The Linux operating system (OS) has earned a reputation for flexibility and cost effectiveness, resulting in rapid growth of the number of supported applications—both custom-built and ISV packages. More and more companies are turning to Linux applications—and more of these applications are becoming integral to their success. IBM offers an enterprise-class Linux on POWER™ server solution for business-critical applications by combining a Linux OS from a Linux distributor with an IBM System p™ server or BladeCenter® blade server.

IBM Power Architecture™ servers have a well-earned reputation for high performance and superior RAS (reliability, availability, serviceability) features, a reputation that is proven by IBM System p server and BladeCenter blade leadership in the UNIX® and Linux marketplaces. The foundation is advanced IBM POWER5+™, POWER6™ and PowerPC® processor technology. With these advanced 64-bit chips, IBM servers lead challengers in many key benchmarks1. The Linux on POWER operating system can take advantage of this high-performance architecture.

In addition, IBM has enabled a wide range of RAS features on these servers for the Linux operating system, offering a platform to keep business-critical applications up and running. To complete the solution, these servers offer the extraordinary efficiency available with advanced virtualization technologies. System p and BladeCenter platforms offer options for logical partitioning and available IBM Micro-Partitioning™ technologies, allowing the allocation of system resources to match the needs of a business.

IBM is working with Red Hat, Inc., Novell SUSE Linux and ASIANUX (in China, Japan and Korea) as Linux Distribution Companies to deliver tested Linux operating systems supporting System p and BladeCenter platforms. IBM provides the ability to order a full distribution of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Versions 4 or 5 or SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 9 or 10 in conjunction with new System p and BladeCenter server purchases.2 By bringing these servers together with the Linux operating system, you get the best of both worlds: the enterprise-class capabilities of the System p or BladeCenter platforms and the flexibility and cost advantages of the Linux OS.