Eric, For information on installing, and very basic configuration, the Distribution Redbook (pointed to at the top of linuxvm.org as Neale mentioned) would be a good choice. Also listed there are later Redbooks that cover many, many, more advanced topics when you get to that point.
Which distribution you choose depends on a lot of factors. The one you mention, the desire to have only one type, is one of them, but probably not the most important. Maintenance and support costs would be one area to investigate. There are a number of options here, ranging from dealing directly with the Linux distribution creator, to working with IBM, one of IBM's business partners, one of the Linux distribution creator's business partners, or a completely independent support organization. You'll have to spend some time and figure out what makes you feel the most comfortable. The CLAW driver is not included in binary form in any of the Linux/390 distributions that I know of (yet). I'm not 100% sure of that statement, because I'm not real familiar with what Debian/390 offers there. It may be simpler to _start_ by routing your IP traffic through the MVS systems for the install, and then building the CLAW driver once the system is up and running. Then you can switch over to a direct connection using the router. Building the driver is fairly straightforward, but may be a little to much for you to tackle right up front. Getting your feet wet first will make that task a _lot_ easier later on. Mark Post -----Original Message----- From: Eric Bielefeld [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 11:56 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: New to Linux I'm an MVS systems programmer for the last 25 years. We want to put Linux on our MP3000-H50 and see what we can do with it. I believe we are looking at installing a Tivoli backup server on it. I will be installing Linux. I am new to Linux, but I have worked a little with Unix on OS390 and z/OS. We actually have one application running on that. What Redbooks are good to learn about and install Linux? I have been reading "Linux for S/390: Installation, Configuration, and Use". That book was published in May 2000, and I'm sure things have changed somewhat since then.. Another question is what distribution is best, or does it matter? I was looking at a SuSe distribution, but then I found out we are already running a RedHat distribution on one of our servers. Our Unix and Linux guy would prefer to standardize on the same distribution, as he will be helping me. He is very good at Unix, but knows almost nothing about the mainframe. The last question for now concerns connectivity. We have a Cisco Router hooked up to our mainframe via an Escon channel configured as a Claw device. There are 7 device addresses in it's range of 16 addresses configured on the PROD Lpar, and 4 on the TEST Lpar. That leaves 5 addresses left to play with. In the Linux for S390 book mentioned above, it talks about the Claw device not being available for Linux yet, but newer sources talk about downloading the Claw device driver and then compiling it and installing it. I assume the Claw device is supported now, and comes with a distribution. Is it? If not, can you point me to some doc that shows how to do this. Thanks. I'm sure I'll have many more questions later. Eric Bielefeld Sr. MVS Systems Programmer P&H Mining Equipment Milwaukee, WI 414-671-7849 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++ This electronic mail transmission contains information from P & H Mining Equipment which is confidential, and is intended only for the use of the proper addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately at the return address on this transmission, or by telephone at (414) 671-4400, and delete this message and any attachments from your system. Unauthorized use, copying, disclosing, distributing, or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this transmission is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++
