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Linux on POWER™ is an umbrella term used to refer to the seven IBM system product lines--IBM System p5™ Express, eServer™ p5, i5, pSeries®, iSeries™, OpenPower™, and BladeCenter™ JS20 - that are based on IBM Power Architecture™ technology and run the same Linux distributions from Red Hat and Novell SUSE.
A common server architecture offers inarguable advantages for all types of IBM Business Partners: Cost savings in sales and technical skills, application maintenance, education, and in-house hardware and software requirements. And, binary compatibility among Linux on POWER systems1 may reduce or eliminate application porting and testing.
 Binary compatibility
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| PartnerWorld offers a range of benefits for Business Partners who support Linux on IBM System p5 Express, eServer p5, i5, pSeries, iSeries, OpenPower, and BladeCenter JS20. |
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Benefits
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IBM is number one in overall Linux-based server revenue worldwide in 1Q05, according to Gartner. Approximately 40% of IBM’s Linux-based server revenue comes from Linux on non x86-based systems, i.e., from POWER processor-based servers and IBM eServer zSeries. And, according to IDC, Linux on IBM eServer OpenPower and pSeries were the primary contributors to IBM’s 1Q05 Linux server market share gain2.
IBM is also number one in UNIX revenue share, in 2Q05, according to IDC3. The same systems that made AIX number one – IBM eServer p5 and pSeries – as well as the new System p5 Express, also run Linux natively. These systems offer our clients a leadership performing server platform with outstanding reliability features for both operating systems, and our partners the ability to resolve client IT requirements with the best IBM technologies for the problems at hand.
IBM continues to focus on helping clients use open IT environments to transform their companies to on demand businesses, while at the same time, reducing their TCO. The Power Architecture is pervasive from game machines to supercomputers. And IBM is committed to leveraging Linux on POWER to provide a proven, open, and powerful computing platform to drive innovation which can enable competitive advantages and provide value to our client’s company, customers and shareholders. These high-performance offerings are surprisingly affordable and provide leading edge reliability, availability and serviceability. This is why Linux on POWER is building such momentum in the industry.
IBM Business Partners with applications, such as ISVs, Solution Providers, and System Integrators, can benefit from the application binary compatibility likely across the Power architecture-based servers. Linux on POWER application binaries can be built to be binary compatible across System p5, eServer OpenPower, p5, i5, pSeries, iSeries and JS20 blades4, extending your reach to different markets for the cost of supporting one platform. That’s the power of Linux on POWER.
 | Chiphopper ™: IBM Application Advantage™ for Linux
If your Linux on x86 application is commercially available and coded in C/C++ or Java™, you may be able to leverage the Chiphopper™ offering to easily port, test, and support your application across all IBM eServer and middleware platforms. Chiphopper offers, at no cost, access to tools and support that can expedite your porting and testing processes. |
IBM Business Partners who resell and distribute IBM servers, storage and software with ISV, open source, or custom developed applications can offer their clients the benefits of Linux on POWER5 processor-based servers: flexibility with Advanced Virtualization technology and outstanding performance and RAS. All service-providing partners can also benefit from being able to support all seven platforms including the high volume entry-level System p5, OpenPower systems and JS20 blades with a single set of technical skills. Most importantly, Business Partners can leverage the compelling integrated solutions for infrastructure and business-critical client needs.
Linux on POWER is IBM’s leading 64-bit Linux server platform and partners who support it can leverage IBM PartnerWorld, business development, technical enablement, and go to market benefits.
IBM also offers the following types of support for Linux on POWER:
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Technical Support for Linux on POWER
IBM provides a variety of technical support programs for its business partners via different mediums, such as phone, e-mail, Web forums, live courses, technical documentation, and more during all stages of solutions development, deployment, and servicing.
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Linux on POWER Marketing on Demand
Linux on POWER Marketing on Demand allows you to leverage IBM relationships with leading marketing firms by offering awareness and demand generation tactics with built-in IBM messaging and look-and-feel. You can also create co-branded deliverables for use by marketing and sales to convey a powerful story to our joint customers and prospects.
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Business Partners supporting Linux on POWER can also benefit from other key Linux resources such as Leaders for Linux, Linux and PartnerWorld Industry Networks, and Linux in the SMB marketplace.
Incremental revenue opportunities are provided via the availability of IBM middleware and ISV applications for the platform. It all adds up to a unique opportunity and a bright outlook for success!
Join in the Linux on POWER community to contribute to its growing ecosystem or get feedback on your questions and ideas.
 | Business Partner Connections
Business Partner Connections can help you find and engage other IBM Business Partners to assist in building complete solutions for your customers. |
Now that you know the value of Linux on POWER, get started with the following resources:
 Return to "Why Linux and IBM?"
1 Within a particular supported Linux distribution (Red Hat or SUSE LINUX).
2 Based on Gartner's worldwide quarterly Server Tracker for 01Q05, issued on
May 24, 2005. Growth comparisons done on a year-to-year basis.
3 IDC WW Quarterly Server Tracker (August 05); IBM MI Analysis
4 Based on IDC Worldwide Quarterly Server Tracker, 1Q05, issued on
May 26, 2005.
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