IBM Linux on System z Cloud Test Drive

I could tell you a lot about Cloud on System z. When I walk through some IBM presentations, they tell me that a U.S. Bank reduced provisioning time from 45 days to 20 minutes or that there's 79% less TCA vs. leading public cloud or that IBM System z represents both the lowest TCO coupled with industry leading Qualities of Service for deploying private and/or hybrid clouds. Conclusion : "with solutions from Tivoli to automate provisioning and provide broad spectrum of key cloud capabilities, the time is now to start deploying your cloud on System z".

I know, lots of theory and I hardly dare saying it 'marketing talk'. But suppose that you could really take a test drive that offers you

• A free hands on experience using Cloud and Linux on IBM System z powered by z/VM for virtualization, Tivoli Provisioning Manager (TPM) for deployment, and a selection of 5 system images based on SUSE or Red Hat.
• With server images that will provide application server function (WebSphere) and database capabilities (DB2 or Oracle)
  
• Simple remote access over the internet to IBM Systems in Maryland
• Guided exercises for training, then up to 90 days of free access to up to 3 Linux servers running under z/VM

Well you can, it's available now ànd it's free.

You can experience Cloud on System z in different roles. You can access a user self service interface sample application remotely from office or home and deploy, operate, and delete up to three Linux on System z virtual guests. As an administrator you have hands on access to Tivoli Provisioning Manager (TPM) screens.

If you're interested you can apply via your IBM or BP representative or you can contact Mich Green at IBM. You'll see his e-mail address at the end of the terrific demo on Youtube he gives about this offering.



By the way : this is a worldwide offering.

Sampling TechDocs - up to October 2012

It's been some months, but here I am again with an overview of interesting TechDocs documents I came across while browsing through the latest publications. If you're completely unfamiliar to Techdocs, here's an introduction to it.

• Manual : zLinux – Red Hat Manual Installation Procedure and zLinux – Suse Manual Installation Procedure
  These two manuals by Jibin S Chavara give a brief introduction on installing Linux on System z. Contents cover : Create the New User Profile in z/VM, Preparing the Bootstrap files, Installation Phase, Stage 2 of the Installation...
  

• Document : IBM Mainframe Life Cycle History
  I've mentioned this one before but it has been updated to include the zEC12. So far, none of the System z systems, starting with the z900 in 2000 have become end of support. But you may also know that IBM has become a lot stricter in applying its end of marketing strategy. Marketing for the z10 BC lasted less than 4 years, with a grace period of one year for microcode upgrades. I have the impression that smaller customers do not like this (and you may call this an understatement).

• White paper : IBM z/OS Data Corruption Trends & Directions
  I cannot add anything to the introduction : "The nightly backup window has been with computing since disk and tape were invented. The good news is that with all of the synchronous and asynchronous data replication techniques available in the marketplace, data can be mirrored across the world in seconds. The bad news is that all copies of the data can and will be corrupted within seconds as well. Data Replication has not replaced the need to backup data to protect it from logical data corruption scenarios. Over the last 20 years, Data Backup techniques have improved and for z/OS this paper will explore many of the innovations in the backup/restore arena".

• Technical Document : z/OS Positioning Software for zEnterprise EC12 Server
  Here's another one I mention regularly, but with the announcement of the zEC12, it is definitely worth another look.

• White paper : Best Practices: POR in an STP Environment
  This paper documents IBM-recommended best practices for the power-on-reset (POR) of a server in an STP-only CTN.

Well that's it for now. And, as I always say : just check them out !

Red Alert for any customer running Linux on z/VM

Did you know there was a z/VM Red Alert page too. I must admit I did not. So, thanks to Pamela Christina for directing me towards it via the IBM VM discussion list. The z/VM Red Alert page can be found over here. If you want to get notified of future Red Alerts, just click on the 'Notify Me' tab on the left hand side and fill out your e-mail address.

Now, what's this Red Alert about ? Here's a quote.

APAR VM64862 is in error
APAR VM64862 has been found to be in error. Installing this APAR may result in ABENDHRM003. APAR VM64965 has been opened to correct the problem and is planned to be available by the end of April 2011.
USERS AFFECTED:
Any customers running Linux on z/VM

All details about this Red Alert can be found in the following .pdf : 2011 z/VM Red Alert

IBM announcement : zEnterprise Support for Microsoft Windows

'zEnterprise Support for Microsoft Windows (ZG11-0127)' is not really the actual announcement yet but a Statement of Direction.

In fact it's quite simple : IBM promises to deliver the roadmap "to incorporate select IBM System x technologies, originally targeted for the first half of 2011". But where originally the Linux part of the roadmap was stressed, IBM apparantly also had many requests by customers for Windows support (cf. my previous post over here). So here are the two Statements of Direction :

"In the third quarter of 2011, IBM intends to offer select IBM System x blades running Linux® on System x in the IBM zEnterprise BladeCenter Extension Model 002.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, IBM intends to offer select IBM System x blades running Microsoft Windows in the IBM zEnterprise BladeCenter Extension Model 002."

And you know what IBM adds after every SOD : "All statements regarding IBM's plans, directions, and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice".

The Novell Connection Magazine

Some time ago I had a post with a Picture of the Day.Well here's a similar one :


Where did I find it ? Well, it accompanies an article of the Novell Connection Magazine. The article is about server proliferation and all the problems it causes. The solution is of course very simple : "The New Linux Math: zEnterprise System = z196 + IFL + zBX + SUSE Linux Enterprise + zManager". Oh well, I'm not going to take part in the Suse vs. RedHat discussion. This is just another comprehensive article on the use of Linux on System z and how the story will even get more interesting once IBM will provide the x86 based servers for zBX later this year.

I also learn that apparently the IBM Smart Analytics Optimizer is a Suse Linux Enterprise-based appliance. Such an appliance is built by Suse Studio "with an integrated, preconfigured, and fully supported enterprise-class Linux operating system ready for deployment anywhere from desktop to cloud". This technology "to easily build scalable System z server images" will also be made available later in 2011.

Migrating to Linux on System z extra reading material

Just last week I gave you some reading material (mainly Redbooks) for people considering a migration to Linux on System z. And here's already an update on that post. I think this only indicates it is really getting a Hot Topic generating lots of interest from all sides.

The article I want to add to this series is 'Linux Installation Planning' by Mark Post published on the z/Journal z/VM & Linux on System z Spotlight. Here's the introduction to the article :

"For many mainframe systems programmers, trying to figure out how to install Linux, whether on the mainframe or midrange hardware, can be an extremely frustrating experience. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever done before. This article offers insight on Linux installation considerations and provides the general information you’ll need for a successful installation as well as what groups you’ll need to get involved. You won’t receive any “answers” from this article because each shop is too different for anything generic to fit well with your environment. This article will provide you with enough insight to ask the right questions. If you get all the answers, the job of installing Linux should be fairly straightforward."

Topics covered are : work together with network, storage and security people, the right architecture, disk storage selection, application selection and requirements, file system selection, backup and restore, network requirements, management tools . . .

By the way, you know you can still get the free evaluation version of z/VM 5.3 and that you can get evaluation versions of SLES or RHEL or free versions of e.g. Fedora ?

Migrating to Linux on System z reading material

The picture I used last week came from the redbook : 'Practical Migration to Linux on System z' which was published a couple of weeks ago. This is a well-written publication on migrating/consolidating workloads to Linux on System z. It gives you a high-level tchnical overview on how to tackle such a migration project. Or as the authors state it : "(...) we attempt to present an end-to-end view of the technical challenges and methods necessary to complete a successful migration to Linux on System z". I particularly like the part on the migration analysis starting with z/vm and Linux on system z technical aspects (not too technical) and further focusing on Network analysis, Storage analysis, Application analysis, Database analysis, Backup analysis, Security analysis, Operational analysis and Disaster Recovery and Availability analysis. There are also some example cases.

So for some one who's (even only remotely) considering this kind of migration, this is definitely worth a read.

If you want to go a bit further down this path, you might also be interested in one or more of the following publications :

• The manual Getting Started with Linux on System z (SC24-6194-00). I really want to quote the titles of most of the chapters of this manual as it gives you a wealth of technical information on the topic : About z/VM, Planning for Linux Virtual Servers, Changing the System Configuration, Configuring the Directory Maintenance Facility, Configuring TCP/IP, Restarting z/VM and checking the system, Creating your first Linux virtual Machine and installing linux, Cloning Linux Virtual servers . . .

• Redbook z/VM and Linux on IBM System z The Virtualization Cookbook for SLES 10 SP2. "The publication adopts a cookbook format that provides you with a concise, repeatable set of procedures for installing and configuring z/VM in a logical partition (LPAR), and then installing and customizing Linux".

• Redbook z/VM and Linux on IBM System z The Virtualization Cookbook for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.2. Same format, but this time for Red Hat.

• Redbook z/VM and Linux Operations for z/OS System Programmers. I guess the abstract of this book really sums up accurately what it's about : "Although other books have been written about many of these topics, this book gives enough information about each topic to describe z/VM and Linux on IBM System z operations to somebody who is new to both environments. This book is intended for z/OS programmers and system programmers who are transitioning to the z/VM and Linux on System z environments and who want a translation guide for assistance." You can take this translating very literally. Very often z/VM concepts are compared to the z/OS ones in order to make clear how they are similar to or different from z/OS.
  

So, if you're about to start with Linux on System z, you have (to my opinion) some nice starting material gathered here, no matter whether or not you're already familiar with z/VM or Linux (on System z).

Short Takes

Here some short messages on publications, sites, events, podcasts . . .

• Sysprog.org : Mainframe Systems Programming
  I like to refer to some good or promising sites once in a while and this is one of them. This site wants to collect all kinds of information for the mainframe systems programmer. It has a very nice section on mainframe websites and blogs itself even with a small review on each site. The homepage is also interesting because the Something to read part intends to gather information from different sites so you have a central point referring to all kinds of new information which is mainframe related. It has my blog included and I hope others will follow.

• Red Hat-IBM-RealDolmen event : the presentations
  Some time ago I wrote about the joint Red Hat - IBM - RealDolmen event, but I still had to give you a link to the presentations. Well, they're all over here. I particularly liked the presentations about Red Hat subscription model and offerings and Why and how to conduct a Proof of Concept?

• When did IBM first open its offices in my town ?
  This is a nice FAQ I came across via the IBM-MAIN discussion list. It's from the IBM Archives site and there are other interesting, intriguing, funny questions like e.g. 'What is the origin of IBM’s “THINK” motto?' or 'What was the IBM type ...' starting from Type 1 up to Type 7656, What is the origin of the term “Big Blue?”. It also gives a historical overview of the mainframe.

• Abis DB2 newsletter
  Recently, Guido Indesteege from ABIS (a Belgian Training & Consulting Company) drew my attention to their DB2 newsletter. This is a newsletter covering application programming, best practices, maintenance, new functionalities . . . Unfortunately for some readers : it only appears in Dutch !
  

New initiative : Mainframe Linux Wiki

I think this is an initiative worth mentioning and I hope it'll be a successfull one. It was cross-posted by Mark Post on the Linux-390, IBMVM, and IBM-Main Discussion lists : "With the assistance of Marist College (and Velocity Software who owns the domain name), I've put up a Wiki at http://wiki.linuxvm.org/wiki/ for people to contribute content". This should become a wiki for mainframe Linux an z/VM and it's now up to people like you and me who want to share their knowledge and experience with the rest of us.

Suggested topics so far include :

• Technical Presentations
• Technical Documentation
• Relevant IBM Redbooks
• Installation on z/VM
• Installation in an LPAR
• Performance Management
• Backup and Restore
• Projects and Software

For the moment only the 'Technical Presentations' has content with already a nice collection of presentations from previous Share, WAVV, System z Expo ... meetings.

As I said, I hope this becomes a success story !

Red Hat Webinars : Get the Hype on System z

Yesterday I attended the joint IBM - Red Hat - RealDolmen event on Red Hat on System z. There were some really nice presentations. If you couldn't attend the session, I'll give you the links as soon as they're available on the web.

Red Hat really has a very dynamic Benelux team and I guess it's no different elsewhere. They have dedicated people focusing on System z and if you still think zLinux and Suse are synonyms, then think again. In a couple of years they now have gained a share of almost 40% of the Linux on System z market.

If you want to learn more about it or for that matter about Linux on System z in general, you should really have a look at the three webinars they are giving on Red Hat on System z. I just watched the playback of the first one : 'What's all the Hype about System z?' and I must say it's really worth spending an hour's time on it. It's also a great presentation for people not involved into mainframe up to now. It gives e.g. some explanations on 'mainframe-speak' and it elaborates on things we use to take for granted. And that are exactly the arguments you'll need to convince non-mainframers of the value of the mainframe. Ok, you got the message : check it out !

There are two more webinars coming up :

• 'z/VM vs. Distributed Hypervisor Matchup: z/VM Holds the Title by Reed Mullen (IBM) and Shawn Wells (Red Hat) on September 17, 2009 at 8 p.m. Brussels Time
• Current & Future Linux on System z Technology by Hans-Joachim Picht (IBM) and Shawn Wells (Red Hat) on September 24, 2009 at 5 p.m. Brussels Time
  

Update Joint IBM - RedHat - RealDolmen event

Hi, I'm back in Blogtown after a couple of weeks of vacation. And I'm starting with an update on my last post.

I told you about the joint IBM - RedHat event about 'Server consolidation on IBM System z with Red Hat Enterprise Linux' on September 3, 2009. RealDolmen was already involved but now it's officially an event 'in collaboration with RealDolmen'.

You can find the new RealDolmen invitation over here.

Since my last post was three weeks ago, I see that I have some catching up to do. I'm definitely going to talk about z/OS 1.11 and z/OSMF. I'm also going to put the agenda up to date as soon as possible.

Joint IBM - RedHat event

Now I'm really taking a break. Don't expect any new posts for about 3 weeks. But I want to use this last post to make some publicity for a joint IBM - RedHat event that's taking place at the IBM Forum in Brussels on September 3, 2009.

My company RealDolmen is one of two premier business partners of RedHat in Belgium and we're the only one who's also a certified business partner for IBM System z.

So to all my Belgian readers, consider this as an invitation for the event.
You will find the same invitation at the Registration page.

The reliability and security of the mainframe has been proven for decades. Linux has established the same reputation for Intel architectures within only 10 years.

Can you imagine the combination of IBM Mainframe with Red Hat Enterprise Linux? Bank of New Zealand bought an IBM System z10 Mainframe only to run Linux on it. Consolidating about 130 servers into a single one! And the result? 38% savings in energy cost; less heat, CO2 emissions and regained space.

IBM and Red Hat invite you to learn about the reality of the winning combination of mainframe and Linux. Get all the insights why Red Hat Enterprise Linux on IBM System z10 will make your IT life easier.

What: 'Server consolidation on IBM System z with Red Hat Enterprise Linux'
When: Thursday 3 September 2009 from 12.00-17.00
Where:IBM Forum Brussels - Belgium
Avenue du Bourget/Bourgetlaan 42, B-1130

Agenda:

• 12:00 - 12:30 Lunch
• 12:30 - 12:40 Welcome
• 12:40 - 12:50 About the IBM & Red Hat alliance
• 12:50 - 13:30 System z Hardware update and introduction
• 13:30 - 14:15 An introduction to Linux on the mainframe
• 14:15 - 14:30 Coffee Break
• 14:30 - 15:15 Linux on System z10 Solutions for your data center
• 15:15 - 15:45 Red Hat subscription model and offerings for mainframe
• 15:45 - 16:15 Why and how to conduct a Proof of Concept?
• 16:15 - 17:00 Success with System z10: Clients success stories
• 17:00 - 18:00 Closing and drinks

If Mainframe sounds expensive to you, then you really should attend and ask about the System z10 BC Enterprise Linux Server. You will be surprised.

z/VSE documentation

I was looking for a VSE customer presentation of some time ago and I was amazed to see how many recent presentations I found on the z/VSE Documentation page. Just go to the presentations tab and you'll find a wealth of different presentations over there. Theyre divided into categories :

• IBM Technical conference presentations
• WAVV presentations
• Presentations from other conferences
• Presentations from z/VSE Live Virtual Classes

and there's also an archive that's going way back to the year 2000. But there's more. Any one who says VM or VSE often also says zLinux. You might want to check out the 'Linux for S/390 - It's Cool Part 1 and Part 2' presentations from 2000. These presentations themselves are very cool. You might call them old news, but if you want to see the very basics of zLinux, it's the place to be. They explain things which every one takes for granted now or . . . doesn't even remember any more.

As I always say, just check it out !