Practical Migration from x86 to LinuxONE

A draft IBM Redbooks publication

Updated 28 March 2024

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IBM Form #: SG24-8377-02

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Authors: Lydia Parziale, Sandeep Batta, Youssef Largou, Pablo Paniagua, Cecilia Vales, Frank Swindell

Abstract

LinuxONE is a portfolio of hardware, software, and solutions for an enterprise-grade Linux environment. It has been designed to run more transactions faster and with more security and reliability specifically for the open community. It fully embraces open source-based technology.

The following LinuxONE servers are now available: The IBM® LinuxONE 4 LA1, IBM LinuxONE 4 LA2, IBM LinuxONE 4 AGL and LinuxONE Express. We describe these servers in “IBM LinuxONE servers” on page 5.
IBM LinuxONE 4 is the latest iteration of IBM LinuxONE enterprise servers with on-chip AI inferencing and industry-first quantum-safe technologies.

Aside from still running SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux Servers, LinuxONE runs Ubuntu, which is popular on x86 hardware.

Ubuntu, which runs the cloud, smartphones, a computer that can remote control a planetary rover for NASA, many market-leading companies, and the Internet of Things, is now available on IBM LinuxONE servers. Together, these two technology communities deliver the perfect environment for cloud and DevOps. Ubuntu 16.04 on LinuxONE offers developers, enterprises, and Cloud Service Providers a scalable and secure platform for next generation applications that include OpenStack, KVM, Docker, and JuJu.

The following are reasons why you would want to optimize your servers through virtualization using LinuxONE:

  • Too many distributed physical servers with low utilization
  • A lengthy provisioning process that delays the implementation of new applications
  • Limitations in data center power and floor space
  • High total cost of ownership (TCO)
  • Difficulty allocating processing power for a dynamic environment

This IBM Redbooks® publication provides a technical planning reference for IT organizations that are considering a migration from their x86 distributed servers to LinuxONE. This book walks you through some of the important considerations and planning issues that you might encounter during a migration project. Within the context of a pre-existing UNIX based or x86 environment, it presents an end-to-end view of the technical challenges and methods necessary to complete a successful migration to LinuxONE.
Give a broad understanding of how to use the various security features that make the most of and complement the LinuxONE hardware security feature

Table of contents

Part 1. Decision-making
Chapter 1. Benefits of migrating workloads to LinuxONE
Chapter 2. Analyze and understand
Chapter 3. Virtualization concepts
Part 2. Migration
Chapter 4. Migration process
Chapter 5. Migration analysis
Chapter 6. Hands-on migration
Chapter 7. Post migration considerations
Part 3. Deployment
Chapter 8. Deployment of workloads
Part 4. Appendix
Appendix A. Additional use case scenarios

The material included in this document is in DRAFT form and is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind. IBM is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the material, and may update the document at any time. The final, published document may not include any, or all, of the material included herein. Client assumes all risks associated with Client's use of this document.

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