IBM announced an application development cloud called the IBM Power Development Platform, providing software developers with no-charge access over the cloud to IBM Power Systems servers to build, port and test applications. The platform provides developers worldwide with remote access to the latest IBM POWER7 and POWER7+ processor-based servers running Linux, AIX and IBM i operating systems. Once up and running on the PDP, users have access to the same hardware platform -- Power Systems -- that, together with Linux, powers IBM Watson's cognitive computing solutions.
IBM is targeting Linux developers using more powerful, modern servers
IBM is targeting Linux developers seeking and using more powerful, modern servers built to handle the new wave of open, collaborative applications built for Big Data, mobile and social business computing. The platform includes a new Linux porting image with IBM DB2 10.x, IBM WebSphere 8.5.5, and the latest Linux development tools for Power. The platform also serves as an entry point to the full IBM Software Group Software Access Catalog, which contains current versions of hundreds of downloadable IBM software applications.
"The new era of computing upon us requires more from technology infrastructure -- faster insights, greater efficiency, tighter collaboration," said Doug Balog, general manager of IBM Power Systems. "Now more than ever we're seeing a lot of new, exciting things being done on the Power platform. Our new development cloud will serve as a springboard for innovation from a talented development community.”
Prior to the launch of the PDP, IBM offered virtual access to Power servers through an online resource called the Virtual Loaner Program.
Samsung Electronics joins the OpenPOWER Foundation
In a separate announcement, IBM said that Samsung Electronics has joined the OpenPOWER Foundation -- an open development alliance based on IBM's Power microprocessor architecture. The OpenPOWER Foundation, announced in August 2013, intends to build advanced server, networking, storage and acceleration technology aimed at delivering more choice, control and flexibility to developers of next-generation, hyper-scale and cloud data centers. The group makes POWER hardware and software available to open development for the first time, as well as making POWER intellectual property licensable to others, greatly expanding the ecosystem of innovators on the platform.
For more information on IBM Power Systems, go to www.ibm.com/power.
More details on the OpenPOWER Foundation are available at www.open-power.org.