LinuxONE

LinuxONE is a mainframe series that runs on Linux created by IBM as a way of competing with cloud computing solutions.

The systems are named after penguins as a nod to the Linux mascot. The flagship large enterprise series of mainframes is called Emperor and their mid-sized business series is called Rockhopper. Smaller mainframes exist in their Zseries.

The Emperor II features up to 141 CPUs, 10TB of shared RAM and 640 dedicated I/O processors. The mainframe supports millions of sessions and tens of thousands of containers. It can run 8,000 virtual servers and over 30 billion RESTful web interactions per day. Rockhopper can later be upgraded to an Emperor.

One of the key features IBM uses to increase the competitiveness of their mainframes against cloud solutions is the inclusion of dedicated I/O processors. Because I/O in the cloud uses a massive amount of bandwidth, it is one of its performance-limiting factors. LinusONE offers an alternative to hybrid cloud solutions at a reduced cost. In addition, the security of the LinuxONE mainframes is a fundamental design consideration, providing reassurance for users worried about cloud leaks. 

IBM is creating a Linux Distribution specifically for their LinuxONE. The company is a partner in the Open Mainframe Project.