Linuxcare Eases Mainframe Virtualization With Levanta Release

Linuxcare this week unleashed a new version of Levanta, its software for administering virtual Linux servers on the IBM eServer zSeries mainframes.

Linuxcare this week unleashed a new version of its software for administering virtual Linux servers on IBM zSeries mainframes.

Levanta provisions, configures, and updates virtual Linux servers on zSeries systems under z/VM, IBM’s virtualization software.

Levanta 2.0 builds on previous version and enables enterprises to drive up to 1,000 servers with the effort of one. Its functionality can be divided into three main areas:

• Instant server creation and scalability with which system administrators can instantly create, configure, and manage changes to virtual Linux servers and applications running on them
• State-based rollback/restore and support for Websphere, DB2, WebLogic, Oracle, and other applications
• Collaboration with managed self-service and roles to enable delegation of control to infrastructure and application teams

According to Linuxcare, this release of Levanta also offers improved access to mainframe data, increasing reliability, availability, security, and manageability for applications that rely on Web-enabled data. The capability to provision production and development environments instantaneously enables IT teams to improve data center flexibility and responsiveness. By aiming to facilitate server consolidation, Levanta hopes to deliver significant operating cost savings.

“The IBM eServer zSeries delivers the proven benefits of the mainframe platform to Linux applications and solutions,” said Rich Lechner, vice president of marketing, IBM eServer zSeries. “Levanta by Linuxcare adds additional value to Linux on zSeries customers by aiding system administration and extending the TCO savings of the zSeries platform.”

John Phelps, vice president and research director at Gartner sees a niche for Levanta to fill, “As enterprises struggle to find ways to lower overall staffing, software, and hardware expenditures and improve data center platform reliability, some zSeries customers are turning to Linux on zSeries.”

Phelps further noted, “As use of Linux on zSeries continues to grow, administrative tools which enable better collaboration of mainframe and distributed teams become increasingly important to achieve the desired lower staffing requirements.”