Linux On Big Iron

panker writes "eWeek is running an article about a company who converted their IBM mainframe into a Linux email server. "The technical support manager at Winnebago Industries Inc. recently oversaw the deployment of Version 7 of SuSE Linux AG's Linux operating system on an IBM zSeries mainframe to run his company's e-mail server supporting 700 users." "

Comments

Harris County (Houston, TX)

[totallygeek]

I recently went to the Red Hat Certification class and there were two people from the core data services for Harris County. They were there to get some training on Linux because the county is deploying Linux on their IBM mainframes. And, yes, that means more than one!

By the way, if you are thinking of taking the RHCE course 300 (fast track for UNIX proficient people), I really enjoyed it.

Linux on a Mainframe

[saveth]

It's frequently said that Linux is not stable enough for mainframe systems. It's also frequently said that mainframes have been obsoleted by smaller, more powerful computers.

I am quite relieved to see that Winnebago has challenged the "norms" and put Linux to use on a mainframe. Linux is commonly used for mission-critical software, like the Linux server sitting next to me that handles our company's mail, but to see it doing something mission-critical on a mainframe is quite impressive.

Good work, Winnebago.

Re:Why I think IBM sucks

[delcielo]

IBM has consistently given me the best support I've found anywhere. They're patient, competent, and skilled.

The CE's I've dealt with have all been very professional; and have displayed none of the behavior you saw.

In one case, I even had a tech from supportline call me back weeks after he'd already solved a problem for me, to tell me about an alternate method he'd picked up from one of the more senior people. He'd used it on another customer's problem, and called me back to let me know it was an option that I might prefer if it came up again. Now that's service.