SuSE launches 64-bit-version of SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IBM eServer zSeries

The 64-bit version expands the possibilities of SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for S/390 and zSeries. For example, complex database applications can benefit from the much larger address space and are not confined to a memory boundary of 2 GB. In order to fully retain the value of investments in existing applications, the 31-bit shared libraries of SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 support the parallel operation of 31-bit and 64-bit applications on the same machine within the same Linux instance.

With Linux kernel 2.4.17, glibc 2.2.4, HiperSockets support, Logical Volume Manager and journaling file system, SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for zSeries provides state-of-the-art Linux technology: Kernel 2.4.17 supports both S/390 servers and IBM's latest server generation, eServer zSeries z900 and eServer zSeries z800. The support of HiperSockets, a high-performance feature unique to IBM eServer zSeries, substantially accelerates the speed of the data transfer between virtual servers in the mainframe. The host operating system, z/OS, also supports HiperSockets, allowing data exchange between SuSE Linux and z/OS with maximum bandwidth and near-zero latency.

SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for zSeries also supports the journaling file system ReiserFS. Data entities containing large numbers of small files especially benefit from the efficiency and performance of ReiserFS. With SuSE's latest Enterprise Server version for zSeries, the network and disk device configuration can be modified dynamically without a reboot. The Logical Volume Manager allows the runtime-integration of dynamically attached storage devices into existing virtual volumes of almost arbitrary size, while delivering practically unlimited disk space without downtime.

SuSE Linux Enterprise Server is one of the most advanced enterprise Linux computing systems available today. As it is certified across all IBM hardware architectures, SuSE's Enterprise Server makes Linux corporate computing a reality. For companies hosting complex IT infrastructures, this opens the door to the unprecedented perspective of spanning the entire IBM eServer line with a single powerful enterprise operating system.

In contrast to conventional Linux versions, SuSE Linux Enterprise Server is a business-optimised operating system that is actively maintained by SuSE for a guaranteed period of at least 24 months. During this period, SuSE delivers important security, performance and usability improvements in the form of certified upgrades and ensures the uninterrupted productive operation of mission-critical server services. In addition, SuSE offers individual assistance for the integration of new patches into the existing system and for ongoing system operation.

With its consistent, fine-tuned Linux solutions, SuSE is the only company in the operating system market that supports the hardware of all relevant processor architectures. SuSE Linux Enterprise Server operates just as smoothly on 32-bit PC platforms (Intel, AMD, Cyrix) as on SPARC, IBM pSeries and IBM iSeries server architectures. Therefore, companies can use SuSE's Linux systems as a single enterprise platform for all types of hardware, from PC clients to powerful host systems. This enables a uniform, rational administration of heterogeneous networks.

Due to the comparatively low acquisition costs and permanently reduced administration workload, the operation expenses for growing server farms can be cut considerably. Furthermore, as the entire source code is freely available, SuSE's enterprise operating system provides transparent interfaces for applications and middleware, directly based on the operating system, thus acting as a pacemaker for upcoming developments in the e-business segment.