Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview 85LinuxLinux is an open source operating system that runs on numerous platforms from embeddedsystems to mainframe computers. It provides a UNIX®-like implementation in many computerarchitectures.At the time of this writing, the supported versions of Linux on POWER7 processor technologybased servers are as follows: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP1 for POWER or later, with current maintenanceupdates available from Novell to enable all planned functionality Red Hat RHEL 5.6 for POWER, or later Red Hat RHEL 6.0 for POWER, or laterLinux operating system licenses are ordered separately from the hardware. You can obtainLinux operating system licenses from IBM, to be included with your POWER7 processortechnology-based servers, or from other Linux distributors.For information about the features and external devices supported by Linux, go to thefollowing web page:http://www.ibm.com/systems/p/os/linux/For information about SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, go to the following web page:http://www.novell.com/products/serverFor information about Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Server, go to the following webpage:http://www.redhat.com/rhel/featuresSupported virtualization features are listed in 3.4.10, “Supported PowerVM features byoperating system” on page 117.2.13 IBM EnergyScaleIBM EnergyScale technology provides functions to help the user understand and dynamicallyoptimize the processor performance versus processor power and system workload, to controlIBM Power Systems power and cooling usage.The BladeCenter AMM and IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager exploitEnergyScale technology, enabling advanced energy management features to conservepower and improve energy efficiency. Intelligent energy optimization capabilities enable thePOWER7 processor to operate at a higher frequency for increased performance andNote: For systems ordered with the Linux operating system, IBM ships the most currentversion available from the distributor. If you require a different version than that shipped byIBM, you must obtain it via download from the Linux distributor's website. Informationconcerning access to a distributor's website is located on the product registration carddelivered to you as part of your Linux operating system order.Note: Users should also update their systems with the latest Linux for Power service andproductivity tools from IBM's website athttp://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/lopdiags/home.html
