IBM propels Linux for real e-business

LinuxWorld Conference and Expo, New York, Jan. 31, 2001-- IBM announced a range of new Linux services, as well as plans to invest more than $300 million in additional Linux services over the next three years.

The services are designed to help customers install and implement commercial e-business solutions using Linux.

The company also announced hardware and software technologies for Linux, including plans for the IBM x430, designed as the first 64-way server that will run the new Linux Application Environment (LAE). This new software provides today's Linux applications with additional scalability to better handle business growth.

"In my experience, service and support are among the key drivers that will help make customers comfortable with running Linux in commercial business environments," said Dan Kusnetzky, IDC's vice president of system software research. "By providing superior services and support, IBM is clearly helping Linux move into the mainstream from its current position as the platform for technical, academic and service provider applications."

Other announcements at Linux World Conference and Expo include:

• Deutsche Telekom subsidiary T-Systems will install Linux on an IBM z900 to manage massive email databases for its customers by running hundreds of Linux partitions;
• Linux-based network processor software development tools and services for Internet service providers and networking equipment vendors that enable greater bandwidth and other network functions;
• Domino Workflow on Linux, software that enables customers to easily build, modify, and improve business processes such as employee hiring and customer relationship management by streamlining and automating interactions;
• Plans to expand Linux support for Tivoli Systems management software, building on a broad portfolio of Tivoli Linux-based offerings;
• IBM Director for advanced systems management software available on Linux for the IBM xSeries product line, including a "self healing" feature to predict server failures;
• Availability of the NetVista Thin Client, the N2200l, running Linux; and
• Linux-certified IntelliStation Z Pro workstations based on Intel's new 64-bit Itanium processor.

"In the year since IBM embraced Linux as key to the evolution of e-business, our customers have rapidly adopted Linux in real e-business solutions. Linux is now ready for real e-business," said Irving Wladawsky-Berger, IBM vice president of technology and strategy, Server Group.

"Now, in addition to providing top to bottom Linux support for our hardware and software, we're investing in Linux services so that IBM can assure our customers that the level of support they have come to expect for their enterprise computing environments will be available for Linux."

Extending Services

IBM will strengthen its services commitment to Linux by investing more than $300 million in building new Linux services during the next three years. Some of these services include: Linux e-business enablement and migration services to help customers rapidly deploy and optimize Linux-based e-business environments on a wide variety of IBM and non-IBM platforms; Open Source Consulting for the Linux environment to help educate customers interested in Linux about Open Source Computing and the Open Source Community; and Web and High Availability Cluster Services to help customers design, implement and support Linux clusters for Internet and enterprise wide, mission-critical applications.

IBM also will broaden its services relationships through an international technical support agreement with SuSE, building on existing agreements with Red Hat and Linuxcare. As part of that agreement, SuSE will help IBM Global Services address customers' Linux and open source concerns such as code issues for SuSE Linux.

Unveiling A New Linux Server

IBM unveiled plans for the IBM x430, a powerful 64-way server designed to bridge the gap between smaller Intel-based platforms and the mainframe. The x430 will be the first enterprise server designed to take full advantage of the new Linux Application Environment (LAE), which provides additional scalability to today's Linux applications. Utilizing the x430 and LAE, customers will be able to scale from an Intel Uni-processor server all the way to the mainframe and maintain the reliability and interoperability of proven technology. To further support the LAE, IBM has opened a U.S.-based Linux Competency Center in Beaverton, Oregon, to enable ISV's to test applications running on the LAE.

Supporting Linux Solutions

• IBM unveiled an integrated suite of Linux-based software development tools and services that support the IBM PowerNP network processor. ISPs and networking equipment vendors can now increase network bandwidth and functionality by developing programming code for communications gear based on the IBM PowerNP network processor. The development tools can be used to cut months off the software development cycle for routers and other networking gear.
• Tivoli currently delivers key capabilities such as performance, software distribution, storage and security management on Linux and plans to expand the scope of Linux offerings throughout the year, with increased support for the Tivoli Management Environment. Tivoli products that support Linux include:
  • Tivoli Management Environment, which unifies, simplifies and automates the management of networks, databases, applications, and the Internet;
  • Tivoli Storage Manager, an end-to-end systems management solution that helps customers automate network backup, manage storage, and provide disaster recovery functions;
  • Tivoli SANergy, which provides management of storage area networks; and
  • Tivoli SecureWay Policy Director, which enables quick deployment of secure Web applications by controlling access to applications and data retrieved from Web browsers to Web devices.
• Lotus will now offer Domino Workflow on the Linux platform. The software will provide Linux users with access to adaptive workflow management services and tools for Web applications. Domino Workflow leverages the inherent benefits of the Lotus Domino platform including security, messaging and Web browser support, making it an ideal solution for creating a wide range of applications that run on Linux.
• IBM is also making the WebSphere Commerce Suite Start Edition available on SuSE and TurboLinux, in addition to Red Hat Linux. These announcements come on the heels of IBM's introduction of WebSphere Personalization on Linux, which allows customers to build tailored web pages that attract, engage and retain users.