Dynamic add/remove

Increase uptime and availability. The dynamic add/remove of CPU and memory allows the resources of a Linux guest under z/VM to be adjusted while it is running. This means that a pool of CPUs can be given dynamically to a Linux guest, and the CPUs can be used as they are needed. This increases the uptime and availability of the Linux guest and the provided applications.

Linux CPU Node Affinity

Performance is key. This feature improves the performance of your system by scheduling processes to the optimal node where the CPU is associated, exploiting the new z10 CPU node topology. If the operating system is not aware of a computer system being architected to have non-uniform memory access (NUMA), you can experience serious performance degradation. When the operating system is aware of the NUMA characteristics of the system, it can make an effort to keep programs and their data in memory assigned to the CPU attached to that memory, thus avoiding a big performance hit.

Starter System for System z

Your own playground. Remove one of the biggest hurdles in trying out Linux on System z servers. The SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Starter System for System z is a pre-built installation server for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for System z that can be easily installed on a z/VM system. Even if you have little or no Linux or z/VM experience, you can easily test SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for System z. More +

Virtualization

Reduce server sprawl. As your organization increases in complexity, you will inevitably experience server sprawl as more servers are added to handle increased business demands. You can reduce server sprawl in your data center by using virtualization. Linux on a System z machine running z/VM is the industry leading virtualization platform for enterprises. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for System z is the leading example of this platform, delivering everything you need in one box and providing faster, more secure communication among servers.

Security in AppArmor

Secure your vulnerable applications. Don't leave your Linux servers without protection. Safeguard both your applications and your operating system from the harmful side effects of attacks, malicious applications and viruses with AppArmor. Application behavior beyond the necessary scope is denied and logged—effectively securing your systems.

Low-cost software licensing

Save your budget. Workloads that run in SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for System z virtual servers under z/VM in an Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL) share the cost of a per processor software license, resulting in tremendous savings. For example, the license for an Oracle Database costs thousands of dollars per processor. You only have to purchase a one-processor Oracle Database license for use by several virtual servers in an IFL, and you only have to purchase one SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for System z subscription per IFL.

Integrated Facility for Linux

Lower total cost of ownership. An IFL costs much less than a general-purpose System z engine, making it extremely economical to run Linux workloads. Many organizations that run Linux workloads on System z servers choose to run SUSE Linux Enterprise Server-based virtual machines on IBM's z/VM on an IFL. A Linux subscription includes access to an unlimited number of virtual machines. Typically, dozens—and often hundreds—of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server virtual machines can run per IFL, which ensures a low total cost of ownership (TCO) after server consolidation.

World-class Support

Don't trust your Linux servers to just anyone for support. Novell has more than 20 years of experience and more than 900 dedicated support personnel located in support centers covering every region of the world. Because Novell has long been involved in integrating its solutions with those of other vendors, our technical support personnel can tackle the toughest problems—at any scale and on any platform or combination of platforms.

 System Requirements

• IBM System z9 or System z10 server

• z/VM 5.1 or later (if server virtualization is the goal for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for System z)

• A z/OS license (optional—depends on the use of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for System z on the System z server)

• An IFL license for each virtual environment