From:	 Martina Eckstein <meck@suse.de>
To:	 lwn@lwn.net
Subject: "'SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 For S/390' Ready for IBM eServer zSeries"
Date:	 Mon, 12 Nov 2001 12:15:35 +0100

*** "SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 For S/390" Ready for IBM 
eServer zSeries ***

SuSE offers ideal solution for consolidation of mission-critical 
e-business applications with kernel 2.4, HiperSockets support, 
Logical Volume Manager and Journaling Filesystem

Nuremberg, GERMANY - November 12, 2001 - Today, SuSE Linux, the 
international Open Source technology leader and solutions 
provider, announced the release of SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 
for S/390, the latest version of its server operating system for 
deployment in enterprise mainframes. Based on kernel 2.4, this 
SuSE server version now supports S/390 servers as well as IBM 
eServer zSeries z900. 

Extremely failsafe and high-performing, IBM mainframes are the 
ideal solution for running mission-critical applications such as 
the administration of complex e-business transactions. SuSE Linux 
Enterprise Server 7 for S/390 excellently matches IBM's hardware 
as the perfect medium for consolidated server services on IBM 
mainframes, e.g. for intranet and Internet services as well as 
database applications. Additionally, the SuSE Maintenance Service 
keeps the operating system in a secure, stable, and tested state 
for at least 24 months of guaranteed investment security.

"By means of the consolidation of large server farms, customers 
enjoy a lower level of administration expenses due to uniform 
server structures," explains Dirk Ott, Head of IBM Linux 
Marketing, EMEA Central Region. "This not only reduces system 
administration costs during the integration of new Linux servers, 
it also hosts a great savings potential for locality and energy 
costs."

*** Expanded System Functionality

Compared to its predecessor, SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for 
S/390 boasts a number of improvements: SuSE Linux Enterprise 
Server 7 for S/390 is the first server operating system to fully 
support HiperSockets, a new high-perfomance feature unique to IBM 
eServer zSeries, thus substantially accelerating the speed of the 
data transfer between virtual servers in the mainframe. As the 
host operating system z/OS also supports HiperSockets, data 
exchange between SuSE Linux and z/OS is possible with maximum 
bandwidth and near-zero latency.

SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for S/390 now also supports the 
journaling filesystem ReiserFS. Especially data entities 
containing large numbers of small files benefit from the 
efficiency and performance of ReiserFS. Also new: the network and 
disk device configuration can now 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, delivering practically 
unlimited disk space without downtime.

*** Investment Security Included

With at least 24 months of maintenance, SuSE Linux Enterprise 
Server 7 for S/390 guarantees long-term planning and investment 
security and ensures the stability and up-to-date state of the 
operating system basis. Improvements in the fields of security, 
performance, and usability are first subjected to an extensive 
quality check, especially with regard to certifications of ISV 
solutions. Within a short time, these improvements are made 
available exclusively on the SuSE Maintenance Web through well-
documented patches, fixes, and updates. Users are regularly 
notified regarding the availability of such files and receive 
update CDs with all important improvements every three months. 
Moreover, SuSE experts provide assistance for the installation of 
the patches, fixes, and updates. In addition to this service, SuSE 
offers individual assistance for the integration of new patches 
into the existing system and for the ongoing system operation. The 
optional SuSE Linux Premier Software Support even includes 
selected applications.

The rail freight company Transtar successfully runs a real-time 
tracking system on SuSE Linux Enterprise Server for S/390, and 
thus, provides online freight information to employees and 
customers. "The SuSE people have been extremely helpful and 
responsive in assisting us whenever needed, via telephone, email, 
and in-house training sessions," explains Tom Pajak, Senior 
Manager Information Support at Transtar. "The success of this 
endeavor is undeniably important to our entire company, and we 
feel that we have made the correct choice, with the most 
flexibility for our long-term needs."

The cross-platform availability enables companies to integrate 
SuSE Linux on all systems in their IT environment - from PC 
clients to powerful host systems - and to continue to work under 
accustomed system conditions. A wide range of supported hardware, 
including notebooks and servers based on IA32, IA64, Sparc, 
PowerPC, IBM eServer pSeries, IBM eServer iSeries, as well as the 
latest high-performance mainframes from IBM, predestines SuSE 
Linux as the operating system of choice for professional 
deployment.

SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for S/390 comes on 2 CDs together 
with a manual, a developer's kit with more than 1,300 applications 
on 5 CDs, and 30 days of expanded support. The free system 
maintenance for 12 months includes the quarterly dispatch of an 
update CD containing the documented and quality-checked fixes, 
patches, and updates, as well as the accompanying installation 
support from the SuSE experts. SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for 
S/390 will be available from the end of November from SuSE and 
SuSE Linux Enterprise Partners. For more details, please check 
http://s390.suse.de/en/.
For inquiries to the SuSE experts, please feel free to contact 
S390-sales@suse.de.

*** About SuSE

SuSE Linux is one of the world's leading providers of complete 
solutions based on the Open Source operating system Linux. In 
addition to operating systems and application software for private 
customers, SuSE offers software solutions and complete systems for 
the deployment of Linux in companies.

SuSE supports its enterprise customers with a comprehensive range 
of qualified consulting, training, and support services. The 
company, which hosts the world's largest development team for Open 
Source solutions, has made its unique project and support know-how 
accessible via the Internet in the largest existing Linux 
knowledge database. 

Further information on SuSE can be found at http://www.suse.de/en/

Press contact:
SuSE Linux AG
Martina Eckstein
Schanzaeckerstr. 10
90443 Nuernberg
Germany
martina.eckstein@suse.de
Phone: +49-(0)911-74053507