IBM introduced a series of new Linux-based systems and solutions intended to help companies exploit the cost efficiency of Linux and virtualization for business-critical workloads. The new offerings, dubbed IBM PowerLinux Systems and Solutions, offer integration of new Linux-specific POWER7 processor-based hardware with Linux software from Red Hat and SUSE for analyzing big data, managing industry-specific applications and delivering open source infrastructure services.
The new IBM PowerLinux Solutions consist of two new Linux-specific servers. The first, IBM Flex System p24L Compute Node, is a system for the recently announced IBM PureFlex System, part of the new IBM PureSystems family of systems. The server is a Linux-specific two-socket server that contains 12 or 16 POWER7 microprocessor cores, option of Red Hat Enterprise Linux or SUSE Linux Enterprise Server operating systems, and built-in PowerVM for PowerLinux. The second server, IBM PowerLinux 7R2 System, is a two-socket, high-performance, energy-efficient rack server that supports 16 POWER7 microprocessor cores and a choice of running Red Hat Enterprise Linux or SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.
"As CIOs seek to transform their IT department from a cost center to a strategic asset, many have a misconception that deploying Linux on x86 servers equipped with VMware software is their only option for taking advantage of open source applications," according to Colin Parris, general manager of IBM Power Systems. "Serving the Linux market with Power Systems is an important initiative for IBM. With IBM PowerLinux solutions and systems, customers now have alternatives, as well as an ecosystem of support from our global partners to get the right solution hardware, software and services."
The three new PowerLinux Solutions include IBM PowerLinux Big Data Analytics Solution, IBM PowerLinux Industry Application Solution and IBM PowerLinux Open Source Infrastructure Services Solution.
The threaded, parallel processing capabilities of IBM PowerLinux Systems provide compute and I/O performance for big data analytics projects using Apache Hadoop, a software framework that enables distributed processing of large data sets across clusters of computers, the vendor says.
IBM PowerLinux Industry Application Solution is intended to provide an integrated platform stack for industry applications. The IBM PowerLinux Open Source Infrastructure Services Solution is designed to offer control over server and virtual image sprawl with the addition of the new PowerVM for PowerLinux virtualization technology.
For more information on IBM PowerLinux Solutions, visit www.ibm.com/power/powerlinux.