Author: JT Smith
“Storage networking and Linux are both disruptive technologies that are having major impacts on the Internet and e-business,” said Linda Sanford, senior vice president and group executive, Storage Systems Group. “Unlike our competitors, IBM has moved beyond a simple acknowledgment of the Linux movement by embracing the open source and open standards philosophy into our storage networking solutions. By enabling all of our storage products for Linux we again prove our ability to translate industry leading technologies into open, standards-based solutions for customers.”
According to IDC research, Linux is the fastest-growing operating system among storage customers, estimated at 35% compound annual growth rate through 2004. Being able to effectively manage this data in a storage network will become an imperative as Linux evolves into enterprise-class computing environments and a platform for storage management.
> Today’s announcement includes:
For a highly scalable Linux solution, an Enterprise Storage Server– code-named Shark—now can be connected to IBM eServer z900 or an S/390 mainframe running Linux.
Linux compatibility for the Modular Storage Server as a mid-market disk storage solution.
Linux support for the IBM FAStT200 and FAStT500 disk storage servers connected to Intel-based servers.
Linear Tape Open (LTO) Ultrium(tm) drives supporting Linux for tape back-up solutions.
The entire line of Tivoli storage management software is to be Linux-enabled as part of its open storage networking vision. Tivoli Storage Manager,Tivoli SANergy and Tivoli Storage Network Manager will work with the open-source operating system. Tivoli Storage Network Manager will become fully Linux-enabled later this year.
With data protection, recovery and backup emerging as the key components of e-business infrastructures, Tivoli Storage Manager is Linux-enabled for both eServer xSeries and eServer z900 servers. Tivoli SANergy, which allows companies to share files across different platforms is enabled for Linux on Intel-based systems. Linux integration with Tivoli Storage Network Manager is complete for Intel, and will be completed for other platforms later this year.
Customers are already adopting IBM’s Linux-enabled storage solutions. Life sciences company, MDS Proteomics, recently purchased an IBM Linux cluster running Linux using Shark, LTO storage systems, and Tivoli systems management solutions. The Linux enabled IBM system will help MDS Proteomics identify and analyze protein interactions and their role in causing genetic diseases. Scandinavia’s largest Telco and Internet Service Provider (ISP), Telia, has consolidated its entire ISP operation to one IBM eServer z900 running Linux connected to Shark.
Storage products compatible with Linux are available today with Shark on the eServer z900 and S/390. For the FAStT200 and FAStT500, Linux support is planned to be available in June 2001; and Linux capability for the MSS is due later this year for Intel-based and Alpha platforms. The LTO Ultrium and Magstar 3590 tape products are set to offer support for Linux this year.
IBM is the world leader in storage systems, software, services and technology. Nationally recognized as an innovator for its contributions to hard disk drive and storage technology, IBM led all companies once again with over 400 storage patents in 2000. IBM’s open storage solutions are designed for the rigors of e-business collaboration utilizing next generation concepts for open storage by integrating modular technologies including disk, tape and optical storage media, powerful processors, and rich software. For more information on the Enterprise Storage Server and its performance advantages over competing products, visit www.storage.ibm.com.
