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S/390 Support is Now on Kernel 2.2
Alan Cox has released kernel 2.2.14pre14 (And now 15). The big news is that IBM S/390 Support is now merged into the 2.2 kernel (most of it). Currently the port features: Full SMP support, Disk, Networking & Console. More details can be found on this feature from Linux Today
With Linux ports now ranging from PDAs to PCs to Workstations and now to Mainframes, Linux is acutally proof that you can write a portable OS without using a Mircokernel. The argument used to be that only a Microkernel based OS would be highly portable but Linux proves that this is not true. We've gone from 1 platform (IBM PCs) to lots of them (I have no clue what the current count is) with the first few being done with (virtually) no commercial backing.
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Some companies out there (with deep pockets) who once claimed (or at least aimed for) portability across platforms, should be seriously embarassed by this. Linux proves that portability can be achieved under a traditional/monolithic kernel design. And while some OS purists/professors may argue about some of the finer points of this, it should be noted that Linux is here now and it works on a ton of platforms. The fact that it's free and (as far as an OS can be) cool is an added benefit, with the latter being lost on 99+% of the population
If you like to muck with new kernels and don't really have the bandwith learn to use patches PROPERLY, it's not that hard. If not, just stick with your favourite distribution and wait for the next CD release to upgrade.
:)
Splitting the kernel into separate architecture modules is going to be a nightmare for the kernel maintainers. They will have to spend more time maintaining and less time hacking, you don't want that do you? Besides, the archive is only 13MB bzipped2'd now. That's only like 3 full length mp3 songs! Think about that!
-adnans
PS. 'fraid of messing up your kernel tree with patch? Try patch with --dry-run first.
"In short: just say NO TO DRUGS, and maybe you won't end up like the Hurd people." --Linus Torvalds
IBM: Hello, IBM S/390 sales group, how may I help you?
Caller: I'd like to buy a '390 with 32 CPUs and 64GB of main memory
IBM: Would you like disks and communications with that?
Caller: Yes. I'd like 400 terabytes of redundant, channel attached DASD's, a full compliment of COMC's for 3270 and ANSI terminal devices for 500 directly connected users, LU6.2, SNA and TCP/IP networking over fiber and coax and an attached robotic tape library.
IBM: Which operating system would you like? VM/390 or Linux?
Caller: Linux, please.
IBM: No problem. We can pre-install it, or you can download it from ftp.kernel.org on the Internet.
We'll schedule overnight delivery of your system, please make sure there's someone available in your data center who can sign for the delivery...
Oh, and will you be paying for this with Mastercard, Visa, American Express or a purchase order (valid D&B required)...?
Caller: Bummer, you don't take Discover? Um... Amex, I guess. Can I get some Linux/390 t-shirts and coffee mugs with that too?
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Hmmmmm.... I wonder how much power and A/C I'd have to install in the basement in order to...
Lets take the biggest hardware NT runs on and the biggest hardware Linux runs on...
I guess this pretty much kills the FUD about Linux not scaling well...
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
goto chips.ibm.com (their microelectronics site) and search for s390. The last link is the best.
Also check out the Blue Logic(TM) section for more one the technology that enables the G6 to reach 1600 MIPS.