The Linux Distributions Working Group aims to collaboratively address bugs, coordinate with upstream projects, and test hardware interactions to improve the stability and compatibility of Linux on IBM Z and LinuxONE systems. In this video, Elizabeth Joseph, Head of Open Source Program Office at IBM Z, discusses the Linux Distributions Working Group, its key focuses, and its efforts in the community. On discussing why the working group was formed, she says, “We didn’t have a way for us to more efficiently collaborate between all of the distributions that were out there supporting the platform.”

Overview of Linux Distributions Working Group and the history of Linux on Mainframe

• Joseph discusses the origins and the purpose of the Linux Distributions Working Group, which was formed to address the isolation experienced by Linux distribution maintainers focused on IBM Z and LinuxONE.
• Joseph gives us an overview of Linux’s 25-year history on the mainframe. She highlights the release of the LinuxONE system and explains how it enables companies to integrate microservices and Linux workloads with traditional mainframe tasks to align with modernization strategies.
• Linux on mainframes is generally used for data-intensive tasks due to the mainframe’s large CPU caches which are designed for efficient data processing and storage able to handle applications like fraud detection.
• Joseph talks about the distributions officially supported on the mainframe and the importance of community distributions, which she explains form the foundation for enterprise distributions.

Key focuses on the Linux Distributions Working Group and its benefits to the Linux community

• Linux Distributions Working Group’s main focus is on collaboratively addressing bugs across different distributions. Joseph discusses how the group facilitates communication to share bug fixes, coordinates efforts in engaging with upstream projects, and tests hardware interactions.
• Joseph explains how the work on mainframes benefits the broader Linux community, particularly through workload consolidation.

What drew Joseph to mainframes and efforts to attract the younger generation toward mainframes?

• Joseph shares what initially drew her to choose to work with mainframes, emphasizing her interest in their enduring relevance and the technical aspects of mainframes.
• Joseph discusses initiatives to attract younger generations to mainframes, including IBM’s efforts to engage in the open source community to raise awareness about mainframe technologies, collaborations with universities and apprenticeship programs, and presence at job fairs.
• Joseph provides an update on the Open Mainframe Project’s Software Discovery Tool including the replacement of the tool’s JSON backend with a MySQL backend last summer and the planned work on the UI refresh planned for this summer.
• The Linux Distributions Working Group helps those not familiar with Linux on z Systems by connecting open-source projects with necessary resources for building on the mainframe, for example, collaborating with Open Mainframe Project (OMP) to create a Linux Resources page.
• Joseph talks about the potential for more distributions to be included in the working group, highlighting their ongoing outreach efforts.

Guest: Elizabeth Joseph (LinkedIn)
Project: Open Mainframe Project (Twitter)
Show: Mainframe Matters

This summary was written by Emily Nicholls.