Linux running in an LPAR (without z/VM) is perfectly viable and entirely
appropriate if you have relatively stable, predictable workloads that fit,
at least over the short to medium term, within "about 6 or fewer" Linux
instances.
However, if you think you need to install Linux in an LPAR without z/VM
because you want to avoid the acquisition price of z/VM during a Linux
trial, there may be a better way. If you have a mainframe, IBM has been
known to offer Linux trials, including a limited term z/VM evaluation
license, upon request assuming you have serious interest. It doesn't hurt
to ask. That's probably a better way to go to get an accurate trial if
your end goal is to support variable Linux workloads (most are) and/or more
than "about 6" Linux instances.
Note that there are many, many Linux distributions available for System z,
and they vary in terms of quality of documentation. Some may offer better
instructions on how to install on an LPAR. Here are the major
distributions I know about:
Most popular commercially supported distributions: Novell SuSE ("SLES") and
Red Hat ("RHEL")
Others: Debian, CentOS, Slack/390 (Slackware), Gentoo
Here are the primary Web sites to download each (or to learn more):
SLES 10: http://www.novell.com/products/server/eval.html
RHEL 4: http://www.redhat.com/en_us/USA/rhel/details/eval/
Debian: http://www.us.debian.org/ports/s390/
CentOS 4: http://isoredirect.centos.org/centos/4/isos/
Slack/390: http://www.slack390.org
Gentoo: http://dev.gentoo.org/~vapier/s390/
Gentoo is quite interesting because you actually compile Linux yourself to
install it -- it's a source code only distribution.
- - - - -
Timothy Sipples
IBM Consulting Enterprise Software Architect
Specializing in Software Architectures Related to System z
Based in Tokyo, Serving IBM Japan and IBM Asia-Pacific
E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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