Linux is an open-source, cross-platform OS that runs on numerous platforms from embedded systems to mainframe computers. It provides an UNIX like implementation across many computer architectures.
The following Linux distributions are supported on the Power E1050 server model.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
The latest version of the RHEL distribution from Red Hat is supported in native Power10 mode, allowing it to access all the features of the Power10 processor and platform.
At the time of announcement, the Power E1050 server supports the following minimum levels of the RHEL OS:
Ê Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 for Power Little Endian (LE) or later Ê Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.0 for Power LE or later
Ê Red Hat Enterprise Linux for SAP with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 for Power LE or later
Note: RHEL 9.0 for Power LE or later is supported to run once it is announced.
RHEL is sold on a subscription basis, with initial subscriptions and support that are available for 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years. Support is available either directly from Red Hat or from IBM Technical Support Services. An RHEL 8 for Power LE unit subscription covers up to four cores and up to four LPARs, and the subscription can be stacked to cover more cores and LPARs.
When a client orders RHEL from IBM, a subscription activation code is published at the IBM ESS website. After you retrieve this code from IBM ESS, use it to establish proof of entitlement and download the software from Red Hat.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
The latest version of the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server distribution of Linux from SUSE is supported in native Power10 mode, allowing it to access all the features of the Power10 processor and platform.
At the time of announcement, the Power E1050 server supports the following minimum levels of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server OS:
Ê SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 Service Pack 3 or later
Ê SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 Service Pack 3 or later
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is sold on a subscription basis, with initial subscriptions and support that are available for 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years. Support is available either directly from SUSE or from IBM Technical Support Services. A SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 unit subscription covers 1 – 2 sockets or 1 -2 LPARs, and they subscriptions can be stacked to cover more sockets and LPARs.
When a client orders SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from IBM, a subscription activation code is published at the IBM ESS website. After you retrieve this code from IBM ESS, use it to establish proof of entitlement and download the software from SUSE.
Chapter 1. IBM Power E1050 overview 17
Linux and Power10 technology
The Power10 specific toolchain is available in Advance Toolchain 15.0, which allows clients and developers to use all new Power10 processor-based technology instructions when programming. The cross-module function call impact was reduced because of a new PC-relative addressing mode.
One specific benefit of Power10 technology is a 10x – 20x advantage over Power9 processor-based technology for artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing workloads because of increased memory bandwidth and new instructions. One example is the new special purpose-built Matrix Math Accelerator (MMA) that was tailored for the demands of machine learning and deep learning inference. The MMA also supports many AI data types.
Network virtualization is an area with significant evolution and improvements, which benefit virtual and containerized environments. The following recent improvements were made for Linux networking features on Power10 processor-based servers:
Ê SR-IOV allows virtualization of network cards at the controller level without needing to create virtual Shared Ethernet Adapters (SEAs) in the VIOS partition. It is enhanced with a virtual Network Interface Controller (vNIC), which allows data to be transferred directly from the partitions to or from the SR-IOV physical adapter without transiting through a VIOS partition.
Ê Hybrid Network Virtualization (HNV) allows Linux partitions to use the efficiency and performance benefits of SR-IOV logical ports and participate in mobility operations, such as active and inactive Live Partition Mobility (LPM) and Simplified Remote Restart (SRR). HNV is enabled by selecting Migratable when an SR-IOV logical port is configured.
Security
Security is a top priority for IBM and our distribution partners. Linux security on IBM Power is a vast topic that can be the subject of detailed separate material. However, improvements in the areas of hardening, integrity protection, performance, platform security, and certifications are introduced in this section.
Hardening and integrity protection deal with protecting the Linux kernel from unauthorized tampering while allowing upgrading and servicing of the kernel. These topics become even more important when running in a containerized environment with an immutable OS, such as CoreOS in Red Hat OpenShift.
Performance is a security topic because specific hardening mitigation strategies (for example, against side-channel attacks) can have a significant performance effect. In addition, cryptography can use significant compute cycles.
The Power E1050 features transparent memory encryption at the level of the controller, which prevents an attacker from retrieving data from physical memory or storage-class devices that are attached to the processor bus.