“On the hardware side, the IBM S/390 Integrated Facility for
Linux allows the addition of processor capacity exclusively for
Linux use to the S/390 G5 and G6 servers. Also introduced was the
S/390 Virtual Image Facility for Linux, which allows the capability
to create and manage hundreds of Linux images on a single server
without the need for the Virtual Machine system.”
“Even more important than the new products is an agreement
with several key software vendors to help cut the cost of software
on the S/390, says Nancy Roath, vice president of S/390 brand
marketing for IBM’s Enterprise Systems Group. More than 50
percent of the cost of an S/390 comes from the software, the price
of which varies with the capacity of the machine, says
Roath.”
“IBM is targeting ASPs, universities, commercial enterprises and
telcos with the new Linux-based S/390 initiatives, says Roath. The
new products are expected to be released in late September, she
says. However, preliminary versions already are being sold and
installed, and such products will be swapped for new versions when
they are officially released, she says.”