Linux is an operating system whose kernel was developed by
Linus Torvalds and initially distributed in 1991. Linux has evolved
to become a widely accepted operating system with a wealth of applications.
Today, many Linux distributions also contain a variety of tools and
utilities provided by the open source community (e.g., from the GNU project).
Linux is platform-independent and executes on many architectures, including
Intel®, Alpha®, or Sparc®. Linux is Open Source software that
may be downloaded free of charge. You can learn more about Open Source
here.
Linux for S/390® and zSeries® is a port of Linux to the
S/390 and zSeries architecture. Linux for S/390 and zSeries is a "pure"
Linux from a user point of view. It supports the S/390 and zSeries
processor architecture and devices that are specific to S/390 and
zSeries environments. Therefore Linux for S/390 and Linux for zSeries
automatically inherits important strengths and reliability features of
the S/390 and zSeries hardware.
IBM contributed to Open Source to provide a clear interface to the S/390 and zSeries architecture upon which a Linux system could be installed. Linux for S/390 and Linux for zSeries is offered through Linux distribution partners. IBM offers consulting services, defect and remote technical support for all eligible generally available distributions of Linux for S/390 and Linux for zSeries. For more information, please contact your IBM representative or call 1-800-426-4968 (U.S.) or the appropriate IBM number in your region.
Many user questions and concerns are addressed through Internet newsgroups.
IBM provides an e-mail contact, linux390@de.ibm.com, where users can send problems specific to S/390 and zSeries implementation of the kernel, glibc, and the compiler. Responses to customer e-mails will be provided on an as-available basis.
Based on your needs or requirements, you can select the following downloads to get the modifications (source patches and OCO modules) needed to build and run Linux for S/390 and Linux for zSeries:
By now there are quite a few internet sites independent of IBM that are devoted to the topic of Linux for S/390 and Linux for zSeries. A very active mailing list covering this topic is hosted by the Marist College. You may use http://www.marist.edu/linuxvm as an entry point.
