As Linux on System z becomes more prevalent and mainstream in the industry, the need for it to deliver higher levels of availability is increasing. This IBM Redbooks publication starts with an explanation of high availability (HA) fundamentals such as HA concepts and terminology. It continues with a discussion of why a business needs to consider an HA solution and then explains how to determine your business single points of failure. We outline the components of a high availability solution and describe these components. Then we provide some architectural scenarios and demonstrate how to plan and decide an implementation of an end-to-end HA solution, from Linux on System z database scenarios to z/OS, and include storage, network, z/VM, Linux, and middleware. This implementation includes the IBM Tivoli System Automation for Multiplatforms (TSA MP), which monitors and automates applications distributed across Linux, AIX®, and z/OS® operating systems, as well as a GDPS based solution. It includes the planning for an end-to-end scenario, considering Linux on System z, z/VM, and z/OS operating environments, and the middleware used. The TSA MP implements HA for infrastructure, network, operating systems, and applications across multiple platforms and is compared to a Linux HA implementation based on open source Linux-HA, which is Linux only.

This IBM® Redbooks® publication is Volume 3 of a series of three books called The Virtualization Cookbook for IBM z Systems. The other two volumes are called: The Virtualization Cookbook for IBM z Systems Volume 1: IBM z/VM 6.3, SG24-8147 The Virtualization Cookbook for IBM z Systems Volume 2: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.1 Servers, SG24-8303 It is suggested that you start with Volume 1 of this series, because IBM z/VM® is the base "layer" when installing Linux on IBM z SystemsTM. Volume 1 starts with an introduction, describes planning, and then describes z/VM installation into a two-node, single system image (SSI) cluster, configuration, hardening, automation, and servicing. It adopts a cookbook format that provides a concise, repeatable set of procedures for installing and configuring z/VM using the SSI clustering feature. Volumes 2 and 3 describe how to roll your own Linux virtual servers on z Systems hardware under z/VM. The cookbook format continues with installing and customizing Linux. Volume 3 focuses on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12. It describes how to install and configure SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 onto the Linux administration system, which does the cloning and other tasks. It also explains how to use AutoYaST2, which enables you to automatically install Linux using a configuration file, and explains how to create and use appliances and bootable images from configuration files. In addition, it provides information about common tasks and tools available to service SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

This IBM® Redbooks® publication is Volume 2 of a five-volume series of books entitled The Virtualization Cookbook for IBM Z®. This volume includes the following chapters: Chapter 1, "Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux on LNXADMIN" on page 3, describes how to install and configure Red Hat Enterprise Linux onto the Linux Administration server, which performs the cloning and other tasks. Chapter 2, "Automated Red Hat Enterprise Linux installations by using Kickstart" on page 37, describes how to use Red Hat's kickstart tool to create Linux systems. This tool is fundamentally different from cloning in that an automated installation is implemented. You can try kickstart and cloning. Understand that these applications attempt to accomplish the same goal of quickly getting Linux systems up and running, and that you do not need to use both. Chapter 3, "Working with subscription-manager, yum, and DaNdiFied" on page 47, describes how the Red Hat Network works. It provides centralized management and provisioning for multiple Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. Kickstart is an easy and fast way to provision your Linux guests in any supported Linux platform. It re-creates the operating system from the beginning by using the kickstart profile configuration file that installs the new operating system unattended. It also sets up the new guest according to the definition that was set up in the kickstart file. Usually, Linux is administered by the same team that manages Linux on all platforms. By using kickstart, you can create a basic profile that can be used in all supported platforms and customize Linux profiles, as needed. Cloning requires a better understanding of the z/VM environment and z/VM skills. It is a fast process if you enable the IBM FlashCopy® feature in advance. It clones the disks from a golden image to new disks that are used by the new Linux guest. The process can be automated by using the cloning scripts that are supplied with this book. It is recommended that you start with The Virtualization Cookbook for IBM Z Volume 1: IBM z/VM 7.2, SG24-8147 of this series because the IBM® z/VM hypervisor is the foundation (or base "layer") for installing Linux on IBM Z.

This IBM® Redbooks® publication is volume one of five in a series of books entitled The Virtualization Cookbook for IBM Z. The series includes the following volumes: The Virtualization Cookbook for IBM z Systems® Volume 1: IBM z/VM® 7.2, SG24-8147 The Virtualization Cookbook for IBM Z Volume 2: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 Servers, SG24-8303 The Virtualization Cookbook for IBM z Systems Volume 3: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12, SG24-8890 The Virtualization Cookbook for IBM z Systems Volume 4: Ubuntu Server 16.04, SG24-8354 Virtualization Cookbook for IBM Z Volume 5: KVM, SG24-8463 It is recommended that you start with Volume 1 of this series because the IBM z/VM hypervisor is the foundation (or base "layer") for installing Linux on IBM Z®. This book series assumes that you are generally familiar with IBM Z technology and terminology. It does not assume an in-depth understanding of z/VM or Linux. It is written for individuals who want to start quickly with z/VM and Linux, and get virtual servers up and running in a short time (days, not weeks or months). Volume 1 starts with a solution orientation, discusses planning and security, and then, describes z/VM installation methods, configuration, hardening, automation, servicing, networking, optional features, and more. It adopts a "cookbook-style" format that provides a concise, repeatable set of procedures for installing, configuring, administering, and maintaining z/VM. This volume also includes a chapter on monitoring z/VM and the Linux virtual servers that are hosted. Volumes 2, 3, and 4 assume that you completed all of the steps that are described in Volume 1. From that common foundation, these volumes describe how to create your own Linux virtual servers on IBM Z hardware under IBM z/VM. The cookbook format continues with installing and customizing Linux. Volume 5 provides an explanation of the kernel-based virtual machine (KVM) on IBM Z and how it can use the z/Architecture®. It focuses on the planning of the environment and provides installation and configuration definitions that are necessary to build, manage, and monitor a KVM on Z environment. This publication applies to the supported Linux on Z distributions (Red Hat, SUSE, and Ubuntu).

This is the comprehensive guide to Linux on the mainframe straight from the IBM Linux experts. The book covers virtualization, security, systems management, and more.

IBM® Service Management Suite for z/OS provides operators a transparent view of the IBM z Systems® compute landscape, including central electronic complexes (CECs), LPARs, and Sysplexes with key performance indicators for improved problem isolation, analysis, and diagnosis. This IBM Redbooks® Solution Guide describes Service Management Suite for z/OS and its new user interface, IBM Service Management Unite, and includes high-level architectures (for each solution) with their key components. The guide also explains the integration of Service Management Unite with Service Management Suite for z/OS components and integration with other IBM products and third-party solutions to create a comprehensive solution. The business value and usage scenarios are also included.

The power of the IBM System z, combined with the flexibility of Linux on System z, provides the ideal platform on which to implement SAP application servers. System z provides the benefits of continuous availability, high performance, scalability, and ease of management; these qualities support and complement mission-critical SAP business applications. This IBM Redbooks publication focuses on the implementation of SAP application servers on Linux on System z to leverage the synergy of this combination of products. It provides detailed information to guide you through the planning process, including resource sharing considerations, hardware and software requirements, support and maintenance. This book takes you through the steps to prepare the system environment, describing system and network configurations, and demonstrates the procedures for installing and customizing your system. It describes in detail how to install SAP application servers in z/VM Linux images, including the installation of SAP and Java and hipersockets. Finally, it provides guidance for performance tuning and introduces some useful monitoring tools.