Preview: IBM Retail Environment for SUSE LINUX Version 2
IBM United States
Software Announcement 205-005
January 11, 2005
 ENUS205-005.PDF (19KB)
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IBM Retail Environment for SUSE LINUX Version 2:
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Offers proven retail functions such as those provided by IBM's 4690 features, such as:
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Server-based POS loading and booting
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Industry standard system-wide configuration and change management
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Automatic problem determination with single-step dump button support
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Combined server/terminal support
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Client preload GUI
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Remote Management Agent for systems management support
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Helps reduce total cost of ownership through expanded versatility, scalability in the store, and
single-source technical support
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Combines a reliable, enterprise-class Linux distribution with a retail-friendly support and
maintenance model
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Offers enhanced functionality designed to streamline installation, configuration, and systems
management
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With IBM Retail Environment for SUSE LINUX (IRES) Version 2, on demand retailers can acquire
all of the advantages of Linux™, run it at the point of sale (POS) and on back-office servers,
enjoy robust functionality drawn from 30 years of IBM Retail experience, and receive outstanding
technical support from IBM. Like IRES V1, IRES V2 includes a retail-optimized distribution of
Novell's robust SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server (SLES) called SUSE LINUX Retail Solution (SLRS). IRES
V2 adds 4690-like function such as POS multi-cast boot and software loading, improved problem
determination including dump button enablement, improved operator guidance, a simplified
configuration graphical user interface, and retail industry standard tracking for software and
hardware change management. IRES supports select IBM SurePOS™ systems, IBM 
xSeries® hardware, and IBM
middleware. Version 2 also includes a cost-effective, retail-friendly support and maintenance
model that delivers the long lifecycle and rapid response retailers need to maintain high uptime in
the store.
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The only prerequisite for IRES V2 is supported hardware.
Hardware supported
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Select IBM xSeries servers
(with 1-2 processors) certified for SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server (SLES x86)
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Minimum: Intel™ Pentium™ 300 MHz
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IBM POS systems, including: SurePOS 700 Series, SurePOS 500 Series, SurePOS 300 Series, select
SurePOS 4694 POS Systems, and IBM Kiosk
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Memory Minimum: 64 MB (dependent on application)
Software supported
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SUSE LINUX platform
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Industry-standard Linux distribution (ordered from IBM and delivered by SUSE)
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Server images modeled on SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 (SLES9)
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Client images modeled on Novell Linux Desktop (NLD)
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Java™
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Drivers
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JavaPOS 1.7.4A and POSS/LIN 3.1.0
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Management tools
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SLES system management utilities including centralized POS management with the offering's enterprise
administrative server
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Middleware
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Select IBM middleware supported on SUSE's SLES-based offerings
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Applications
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Multiple IBM Business Partner software solutions
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Third quarter 2005
Previews provide insight into IBM plans and direction. Availability, prices, ordering information,
and terms and conditions will be provided when the product is announced.
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IBM Retail Environment for SUSE LINUX Version 2 offers the following:
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A truly retail-ready Linux platform
With IBM Retail Environment for SUSE LINUX (IRES) Version 2, on demand retailers can acquire
all of the inherent advantages of Linux, run it equally well at the point of sale (POS) and on
back-office servers, and receive outstanding technical support from IBM. Specifically, IRES V2
includes a distribution of SUSE LINUX from Novell that is modeled after the robust SUSE LINUX
Enterprise Server (SLES) code base called the SUSE LINUX Retail Solution (SLRS). This
enterprise-class operating system is optimized to work with select IBM SurePOS systems, IBM
eServer® xSeries hardware, and IBM middleware. IRES V2 also includes a cost-effective,
retail-friendly support and maintenance model that delivers the long lifecycle and rapid response
retailers need to maintain high uptime in the store.
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Low total cost of ownership
IRES can help reduce total cost of ownership in many ways. The SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server
operating system scales to virtually any size retail environment and can run at the POS, on
back-office servers, or on a mainframe. This helps reduce the costs of managing multiple operating
systems, in a single store or across the enterprise. IRES V2 allows retailers to use a single POS
terminal as both a server and client, reducing the need to buy additional hardware. It includes
scalable systems management tools designed for employees with little IT expertise. And unlike some
platforms, IRES supports thin-client diskless environments — which help improve uptime and speed
recovery from downtime — without the need to purchase additional software.
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Comprehensive, single-source support
The end-to-end support and maintenance component of IRES Version 2 provides the reliability
and continuity of service retailers demand — at a level typically unavailable with consumer-grade
Linux distributions. IRES V2 maintenance helps ensure retailers automatically receive release
updates and full support for future versions. IRES also includes real-time technical help from IBM,
so you have a single, convenient and highly available point of contact for all your support needs,
including systems integration. Yet even as you enjoy a longer service and support lifecycle, this
distribution remains open source.
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Enhanced retail functionality
IBM offers one of the most diverse solutions portfolios in our industry, and has extensive hands-on
experience in a wide range of retail formats. With this expertise, we are uniquely positioned to
deliver operating systems that are conditioned for high performance in retail. To this end, IRES V2
includes several operational enhancements designed to improve overall reliability and ease of use.
New systems management components make it easier to keep track of in-store hardware and software
inventory, so you can service peripherals proactively and validate software updates. A new
graphical user interface (GUI) streamlines the reporting process for easier network diagnostics. In
addition, IRES is the preferred choice for retailers implementing the innovative IBM Store
Integration Framework — a unified integration environment that speeds rollout of new hardware and
software and helps retailers manage store and customer data in real time.
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Faster, easier configuration
IRES V2 uses dynamic role-based configuration, which helps simplify network administration. Instead
of configuring each client individually, you simply select a default configuration based on the
system's role in your store — POS, help desk, service, gift registry, or many others. In some
cases, adding a new POS system to your store may not require any configuration at all. IRES also
facilitates turnkey installation of in-store servers, so you can get a new server up and running in
a Linux environment with less intervention and fewer manual steps.
Enhancements in IRES V2
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Graphical user interface (GUI) for Setup Cash Register (SCR)
A user-friendly visual interface replaces the traditional command line interface to SCR, the
mechanism used to build client images. Through the GUI, users can easily choose from a list of
features and the SCR configuration tool automatically selects the correct base image. This eases
the burden on technical resources and reduces the risk of configuration errors.
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Problem determination bundle
This tool collects and bundles all of the diagnostics required for a fast recovery in the event of
downtime. It produces them in a consistent format, which helps IBM service teams resolve problems
— even those not related to IBM hardware — more rapidly.
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Dump push button
Applicable to IBM POS hardware, this button allows users to dump the memory of any POS client for
remote collection in the back office. Remote collection helps ensure fast diagnostics and
resolution in the event of a system crash.
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PXE bootstrap
This systems management tool helps enable fast loading of thin clients, automatic updating of client
BIOS, and improved messaging during the boot process.
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Improved distribution
During complex software updates to clients and servers, images sent from the enterprise level to the
store level include only the segments that are new — instead of the entire image. This reduces
strain on store bandwidth and speeds up the maintenance process (especially in large operations).
It also allows you to return to the previous image automatically if updates are not completed
correctly.
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SLRS9 currency
Based on SLES9, SLRS9 uses the 2.6 kernel of Linux for complete currency, including Quad Byte
support for Chinese code pages. SLRS9 currency also ensures that this Linux distribution will
easily accommodate new middleware and software offerings that are SLES9 certified.
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Server/client hardware support
IRES V2 allows retailers to use a single POS system as both a server and client, enabling retailers
with very few POS systems to take advantage of IRES without necessarily needing to purchase a
separate Linux server.
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For information about IBM Retail Environment for SUSE LINUX (IRES) V1, refer to Software
Announcement
204-002
, dated January 13, 2004.
Also, refer to PRPQs P85722, P85723, P85724, P85725, P85726, and P85727. The respective Product ID
numbers are 5799-RYL, 5799-RYP, 5799-RYN, 5799-RYQ, 5799-RYR, and 5799-RYT.
Business Partner information
Direct Resellers - System Resellers acquiring products from IBM may link directly to Business
Partner information for this announcement. PartnerWorld ID and password required (use IBM ID).
BP Attachment for Announcement Letter 205-005
Trademarks
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SurePOS is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other
countries or both.
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xSeries and eServer are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the
United States or other countries or both.
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Intel and Pentium are trademarks of Intel Corporation.
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Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
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Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries or both
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Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.
At a glance
