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PowerVM™ Lx86 supports the installation and running of most 32-bit x86 Linux® applications on any System p™ model with POWER5™, or POWER6™ technology, or IBM BladeCenter® JS20, JS21, or JS22 servers. It creates an x86 Linux application environment running on POWER™ processor-based systems by dynamically translating x86 instructions to Power Architecture™ instructions.
The System p advantages for your x86 Linux applications include: performance and scalability; improved service quality through availability and security features; and optimized use of processor, memory, disk, and network resources with optional IBM Virtualization technology available on some systems.
During its previous open beta, this product was known as IBM System p Application Virtual Environment for x86 Linux.
PowerVM Lx86: General availability starting February 8, 2008
Following a successful open beta program, PowerVM Lx86 is now generally available to customers and independent software vendors (ISVs). For a demo, check out our short video on YouTube.
You can get IBM support for PowerVM x86 , or you can join an open forum to exchange information with other users and IBM.
To access the PowerVM Lx86 feature on your System p or POWER processor-based blade server, decide whether you will be downloading the code or whether you will be requesting a Virtual Loaner Program (VLP) session if you are an ISV. If you want to download the code, check your system configuration to ensure that PowerVM Lx86 supports it. Accept the online agreement and download the code.
Intrigued? Want to learn more?
- Listen to our recent Webcast (intended for ISVs, but generally useful)
- Read the IBM Redpaper Getting started with PowerVM Lx86
- Read the PowerVM Lx86 Administration Guide (PDF)
- Join the discussion and ask questions at the developerWorks forum on PowerVM Lx86 for x86 Linux applications
- Learn more at Linux on POWER server solutions and Linux on System p
For ISVs and IBM Business Partners
ISVs can also use the Virtual Loaner Program (VLP), which provides partitions with PowerVM Lx86 installed, ready for your remote access. VLP usage requires PartnerWorld membership and login, along with acceptance of the VLP usage agreement.
To access the PowerVM Lx86 system image within VLP, users must accept the PowerVM Lx86 online agreement. After accepting this agreement, you will be directed to the VLP reservation page along with other documentation and help resources. PowerVM Lx86 runs on Red Hat version 4 with update 4 or later and Novell/SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 with Service Pack 3 and 10 or later. If you have not participated in the VLP before, you will be asked to accept the VLP usage agreement also.
System configuration and recommendations
PowerVM Lx86 is supported on POWER 5, POWER 5+, and POWER 6 systems.
PowerVM Lx86 is supported on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.4 and later, Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 SP3 and later, and Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 and later. You should use either the same OS version or one service pack earlier in the PowerVM Lx86 Intel environment that is running on the POWER system.
PowerVM Lx86 runs most x86 Linux applications except those that:
- Directly access hardware devices (such as 3D graphics adapters).
- Require unique kernel modules not available for POWER systems.
- Use instructions outside of the Intel IA-32 instruction set architecture as defined by the 1997 Intel Architecture Software Developer's Manual consisting of Basic Architecture (Order Number 243190), Instruction Set Reference Manual (Order Number 243191), and the System Programming Guide (Order Number 243192), all dated 1997.
- Do not run correctly on Red Hat RHEL 4.4 or later, or Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9.3 or later. (Note: Starting with PowerVM Lx86 Version 1.3.1, Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 is no longer supported.)
- Require x86 real-mode
Applications that are expected to use PowerVM Lx86 effectively fall into categories of infrastructure applications, tools and utilities, and end-user apps from Linux client OSes or other end-user interface applications.
Java™ applications should use the most recent version of the IBM JVM. Java is recommended for one-time use such as installers, rather than for heavy application use.
