Most IT data centres are built around a scale-out model, where each server has a fixed amount of hardware resources and the hypervisor controls all resources running on that server.
This often results in servers having more resources than applications required because most organisations usually use one or two socket course servers which have a limited amount of memory, CPU and IO capability. If they have workloads which grow outside the size of an x86 server; the next thing to do is to add multiple servers in order to efficiently run workloads.
This was according to Jon Nolting, architect and evangelist at IBM's Competitive Project Office, unpacking the benefits of the IBM LinuxONE enterprise server at the ITWeb/IBM LinuxONE Executive Forum held in Johannesburg recently.
According to IBM, LinuxONE is an open-source server which provides a Linux platform with virtually unlimited scale. At its core are processors; easily-managed virtualisation; scalability, multi-layered security; and an open software ecosystem.
The solution consists of two different versions; the Emperor, which the company says can scale up to 8 000 virtual machines or hundreds of thousands of containers. The second version is the entry-level Linux server, the Rockhopper, which is designed for midsize businesses.
Nolting explained when organisations run virtual machines, or a hypervisor on the Linux operating system, typically the memory of an x86 or x64 server will be a limiting factor, as there will be a limited amount of work that can be performed on it.
"One of the challenges facing organisations in efficiently running their workloads is the limited footprint of their servers, as the x64 and x86 servers usually have a memory of a certain size, which will dictate whether organisations need to add a second, third or even fourth server, to efficiently run their applications. As the environment grows, it becomes increasingly complex because the physical networks create security exposures and they introduce latency," he pointed out.
LinuxOne, added Nolting, allows organisations to minimise the problem of having too many x86 servers. If their data centres are running out of room, or if they don't have enough administrators to manage it, LinuxONE is able to provide the same capabilities on a more compressed, secure and efficient platform.
During maintenance, he continued, the server allows organisations to run concurrent maintenance and addition of resources without taking the Linux workloads down.
"The solution is targeted towards customers who don't have any traditional experience with IBM mainframe technology, which IBM invented over 50 years ago and has matured over time. This solution is IBM's attempt to reach out to a new set of customers who have no traditional knowledge of what IBM has done over the decades, yet they probably run workloads on their x86 server," he concluded.
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