x86 Linux Applications Now on IBM�s P Servers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 25, 2007 -- IBM introduced an open beta version of a virtual Linux environment that enables x86 Linux applications to run without modification on POWER processor-based IBM System p servers. The technology, called the IBM System p Application Virtual Environment or System p AVE, is designed to open a universe of thousands of x86 Linux applications to the System p platform.

IBM intends to extend the leadership of System p servers to the Linux marketplace; the platform is already the number one UNIX server with a 31.5 percent revenue share worldwide in 2006, according to IDC . IBM posted 14% first quarter revenue growth for System p products this year.

With nearly 2,800 applications that already run natively on Linux on System p servers, System p AVE will allow most x86 Linux binaries to run unmodified as well, which will expand the x86 workloads that can be moved to a System p server, thereby increasing the power, cooling and space savings customers can get by consolidating x86 server footprints onto System p products.

Today's customers want to get more out of their IT investments and are already moving Linux workloads to virtual server environments that allow the consolidation of multiple servers onto a single platform. To do this they need a systems approach that maximizes system resource utilization, manageability and flexibility as well as provides 'no excuses' reliability and scalability. Offering leadership in flexibility and server optimization for Linux workloads, IBM System p Advanced POWER virtualization was awarded Best Virtualization Solution in the 2006 Linux Journal Product Excellence Awards at LinuxWorld Conference & EXPO.

IBM currently has more than 25 participants in a successful private beta program for p AVE and today is dramatically expanding the beta program via a web-based download to include all customers, IBM business partners and independent software vendors ( ISVs ).

Initial testing shows that clients should be able to easily install and run a wide range of x86 Linux applications on System p and BladeCenter JS20 and JS21 servers that are using a Linux operating system. These applications should run, without any change to the application and without having to predefine that application to the Linux on POWER operating system with p AVE installed. The system will "just know" the application is a Linux x86 binary at runtime and run it automatically in a p AVE environment. Behind the scenes, p AVE creates a virtual x86 environment and file structure, and executes x86 Linux applications by dynamically translating and mapping x86 instructions and system calls to a POWER Architecture processor-based system. It uses caching to optimize performance, so an application's performance can actually increase the longer it runs.

Using p AVE, IBM expects ISVs that don't already have a native Linux on POWER product to be able to expand their addressable market to System p servers at minimal cost by allowing them to run their existing x86 Linux applications on these servers without having to recompile, release new media or documentation, or maintain a unique product offering for POWER technology. IBM intends to leverage its highly successful Chiphopper program to help those ISVs support System p servers with the x86 Linux version of their application.

Source: http://www.playfuls.com/

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