IBM brings Windows to its mainframes

IBM mainframes are on the verge of managing Windows applications, crossing one of the last big system divides in datacentres.   

IBM, which had previously announced its intent to deliver this capability as part of its zEnterprise 196 mainframe, said the Windows management function will become available on 16 December.

The need for the new capability has been sought in datacentres - there are many Windows-based applications, including many made by IBM, that interact with mainframes to access data. Such applications must now be managed separately.

IBM said the new support for Windows will boost the security and speed of mainframe-based corporate environments. It will provide users with the ability to connect systems on a private network, to avoid other network hops, and to have integrated management.

Greg Lotko, business line executive of IBM's System z Division, said the addition of Windows support "is really recognising that the world is heterogeneous." The System z platform now supports z/OS, Linux, Unix and Windows, he added.

Joe Clabby, an analyst at Clabby Analytics, sees benefits for users.

System z is known for its ability to run transaction and batch workloads, while Linux is good for Java workloads. But the other thing that System z does is extend its governance out to the zBX blades "and that makes it easier to integrate and work with that data."

Clabby said combined management capabilities will reduce the labor required to run mainframe environments with multiple operating systems. "If you can manage this as a single architecture, it saves money," he said.

Jean Bozman, an analyst at IDC, said Windows support will allow for very fast connections between the Windows apps and the mainframe. "You will get faster performance and end-to-end management," she said.

Bozman said IBM's decision to provide Windows support confirms IBM's view that the distributed and mainframe worlds are becoming closer.