Can Linux really become a viable alternative operating system on the S/390? Will mainframe veterans ever be able to trust a software program they download for free?

Apparently, yes.

Despite a reputation for being too tough to budge, mainframe users have willingly and eagerly embraced Linux on the S/390. Despite concerns that users would never accept a free operating system developed by a Finnish graduate student, users have pushed the 390 envelope and are downloading Linux in record numbers—over 4,000 beta versions of Linux for the S/390 have been downloaded and the numbers are expected to grow.

In fact, in a recent Search390 poll, 43% of S/390 users responding to the poll said that they’re eager to install Linux. As many as 39% of the respondents said that while they haven’t installed Linux yet, they will in the very near future.

Regardless of their enthusiasm, S/390 users know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. In fact, most Linux vendors, including IBM, see dollar signs in supporting Linux users.

While IBM is aggressively promoting Linux on the mainframe, its strategy does not include becoming the distributor of this open source, Unix cousin. Vendors SuSE and TurboLinux will start offering commercial distributions of Linux by the end of the year for the S/390. Both companies will also offer technical support for Linux, as will IBM Global Services.

In this exclusive Search390 interview, Assistant News Editor, Edward Hurley, talks with Peter McCaffrey, IBM’s program director of the S/390 about making Linux on the S/390 a reality and what Linux spheres IBM will and will not enter.

Hurley:What has IBM accomplished so far to help bring Linux to the S/390?

McCaffrey:Currently, users can download (Linux for the S/390) from several Web sites. But it is really still informal or in beta form. There is no official support structure in place yet we do support these beta users with informal support. Formal support will begin once the distributions from TurboLinux and SuSE are available.

Hurley:What kind of support will IBM offer in particular?

McCaffrey:There is a whole range of support. For business critical operations, there will be 24-hour, round the clock type of support. Our S/390 customers who are used to getting service through IBM will get the same level of service for Linux.

Hurley:I understand IBM does not want to get into the business of selling Linux. Then can you describe how IBM views the Linux landscape?

McCaffrey:We will make key middleware available for Linux. For example, DB2 and WebSphere will be available on Linux by the end of the year. We see both server opportunities and services for us in Linux. Linux is a key element for e-business, which is a key strategy for IBM.

When we announced Linux we were really surprised by how it took off. But customers told us two things: make it easier and more cost effective.

We introduced the S/390 Integrated Facility for Linux in August. It allows S/390 users to add Linux in an LPAR without adding capacity that would increase their license fees for other software such as OS/390 or DB2. We have partners in this who will not increase their software licenses either.

Secondly, we changed the pricing model for our software running on Linux. Instead of paying a fee every month, with Linux a user would pay an upfront fee and an annual fee for maintenance and support.

HurleyWhat kinds of companies are using Linux on the S/390 now?

McCaffreyWe do have a set of enterprise customers, Fortune 500 companies, that is really piloting it now. As they do that they are telling us what tools or application developments that need to be ported.

Linux on the S/390 has opened up some new markets for us such as ASPs (application service providers). ASP's are well established with Linux I have seen them replace 100s and in some cases 1000s of Linux servers with a single S/390. You can add a new image on the S/390 in 90 seconds while with a rack-mounted system you would need to add more hardware. That could take days or even weeks.

Hurley:What is the future for Linux on the S/390?

McCaffrey:I think both IBM and ISV will continue bringing applications to the market. IBM will also be exploiting our architecture and technology. In the news out there, people have said their machines come close to mainframe compatibility but we have mainframe compatibility, which will be fully exploited.