IBM unveils new PowerLinux server for analytics, cloud computing
30 Jul 2013
IBM is accelerating its Linux on Power initiative with a new high-performance PowerLinux server as well as new software and middleware applications targeting at the growing number of clients using big data, analytics and next generation Java applications in an open cloud environment.
The new PowerLinux 7R4 server, built on the Power Systems platform that runs IBM's Watson cognitive computing solution, is capable of processing the new business-critical and data-intensive workloads.
IBM is expanding the portfolio of software for Power Systems with the availability of IBM Cognos Business Intelligence and EnterpriseDB database software, each optimised for Linux on Power.
"More clients are choosing IBM's Power Systems designed to handle mission critical and complex cloud and big data workloads in an open Linux environment," said Doug Balog, general manager for IBM Power Systems. "Responding to this need, we are aggressively investing in our open ecosystem, including new products, applications and collaborations that support today's emerging Linux workloads.''
The PowerLinux 7R4 is the high-end addition to IBM's line-up of Power Systems PowerLinux 7R1 and 7R2 model servers running standard Linux from Red Hat and SUSE. PowerLinux 7R4 delivers a new level of performance with up to 4 sockets and 32 cores and is ideal for clients seeking a Linux solution for compute-intensive workloads, including analytics, cognitive computing, database and web infrastructure, IBM said in its release.
PowerLinux 7R4 takes advantage of the same virtualistion, middleware, and applications that are available on all power systems running Linux.
IBM said the number of clients running Linux on Power Systems for critical business workloads is increasing.
"When we want to do something new, Linux on Power is one of our go-to platforms," said Nigel Fortlage, vice president information technology and social business leader for GHY International. ''The performance, security and cost efficiencies inherent in Power Systems make it a superior foundation for the growing number of Linux-based applications available today.''
With today's announcement, now businesses and organisations of all sizes have more flexibility and choice when considering systems that support open computing. Local governments and businesses in a variety of industries such as healthcare, telecommunications, retail and banking can leverage the PowerLinux 7R4 and the new software and middleware to gain competitive advantage with fast, data-driven insight.
In addition to IBM DB2 database software for Linux, which offers an average 98 per cent compatibility when migrating Oracle Database applications, IBM announced that EnterpriseDB's enterprise-level PostgreSQL-based database solution is now available on all Power Systems servers running Linux.
Both the EnterpriseDB and IBM DB2 database software can provide IBM Power Systems clients an open computing platform with the flexibility and innovation of Linux married with the foundation of Power Systems, IBM said.
IBM has participated in a wide range of open source projects since 1999, and today this includes Open Stack, Open Daylight, KVM, Apache and Eclipse in addition to Linux.
