Businesses demand IT solutions that are relevant, reliable and faster than ever. Infrastructure and business-specific workloads proliferate as companies grow and address new market needs. The result for data centers is increased server acquisition, expanded storage, new databases, increased floor space and more power consumption.

1. IBM Systems and Technology IBM Power Systems
Solution Brief
IBM PowerLinux Open
Source Infrastructure
Services
Affordable end-to-end infrastructure applications
solution for midsize businesses
Businesses demand IT solutions that are relevant, reliable and faster than
Highlights ever. Infrastructure and business-specific workloads proliferate as com-
panies grow and address new market needs. The result for data centers is
●● ● ●
Optimized, open source infrastructure increased server acquisition, expanded storage, new databases, increased
workloads solution for faster services
floor space and more power consumption. IT costs continue to grow, yet
●● ● ●
Exceptional reliability and security companies are forced to find ways to reduce expenses.
with IBM® POWER7® technology and
IBM PowerVM® virtualization
Linux has proven that open source applications are as robust as software
●● ● ●
More throughput per server than developed in traditional ways. As a result, Linux is becoming the open
x86 commodity servers
standards choice for deploying new workloads that are flexible, secure,
●● ● ●
Compelling economics to reduce IT costs and cost effective.
Organizations are transforming their IT infrastructures to Linux and
open source applications to manage their business. By 2016, it is
estimated that open source software will be included in mission-critical
software portfolios in 99 percent of Global 2000 enterprises.1
To offset IT software costs, companies are replacing more expensive
infrastructure applications with robust open source offerings running on
Linux. Open source applications bring savings and flexibility but they can
be daunting for companies to deploy and manage. Assembling a solution
with components and technology from multiple open source community
projects or vendors can result in a complex, hard to manage environment.
Small IT organizations in particular do not have the bandwidth to archi-
tect or maintain their own solutions. These companies are looking for
affordable, ready-to-deploy, end-to-end infrastructure solutions.

2. IBM Systems and Technology IBM Power Systems
Solution Brief
To reduce IT hardware costs, companies are leveraging virtual-
ized environments to consolidate workloads on to fewer physi-
cal servers. With virtualization, IT organizations are able to
lower their x86 server sprawl (less floor space and energy
consumption, and fewer servers to manage) but are also faced
with new challenges such as virtualization system overhead,
and high virtualization software costs. IT staff are looking for a
more affordable, efficient virtualization solution.
IBM PowerLinux™ Open Source Infrastructure Services is an
ideal platform for fast delivery of essential email, web serving,
file/print, and other infrastructure workloads. It provides all
the components—key open source infrastructure workloads,
Industry standards-based Linux, IBM PowerVM virtualization
technology, and IBM POWER7 performance optimized for
Linux in an end-to-end solution ready for you to deploy.
IBM PowerLinux Open Source Infrastructure Services uses IBM PowerLinux reliability
open source applications such as: IBM PowerLinux Open Source Infrastructure Services runs
on the IBM PowerLinux 7R2 server, a highly secure, resilient
●● ●
Mail serving: Includes industry-leading open source mail Linux optimized system, enabling faster time-to-delivery. The
serving applications such as Postfix, Dovecot, Cyrus, IBM PowerLinux 7R2 server is a dense, Linux-only two-socket
Fetchmail, Procmail and SpamAssassin. rack form factor with sixteen POWER7 processor cores.
●● ●
Web serving: Leverages the LAMP architecture for open POWER7 technologies in the IBM PowerLinux 7R2 server
source web serving functions with Linux, Apache, MySQL, such as Intelligent Threads and Active Memory Sharing can
and PHP/Perl scripts also improve workload performance2 and server return on
●● ●
File/print serving: Using Samba this solution allows file investment.
and print sharing between computers based on PowerLinux,
Linux x86, Microsoft Windows and UNIX operating
systems.
●● ●
Network infrastructure serving: Manages network traffic “ The effect of virtualization on productivity
with advanced capabilities like virtual networking (virtio was astounding, astounding because it
and vhost-net), next generation internet protocol, IPv6, and allowed us to concentrate on new services
load-balancing with the BIND DNS server and Squid web
caching server.
to support GHY’s business strategy. We
were able to add hundreds of thousands of
dollars of value to the business as a result.”
—Nigel Fortlage, Vice President of IT, GHY International
2

3. IBM Systems and Technology IBM Power Systems
Solution Brief
IBM PowerLinux rack servers are designed to allow more work Higher hardware utilization
to be processed with less operational disruption.3 Reliability, IBM PowerLinux Open Source Infrastructure Services exploits
availability and serviceability (RAS) capabilities include recovery industrial-strength PowerVM technology to fully utilize the
from intermittent errors or failover to redundant components, system. IBM PowerVM for IBM PowerLinux is available
detection and reporting of failures and impending failures, and exclusively for the IBM PowerLinux rack server. This is a new
self-healing hardware that automatically initiates actions to edition of PowerVM that provides enterprise-level functionality
effect error correction, repair or component replacement. In with comparable pricing to x86 virtualization solutions.
addition, the Processor Instruction Retry feature provides for
the continuous monitoring of processor status with the capabil- IBM PowerVM for IBM PowerLinux provides the capability
ity to restart a processor if certain errors are detected. If to dynamically adjust system resources to partitions based on
required, workloads are redirected to alternate processors, all workload demands, and allows virtual machines (VMs) to
without disruption to application execution. And, with the Live access the maximum amount of memory and CPU cores
Partition Mobility feature of PowerVM, IBM PowerLinux available in the server. PowerVM features such as Multiple
rack server workloads can be moved between servers, while still Shared Processor Pools, Shared Dedicated Capacity and Active
running, to eliminate planned downtime. Memory Sharing enable workloads peeks, whether anticipated
or unanticipated, to be handled efficiently by the system’s
IBM PowerLinux rack servers provide a secure environment resources. The result is greater throughput per server.6
for business critical and infrastructure workloads. In contrast
to other architectures and virtualization solutions, IBM is The virtualization efficiencies of IBM PowerVM for
known for its unique architecture that delivers the virtualized IBM PowerLinux enable consolidation of single workload
environment from bare metal through the hypervisor. servers in a scale-out environment to fewer servers, thus
IBM PowerVM is certified at an Evaluated Assurance reducing server sprawl, simplifying server management, and
Level 4+.4 Zero vulnerabilities have been reported against decreasing IT costs.
PowerVM5 making it a secure, stable environment for essential
infrastructure workloads.
“ With IBM PowerLinux Open Source
Infrastructure Services, we can operate
our OpenAFS system reliably, and there
is still room to put other infrastructure
services on additional virtual machines.”
—Bodo Krause-Kyora, Head of Systems and Deputy Director at PHYSnet
3

4. IBM Systems and Technology IBM Power Systems
Solution Brief
Lower cost per workload ●● ●
Easy maintenance and support through a single point of
IBM PowerLinux Open Source Infrastructure Services help IT contact for the solution.
centers reduce costs. Open source infrastructure applications on ●● ●
Affordable financing terms.
a Linux-optimized, proven enterprise-level platform deliver the
advantage of POWER7 industry leading performance, reliabil- POWER7 performance, reliability and security in the
ity, availability and serviceability capabilities that save planned IBM PowerLinux 7R2 server provide an affordable, high
and unplanned outage time, fewer repair actions and higher quality platform for midsize businesses. Workloads that
server utilization. previously relied on x86 based servers due to cost constraints
can now benefit from the advantages IBM Power
IBM PowerLinux Open Source Infrastructure Services lowers Architecture® has brought to large enterprises.
cost per workload with:
Industry standard Linux, solution tuned
●● ●
Four intelligent threads per core for thread intensive web to the task
applications, resulting in fewer cores per application. IBM PowerLinux Open Source Infrastructure Services inte-
●● ●
High performance per core for greater aggregate throughput, grates Linux, open source applications, virtualization software
resulting in fewer cores per application. and Linux-optimized hardware into a tuned solution for infra-
●● ●
Eight higher frequency cores per socket, enabling more structure workloads. Linux is an industry-standard operating
workloads to be supported per server. system that runs on the IBM PowerLinux server and exploits
●● ●
PowerVM micro-partitioning at 1/10th of a core, allowing the advanced hardware and software capabilities of IBM Power
up to 160 unique virtual machines on a single server. Systems™.
●● ●
Active Memory Sharing requires less memory for each
workload, resulting in the need for less memory per server. More companies are choosing Linux for their Power platform
●● ●
Fewer disruptions for planned and unplanned outages. OS because it offers the advantages of Power scalability, RAS,
●● ●
High server utilization through virtualization. performance and virtualization features with the benefits of
●● ●
Less floor space and energy consumption resulting from Linux—choice of open source code, simple maintenance, and
server sprawl. reduced acquisition and support costs. With IBM PowerLinux
●● ●
Greater server throughput by taking advantage of virtualized Open Source Infrastructure Services midsize businesses are able
system resource utilization efficiencies. to leverage the benefits of an open source OS yet still leverage
●● ●
Competitive licensing and support subscriptions with compa- Power specific features, thus lowering acquisition and ongoing
rable x86 solutions. infrastructure costs.
4

5. IBM Systems and Technology IBM Power Systems
Solution Brief
IBM PowerLinux Open Source Infrastructure Services lever- Why IBM?
ages industry prominent Linux distributors Red Hat and SUSE Since 2000, IBM has embraced Linux as strategic to its
for the latest enterprise Linux server code. The open source systems strategy, starting with investing over US$1 billion to
infrastructure components used in IBM PowerLinux Open back the Linux movement. IBM’s support of the Linux com-
Source Infrastructure Services are optimized and tuned for munity grabbed the attention of CEOs and CIOs around the
PowerLinux.7 These components are included with commercial globe and—in partnership with companies like Red Hat and
Linux distributions from Red Hat and SUSE, and supported SUSE—has helped Linux become accepted as a new standard
by Red Hat, SUSE or IBM. Open source applications like for the business world.
email, file and print, web and network infrastructure can be
installed and configured in IBM PowerLinux Open Source Through IBM developer participation in Linux communities,
Infrastructure Services using the IBM Installation Toolkit. The IBM contributes to the development and optimization of
Installation Toolkit simplifies the set up of infrastructure Linux.7 IBM knows that involvement with Linux relies on
workloads by stepping users through their configuration for collaboration and influence, not on control, and has benefited
quick deployment. greatly from the wisdom of the crowds. And, contributions
made by IBM are recognized and valued by the Linux commu-
IBM PowerLinux Open Source Infrastructure Services offers nity. In 2011, readers of the Linux Journal selected IBM as
the economics and flexibility of open source software with the winner of the "Best Linux Server Vendor" category in
support from one vendor vs. multiple service providers which its 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards.8
can be costly and time consuming. With IBM PowerLinux
Open Source Infrastructure Services, IBM can be the single Today, Linux is a fundamental component of IBM’s business—
point of contact for the entire solution. deeply embedded in hardware like POWER7 servers, highly
optimized with Linux software built on open source projects
With Linux-optimized POWER7 processors, workload like Samba, Apache Hadoop, and broadly supported by Linux
optimizing technologies, and advanced virtualization capabilities architects on IBM’s services teams.
at competitive pricing, midsize businesses can run Linux appli-
cations quickly, efficiently, and affordably. IBM PowerLinux IBM has completed tens of thousands of Linux customer
Open Source Infrastructure Services offers a compelling engagements, and facilitated thousands of migrations to Linux.
economic model for infrastructure services that gets the most We offer the widest range of hardware, middleware, and
out of your investment. services products for Linux in the industry. We support Linux
on all modern IBM Systems. And we back IBM PowerLinux
solutions with a full line of implementation, support and migra-
tion services.
5

6. For more information
To learn more about IBM PowerLinux Open Source
Infrastructure Services, please contact your IBM representative
or IBM Business Partner, or visit the following website:
ibm.com/power/powerlinux
© Copyright IBM Corporation 2012
Additionally, IBM Global Financing can help you acquire the IBM Corporation
IT solutions that your business needs in the most cost-effective Systems and Technology Group
Route 100
and strategic way possible. We’ll partner with credit-qualified Somers, NY 10589
clients to customize an IT financing solution to suit your busi-
Produced in the United States of America
ness goals, enable effective cash management, and improve your April 2012
total cost of ownership. IBM Global Financing is your smartest
IBM, the IBM logo, ibm.com, Power Systems, POWER7, PowerVM, and
choice to fund critical IT investments and propel your business IBM PowerLinux are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.,
forward. For more information, visit: ibm.com/financing registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Other product and service
names might be trademarks of IBM or other companies. A current list of
IBM trademarks is available on the web at “Copyright and trademark
information” at ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml
PowerLinux uses the registered trademark Linux pursuant to a sublicense
from LMI, the exclusive licensee of Linus Torvalds, owner of the Linux
mark on a world-wide basis.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States,
other countries, or both.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States, other countries, or both.
UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States
and other countries.
This document is current as of the initial date of publication and may be
changed by IBM at any time. Not all offerings are available in every
country in which IBM operates.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED
“AS IS” WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES
5 Zero vulnerabilities reported against PowerVM by US CERT or by OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
MITRE Corporation http://www.us-cert.gov/alerts-and-tips/ PURPOSE AND ANY WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF
http://cve.mitre.org/ NON-INFRINGEMENT. IBM products are warranted according to the
6 IBM PowerVM Virtualization Technology on IBM POWER7 Systems. terms and conditions of the agreements under which they are provided.
A Comparison of PowerVM and VMware vSphere (4.1 & 5.0). 1 Gartner, open source code in Global enterprises http://www.gartner.com/
Virtualization Performance http://www.ibm.com/systems/power/
technology/cio-priorities/open-source-software.jsp
software/linux/powerlinux/claims.html
2 POWER7 Intelligent Threads Published on http://www.ibm.com/
7 “Linux Kernel Development: How fast it is going, who is doing it,
support/techdocs/atsmastr.nsf/WebIndex/FQ128785
what they are doing, and who is sponsoring it”, March 2012.
3 Server Availability: ITIC 2011 Global Server Hardware & Server OS
http://go.linuxfoundation.org/e/6342/ho-writes-linux-2012/879kf/
221839922 Reliability Survey Results http://itic-corp.com/blog/2011/12/ibm-stratus-
8 microsoft-score-high-marks-in-itic-fall-2011-global-reliabillitty-survey/
Linux Journal 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards, “Best Linux Server
4
Vendor”, December 1, 2011 http://www.linuxjournal.com/ PowerVM security source: http://www.ibm.com/systems/power/software/
slideshow/readers-choice-2011 security/solutions.html
Please Recycle
POS03098-USEN-00