" Braunstein said. Therefore far, IBM has avoided answeringthat subject "because it would take a lot of bargain with Microsoft," but going forward, Monoon System z "could hoop a considerable number of Windows apps," he posited.
Of course, either that will advance to pass is up in the air. For a thing, Mono is a relativelynew gift on SLES for zLinux. For another, it's misleading either Attachmate and its financialbackers will pull to serve productize that offering.
"If the investment bankers are seeking for ways to show off their assets, this is something theycould potentially leverage," Braunstein said. Then again, Attachmate is owned by investmentbankers, and "it's difficult to know what the bankers are thinking."
Same computer server planet, not similar world
Meanwhile, for other computer server shops, the subject isn't so sufficient "SUSE vs. Red Hat" on themainframe, but "mainframe vs. x86."
Despite flourishing their on the whole MIPS, a mainframer at a Fortune 500 production firm usingzLinux reported that his firm is migrating its Linux instances off the computer server onto its VMwareclusters. The cost of running Linux on VMware is about the same as running it on System z, he said,but it's sufficient simpler to find open systems and VMware people than mainframers, he said.
Others haven't even gotten that far. For example, the director of IT for a considerable U.S. retailchain mentioned steady attempts to put Linux workloads on the computer server have vanished nowhere. "We thinkabout Linux on mainframe, but then you never obtain around to it," he said.
Let us know what you consider the story; email Alex Barrett, News Director, at abarrett@techtarget.com , or follow @aebarrett on chatter .
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