SUSE Easing Linux on the Mainframe with KVM for IBM z Systems Support
SEATTLE, Aug. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — (LinuxCon North America) — SUSE® today announced that the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server now features the new Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) for IBM z Systems server virtualization. This SUSE KVM solution was previously available in the form of a technical preview included in SUSE Linux Enterpriser Server. This announcement coincides with IBM’s announcement of the LinuxONE line of Linux-only mainframe servers. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is available for the IBM z Systems z196, z114, zBC12, zEC12 and z13 hardware.
“SUSE’s and IBM’s mutual support for KVM for IBM z Systems benefits our shared customers,” said Michael Miller, SUSE vice president of global alliances and marketing. “Driven by customer needs, we are typically first to collaborate with IBM and take advantage of new z Systems capabilities to provide more choice to our customers and innovation to the mainstream Linux kernel. KVM for IBM z Systems will help attract new Linux workloads to the mainframe and skilled x86 administrators who can now more easily explore the potential of Linux on the mainframe.”
The collaboration between SUSE and IBM seeks to bring a variety of new software to their shared mainframe customer base, while offering the features of IBM’s z Systems hardware to customers with experience working with Linux. SUSE and IBM are touting the mainframe’s advantages as a hardware platform for running mission-critical applications with Linux, such as high availability, lower hardware and software costs, and energy efficiency. Enhanced security features for SUSE Linux Enterprise include connections with standard mainframe security through IBM’s Identity Manager Integration Module.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is available to customers on a one- or three-year subscription basis. Pricing is based on the number of Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL) units. An IFL is a specialized processor from IBM that handles multiple Linux workloads. Customer support offered by SUSE comes in service levels ranging from “Basic” maintenance only support up to “Priority” 24×7 support with response times as short as one hour.
