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IBM Calls Linux "Logical Successor" To AIX

Posted by timothy on from the in-line-with-recent-events dept.

pknoll writes "Though it probably won't happen soon, IBM is talking about Linux eventually replacing AIX. The article at Globe Technology states there are IBM folks working on 'chips for 2007' systems, and the viewpoint projected is described as 'multidecade,' but it's an interesting view into the future of IBM and Linux."

8 of 297 comments (clear)

  1. Buy-in from customer base needed... by kwoo · · Score: 3, Informative

    I think the only things holding back Linux from replacing AIX are:

    • buy-in from the AIX customer base -- AIX users tend to be fairly loyal (and large, such as telcos)
    • advanced AIX tools and such ported to Linux (SMIT was mentioned in a previous post)
    • documentation for Linux comparable to that available for AIX

    I installed Linux on an IBM eServe recently and it took to it really well, although I did have to use the "vanilla" install option of the Debian netinst to get it to use the ServeRAID card.

    --
    unixkb.com -- articles on practical Unix issues.
    1. Re:Buy-in from customer base needed... by Atzanteol · · Score: 4, Informative

      Check out the OSDL Data Center Linux project, as well as the Carrier Grade Linux projects.

      Some good info about specific kernel changes can be found in the DCL Road Map.

      OSDL has been *great* with regard to bringing companies and kernel hackers together on this subject. Gathering specs, performing QA, and allowing use of hardware. I had talked with Timothy Witham at Linux World about database performance, and he said he's seeing dramatic speed improvements on a 2.5 kernel over 2.4 (20%->30%, using standard TPC benchmarks). Though I don't remember the database he was using (not MySQL or Postgres, but it was open source I believe).

      --
      "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge"

      - Charles Darwin
  2. Re:Well on the other hand, by Covener · · Score: 3, Informative

    " Although IBM may not have contributed directly to kernel code, they are doing a lot to improve LINUX's image in the mindset of MANAGERS of IT Project,"

    Just so noone gets the wrong idea, IBM has been contributing to kernel and OS code. Granted it's not out of charity...

  3. Re:Unix by jmb-d · · Score: 3, Informative

    Also dont they have a mjority stakholding in SuSE practically the only distrobution you cant download iso for?

    Um, you can't download this?

    --
    In walking, just walk. In sitting, just sit. Above all, don't wobble.
    -- Yun-Men
  4. Re:But... by jesus_watkins · · Score: 3, Informative
    I think you are badly mistaken about the role that IBM wants to take with Linux. They aren't interested in putting Linux on the desktop for the same reasons they never put AIX on the desktop. For them (and for most people) its a server OS.

    Actually IBM did put AIX on the desktop in the form of RT-PC. In fact the AIX first appeared on the desktop before on a server,

  5. Re:Big Blue may not be good for Linux... by IamTheRealMike · · Score: 4, Informative
    What's to keep them from slapping Linus himself with a subpoenia when he refuses to accept faulty kernel patches from IBM?

    So far, he's refused an absolutely huge patch from an IBM team, there were two competing implementations and the IBM team lost out (LVM?). Anyway, the team acted with dignity and honour, and got to work immediately with helping the other team. So - they have no history of this whatosever wrt to Linux.

    Anyway, the moment there was a patent problem with the kernel, there'd be a non-infringing implementation in within seconds.

  6. Re:IBM has a sneaky approach... by gmack · · Score: 4, Informative

    "And they get to milk developers who work for free!"

    "Milk" implies that they don't contribute their share and from watching linux-kernel I can tell you thier engineers are responsable for many of the scaleabillity improvments added so far during the 2.5.x development cycle.

  7. Re:That is a crying shame by bored · · Score: 5, Informative

    Support for large major/minor configurations. For example this translates to being able to handle more than 256 devices on a SAN. Hot Plug PCI & Io drawers that work. Capacity on demand across virtual partitions allows processor/RAM to appear disappear from a virtual partition. A journaled file system that supports dynamic expansion across LV's. Mixed 32-bit and 64-bit applications running on the same hardware under either a 32-bit or 64-bit kernel. A built in kernel debugger that doesn't suck.

    This just off the top of my head. Most of these features like the the JFS/LVM stuff has been there for years.