From Book News, Inc.
Intended for both managers and system architects, this guide examines the benefits and challenges of running the Linux operating system on IBM's S/390 and zSeries servers. Two sample companies illustrate how to perform a total cost of ownership analysis and set up Linux on the mainframe, and explore security considerations, communication methods, high availability, and how Linux can affect existing systems management. All four authors are affiliated with IBM.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


From the Back Cover
Leverage Linux on the mainframe for a true business advantage Covers zSeries and S/390 mainframes Contains over 100 pages of reference material Includes detailed examples and maximization techniquesThe complete mainframe guide to leveraging the power of LinuxLinux on the Mainframe is the comprehensive guide to the fastest growing trend in IT. IBM's Linux experts present peerless instruction in the art of planning for and making the most of a Linux mainframe. This book's in-depth coverage includes virtualization, deployment, data management, debugging, security, systems management, application porting, and much more. Sample companies that demonstrate the strengths and potential shortcomings of Linux on the mainframe Complete business analysis, including Total Cost of Ownership, server consolidation techniques, and IT infrastructure simplification Examples of deploying middleware and other tools In-depth introductions to the latest trends, developments, and technologies related to Linux on the mainframe Background information on mainframes and Linux for the lay reader Key techniques for deploying Linux servers and building integrated server environmentsFor anyone involved in the planning, deploying, management, or administration of a mainframe, Linux on the Mainframe is a vital resource.


About the Author
JOHN EILERT led the team responsible for the Integrated Facility for Linux and retired from the IBM lab in Poughkeepsie, NY, after 30 years of experience with mainframes. MARIA EISENHAENDLER,a technical writer at the IBM lab in Boeblingen, Germany, has been producing documentation for Linux on the mainframe since its inception. DOROTHEA MATTHAEUS plans technical documentation at the IBM lab in Boeblingen, Germany, where she focuses on mainframe and Linux. INGOLF SALMfocuses on IBM middleware design for Linux on the mainframe and Linux distributions at the IBM lab in Boeblingen, Germany. He has over 20 years of experience in IBM OS architecture and design.


Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
PrefaceBoth the Linux and the mainframe communities are understandably interested in the unique concepts and benefits of Linux on the mainframe. In this book, we define mainframe as being IBM's enterprise servers, that is, S/390 and zSeries servers.This guide is for anyone seeking technical or market insight regarding Linux on the mainframe. It is for the business person who looks for opportunities to consolidate servers, reduce the complexity of an infrastructure, or reduce IT costs. It is also written for the IT architect who wants to plan for, design, and implement the solutions. It is for all those who are interested in this solution.This book gives an overall perspective of the concepts that make this solution unique. It is a practical guide which helps you to reach an informed decision as to whether Linux on the mainframe is for your business. It shows examples of business solutions for Linux on the mainframe, and examples of how systems can be designed and built.While this book is not a tutorial or how-to book, it references a wealth of material that provides details about specific technical topics.Part 1, "Linux on the Mainframe - an Introduction," describes technologies that possess inherent, strong values on their own merits so that they should be considered as options for your IT projects. This part includes an introduction to Linux, an introduction to the mainframe, and an introduction to Linux on the mainframe.Part 2, "Planning for Linux," discusses the early decision points that allow a Linux on the mainframe solution to effect the bottom-line project value. Apart from these decision points, this part illustrates, with the help of two sample companies, the spectrum of possibilities open to you. It also presents a total cost-of-ownership discussion on how Linux on the mainframe can facilitate substantial savings in the enterprise.Part 3, "Is Linux on the Mainframe for Me?" is about the technical foundations that bring unique value to running applications in a Linux-on-the-mainframe environment. Virtualization, communications, and security are among the topics discussed. For example, this part describes how it is possible to have hundreds of Linux servers on one mainframe machine.Part 4, "Making the Most of Linux on the Mainframe," is about the challenge that Linux on the mainframe means to systems management. How can you preserve the benefits of tight systems management schemes that help to make mainframe environments so reliable and, at the same time, allow Linux to act as an engine for the rapid change that the marketplace demands today? This part explores the opportunities that Linux on the mainframe offers for managing availability, data, performance, and security.Part 5, "Running Applications," outlines the spectrum of uses for Linux images, ranging from independent servers to components in an integrated multi-platform environment with traditional mainframe operating systems. There is also a section with considerations for those who want to port applications from other platforms.Part 6, "Reference," provides technical details about specific Linux and mainframe functions and capabilities. It also points to some of the key software that is available to your Linux-on-the-mainframe solution, including applications, middleware, and systems management and performance tools.We have attempted to make the various topics as independent as possible, but, as with any system-level solution, all parts are interrelated. There is a fair amount of cross-referencing to allow you to find sections where a related topic is covered in more detail.The book is the result of collaboration among three current IBM employees and one retired IBM employee. Our sources are companies that use Linux on the mainframe, customer visits, and other IBM colleagues. The book, its purpose, and structure are an outgrowth of what we have learned.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
According to Gartner, last year 20 percent of all mainframe MIPS shipped by IBM were Linux based; 200-plus mainframe customers already had Linux apps in production, with more than 400 others evaluating or implementing them. Whether you￯﾿ﾽre an old S/390 hand or a Linux expert seeking greener pastures, this is an immense personal opportunity.

Linux on the Mainframe's IBM author team first introduces Linux and mainframe experts to each other and shows why Linux and IBM￯﾿ﾽs zSeries and S/390 mainframes are made for each other. ￯﾿ﾽMainframe Linux￯﾿ﾽ is the same Linux you can download, and your mainframe won￯﾿ﾽt need any special adaptation layers. IBM￯﾿ﾽs developers did, however, contribute a new architecture to the Linux source tree -- including support for the remarkable 64-bit z/Architecture.

Mainframe Linux scales superbly, and you can run literally hundreds of Linux images on one box. (Now, that￯﾿ﾽs server consolidation.) Mainframers also gain access to thousands of Linux applications -- huge, now that new development for traditional mainframe OSes has slackened.

This book covers every phase of deploying Linux on the mainframe, starting with planning: teambuilding; pilots; TCO issues; and more. There￯﾿ﾽs a detailed chapter on virtualization, as well as thorough coverage of hardening Linux security for enterprise environments.

You￯﾿ﾽll walk through installation, communications, virtual failover, high availability, system/data management, capacity planning, application porting, and integrating Linux with z/OS, and VSE/ESA.

With Linux on the Mainframe, it￯﾿ﾽs a whole new world for the penguin -- and your so-called big iron ￯﾿ﾽdinosaur.￯﾿ﾽ Bill Camarda

Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Linux on the Mainframe is the comprehensive guide to the fastest growing trend in IT. IBM's Linux experts present peerless instruction in the art of planning for and making the most of a Linux mainframe. This book's in-depth coverage includes virtualization, deployment, data management, debugging, security, systems management, application porting, and much more.Sample companies that demonstrate the strengths and potential shortcomings of Linux on the mainframeComplete business analysis, including Total Cost of Ownership, server consolidation techniques, and IT infrastructure simplificationExamples of deploying middleware and other toolsIn-depth introductions to the latest trends, developments, and technologies related to Linux on the mainframeBackground information on mainframes and Linux for the lay readerKey techniques for deploying Linux servers and building integrated server environments

For anyone involved in the planning, deploying, management, or administration of a mainframe, Linux on the Mainframe is a vital resource.

SYNOPSIS