Why IBM AIX?


This is a small blog post, that I may never mark with a “published” status, to identify those points that lead me to using IBM’s AIX operating system at work.

  1. A core operating system that leverages the full breadth of capability of the IBM System p hardware.  IMHO, there is no comparison regarding System p versus the Sun M or their CMT systems.
  2. The virtualization platform coupled with the firmware hypervisor
  3. RAS capabilities in the mid to enterprise lines of products
  4. Support and the partner aspects.  IBM has brought a lot of resources to bear to help our organization.  CICS, WebSphere, etc.
  5. Alignment of the platform with their layered software stack.  We will be using Websphere Application Server and WebSphere Process Server for a mission critical aspect of our IT infrastructure.  In this instance, I think that it will be important to have an end-to-end support and problem management structure.
  6. IBM layered software is optimized to exploit their platforms.  Software such as the IBM JVM and DB2 are tuned for AIX and the Power processor.  Also, there are self-tuning and self-healing aspects that may be leveraged in the operating system.