I have successfully compiled QEMU on z/Series. I wanted to see what can be done today in order to solve the urgent demand of having Windows programs on z/Series.
QEMU runs here with Debian Linux under z/VM. I needed quickly the GCC in version 3.4.x to compile the current version of QEMU. With QEMU it is possible to run a copy of MS Windows Server 2003 on z/Series. Of course it is slow, at least on the z/990 I am using. The installation of Windows took about 8 hours but it worked without any problems. This was the amazing.It is the same feeling as when you run Hercules s390 emulator and see that z/Linux or z/VM is running on an Intel processor. Incredible what software can do ;-) I agree with some postings on this thread that the GUI is a waste of z/Series power. But if you could install Windows 2008 Server Core then you wouldn't have this overhead. There is definitively a need of having native Windows programs on z/Series. I experience this need every day in my organization and I cannot understand why IBM is not providing a solution for that. IMO this would really help to convince management to use z/Series for Server consolidation. Of course a lot of things are also available for Linux but a majority is not. And Linux Software does not mean by itself that it is available on z/series. It is more like gambling: Does it compile on s390? Will it run and produce the same results as on Intel? Is it stable etc? Terrible. For some other programs there is even no source code available and then you have to admit: "Sorry it cannot run on the wonderful, reliable mainframe". Immediately you have the feedback from the management: Old, outdated, expensive platform, we will abandon it. I think a hardware implementation of X64 / X86 architecture on z/Series would dramatically push the popularity of this platform ahead. I eagerly wait for a modification of Microcode of z/Series which would enable an Intel X64 mode. And of course of the magic z/VM command: set machine X64. QEMU shows the right direction but a microcode solution would dramatically improve the performance. Best regards, Florian On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 6:47 PM, David Boyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > You can partially do this now with QEMU. We're working on some extensions > to improve the usability. > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Linux on 390 Port on behalf of Richard Gasiorowski > Sent: Thu 10/16/2008 10:02 AM > To: LINUX-390@VM.MARIST.EDU > Subject: Lx86 > > Question for someone @ IBM. Lx86 is a feature provided for on the p > series whihc allows Linux binaries to execute on the p system without a > recompile. > Since IBM professes a philosophy of providing like platform capabilities. > the question is > > When can we expect this features functions available on the system z? I > would definitely sign up for alpha or beta testing of this. > > > 'Where ever you go - There you are!! ' > Richard (Gaz) Gasiorowski > Global Solutions & Technology > Principal Lead Infrastructure Architect > CSC > 3170 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, VA 22042 > 845-773-9243 Work|845-392-7889 Cell|[EMAIL PROTECTED]|www.csc.com > > > > > This is a PRIVATE message. If you are not the intended recipient, please > delete without copying and kindly advise us by e-mail of the mistake in > delivery. > NOTE: Regardless of content, this e-mail shall not operate to bind CSC to > any order or other contract unless pursuant to explicit written agreement > or government initiative expressly permitting the use of e-mail for such > purpose. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > For LINUX-390 subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, > send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: INFO LINUX-390 or > visit > http://www.marist.edu/htbin/wlvindex?LINUX-390 > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > For LINUX-390 subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, > send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: INFO LINUX-390 or > visit > http://www.marist.edu/htbin/wlvindex?LINUX-390 > -- Best regards Florian Bilek ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For LINUX-390 subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: INFO LINUX-390 or visit http://www.marist.edu/htbin/wlvindex?LINUX-390
