Along with its latest mainframe announcements, IBM also beefed up its midrange-class systems, with the new PowerLinux 7R4 server as well as new software and middleware applications geared for big data, analytics and next-generation Java applications in an open cloud environment.
According to IBM, the new PowerLinux 7R4 server, built on the same Power Systems platform running IBM's Watson cognitive computing solution, can provide clients the performance required for the new business-critical and data-intensive workloads increasingly being deployed in Linux environments. IBM is also expanding the portfolio of software for Power Systems with the availability of IBM Cognos Business Intelligence and EnterpriseDB database software, each optimized for Linux on Power.
The PowerLinux 7R4 is the high-end addition to IBM's line-up of Power Systems PowerLinux servers running Linux from Red Hat and SUSE. Joining the PowerLinux 7R1 and 7R2 models, the PowerLinux 7R4 is a two- or four-socket server that supports 16 or 32 cores with high energy efficiency and diagnostic features in a 5U (EIA Units) package. Described as ideal for clients seeking a Linux solution capable of handling compute-intensive workloads including analytics, cognitive computing, database and web infrastructure, the PowerLinux 7R4 takes advantage of the same virtualization, middleware, and applications that are available on all Power Systems running Linux today.
IBM offers Linux across its entire Power Systems portfolio, enabling Linux to run alongside IBM's AIX and/or IBM i operating system software. Using IBM's PowerVM virtualization tools, clients can partition any Power Systems server into separate virtual servers, some running Linux-based applications, while others support AIX or IBM i applications.
In addition to IBM DB2 database software for Linux, which IBM says, offers an average 98% compatibility when migrating Oracle Database applications, IBM announced that EnterpriseDB's enterprise-level PostgreSQL-based database solution is now available on all Power Systems servers running Linux.
"More clients are choosing IBM’s Power Systems designed to handle mission critical and complex cloud and big data workloads in an open Linux environment," said Doug Balog, general manager for IBM Power Systems. "Responding to this need, we are aggressively investing in our open ecosystem - including new products, applications and collaborations - that support today's emerging Linux workloads.”
For more information, go here.