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Linux On Big Iron

Posted by Hemos on from the success-stories-abound dept.

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." "

6 of 227 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Overkill??? by Karl+Cocknozzle · · Score: 5, Funny
    You can support 700 users on a decent dual desktop system with Linux, what's this guy thinking?

    I would tend to agree, but it's also possible they're planning a large acquisition and need the horsepower to support a few thousand new employees instantly.

    In these crazy days of "Merge merge merge" you never know...
    --
    Who did what now?
  2. Linux under VM by rlp · · Score: 5, Informative

    IBM has a Virtual Machine OS, that allows you to run multiple OS's on a mainframe. You can run Linux (or even multiple instances of Linux) and still run your legacy apps under OS/390.

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    [Insert pithy quote here]
  3. I thought so too... by WinPimp2K · · Score: 5, Insightful
    so I Read The Fine Article:
    • he saved over 120K bucks vs an MSFT Exchange Server solution (for 700 users - what is Bill G smoking?)
    • It is using less than ten per cent of the mainframe's capacity, they do plan to migrate other server jobs currently on discrete machines to the mainframe
    • Yes they are already a mainframe shop. One mainframe is far more capable than a desktop server. Given a choice between supporting a single mainframe or a couple of hundred desktop servers, the mainframe costs less
    • The article covers a lot more than just this one instance, but it has a nice number to start with - that big dollar savings
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    You either believe in rational thought or you don't
  4. LPAR / Logical Partitions... by Shivetya · · Score: 5, Informative

    On their minis (AS/400) they are known as Logical Partitions, which allow the machines to run Linux, Notes servers, and various versions of OS400, and rumored to eventually include other OSes...

    Many times easier to support one machine that multiples... and its easier to execute a backup machine for it as well.

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    * Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
  5. Re:Why I think IBM sucks by delcielo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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.

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    Hot Damn! It's the Soggy Bottom Boys!
  6. I feel compelled to quote Scott McNealy by AnalogBoy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just where you can get sun microsystems's view on this (not neccesarily mine.. but perhaps.. but maybe not..)

    To quote This Article in computerworld magazine:

    Q: Sun has done quite a bit in the way of Linux support, but you really haven't gone the IBM route of marketing Linux-based systems. Why is that?

    A: We're the No. 1 Linux appliance server supplier in the world with the Cobalt line [from the acquisition of Cobalt Networks Inc. last year] (see story). We have Linux extensions to Solaris. We just don't think a Linux partition on a mainframe makes a lot of sense. It's kind of like having a trailer park in the back of your estate.