On Thu, Sep 10, 2015 at 1:44 AM, Timothy Sipples <[email protected]> wrote:
> One of my pet peeves is that some people -- even a few "experts" -- in the > IT industry persist in using the term "open system" to refer to whatever is > not a mainframe. I believe words ought to have meaning, including the word > "open." So let's take a look at what some people still continue to call an > "open system," Microsoft Windows Server (on X86-based servers), and compare > that to z/OS on an IBM z System. Let's consider Microsoft Windows Server > 2016 (in beta testing currently and scheduled for release in early 2016) > with z/OS 2.2 (scheduled for release later this month). While it's possible > Microsoft and IBM could change their products before release, I do not > expect any material changes that would affect this particular comparison. > > <snip> Total agreement. However, there are truly open systems - to me that means any system which has an OSI approved license: Linux, the *BSDs, and perhaps others. The only one which I consider to be truly Enterprise Ready is Linux. OK, mainly because only Linux runs on z hardware. IMO, a totally free (gratis & libre) software system is possible using z hardware using Linux, Apache, and PostgreSQL (RDMS). I don't claim that this would be as reliable as z/OS & DB/2. But I would be shocked if it were not more reliable than Wintel. Assuming, of course, equally competent IT people. FWIW - I refer to Wintel systems as "distributed systems" instead of "open systems". Mainly because they can only be reliable when there are "fall over" systems in "hot ready" and only if the workload is "distributed" amongst multiple systems. I have _never_ heard of any z/OS system (single image) being replaced by a _single_ Windows server doing the equivalent. Regardless of the supposed power of the underlying Intel hardware. We can't even run an FTP and Web server on the same Windows image. Or, at least we don't. "One function, one server" seems to be the Windows way. That is one reason why VMware is a necessity, to multiplex the Intel hardware. Linux is the answer for those of us who lost the "Just say No! to OCO" wars. Of course, given the current business climate, Linux requires more expertise to install and maintain than z/OS. And thus can use less expensive people. Schrodinger's backup: The condition of any backup is unknown until a restore is attempted. Yoda of Borg, we are. Futile, resistance is, yes. Assimilated, you will be. He's about as useful as a wax frying pan. 10 to the 12th power microphones = 1 Megaphone Maranatha! <>< John McKown ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
