Novell together with IBM has developed a special edition of SUSE Linux named SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Starter System for IBM System z. As the name tells it’s SUSE Linux for IBM’s most powerful servers IBM System z, and with the package you get SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 together with administration tools for SUSE-based virtual servers. Novell says that with this new product it will be as easy to install Linux on a mainframe as it is on a regular PC. This opens for a lot of new opportunities for the use of mainframe computers.

For all of IBM’s customers that already invested millions of dollars into mainframe computers this is good news since they can reuse their hardware when building a more standardized server environment. For new customers this opens new possibilities to virtualize Linux servers and all the benefits that comes with using stable and redundant mainframe computers for virtualization. The different models of IBM System z can run from eight to 1500 virtual Linux servers which means there is a size of IBM System z for everyone. Other benefits from virtualize Linux servers on your company IBM System z is that you can use all of the administration tools your staff is used to.

IBM is working together with RedHat on developing an edition for IBM System z since before.

Source: http://www.idg.se/2.1085/1.143428 (swedish)