Linux solns on a platter by IBM System z9, Oracle

BANGALORE: Oracle applications have been playing a key role in supporting core business processes worldwide. Now, Oracle is extending the portfolio of products available on the IBM System z9 platform with a comprehensive set of both database and application solutions which Oracle intends to enable for Linux on System z. This throws up new opportunities to avail the advanced functionality of Oracle applications on a premier Linux environment, benefiting from the core strengths of the IBM System z9 platform.

The Oracle Database is available on Linux on System z. Clients can take advantage of cost considerations provided by the Linux on System z environment, such as specialty software pricing, Integrated Facility for Linux specialty engines, potentially lower power and staffing costs and high levels of utilization to consolidate Oracle databases to the System z9. Not only might this be a cost effective solution, it also brings clients the security, reliability and availability benefits of the System z9 environment.

The IBM System z9 Linux environment running Oracle solutions could converge many recent enhancements to the mainframe Linux environment designed to deliver significant improvements to price and performance and the availability, security and manageability features of the System z9 mainframe.

These enhancements support versions of critical Oracle applications and data serving environment, including:

Oracle's PeopleSoft Enterprise

Oracle's Siebel CRM

Oracle E-Business Suite

In addition, a ‘split tier’ implementation for Oracle applications with key components running on Linux on System z could add the flexibility to run second tier elements on a wide choice of platforms, such as IBM System x, System p or BladeCenter, to suit the individual needs of business.

Linux on System z:

Linux on System z can help transform a business into a true on-demand operating environment. Built on open standards, Linux running on System z9 servers gives freedom of choice in middleware. System z9 solutions are designed with workload management technology that can enable Linux applications to share computing resources and to allocate them dynamically as needed. And with advanced virtualization capabilities, System z9 servers running Linux aim at more accomplishments with fewer resources.

Managing budget:

Some customers may be up to spending roughly half of their IT budget on actual systems management costs – the people cost side of the equation – as opposed to the actual acquisition of the hardware and the software. IT staff costs are becoming more and more an important aspect of the overall economic picture in the industry.

Driving down hidden IT costs requires taking control, and the IBM System z9 mainframe is well positioned to help managements take control and  manage spiralling IT costs. A recent study by Arcati Research2 (PDF, 104KB) compared the total cost per user of different platforms, such as an Intel environment and a UNIX environment with a mainframe environment. Arcati projects that by 2010, mainframe costs will be close to 25% of what they are for the PC servers, and a little bit less than 33% of the cost per user in the UNIX environment.

Strength and security:

The mainframe has for many decades been the backbone and hub, running mission-critical applications for many businesses’ IT infrastructure. These solutions are tended to be of importance across the enterprise and central to the operation and success of the business. As a result, the need to provide security features has been a leading requirement and a leading feature of IBM mainframes.

Technology components-

Oracle Database Solutions:

Oracle Database 10gR2

Oracle Enterprise Application Solutions:

Oracle's PeopleSoft Enterprise

Oracle's Siebel CRM

Oracle E-Business Suite

IBM Hardware and Software:

System z9 EC and BC with z/OS, z/VM and Linux on System z

IBM Services:

Package AMS – support, maintenance and development of business solutions based upon Oracle applications

Applications on Demand – technical application services and hosting support

Business Transformation Outsourcing