IBM LinuxONE 5 is a high-performance Linux platform with advanced hardware security and AI acceleration for modern workloads.
IBM has introduced the IBM LinuxONE 5, a high-performance Linux computing platform designed for data, application, and AI workloads. Powered by the IBM Telum II processor with integrated AI acceleration, LinuxONE 5 arrives at a time when organizations are prioritizing security, cost-efficiency, and seamless AI integration.
Security Built for Modern Demands
The fifth generation of IBM LinuxONE delivers robust cybersecurity and privacy, taking a comprehensive approach to zero trust and simplifying compliance for enterprise clients. LinuxONE 5 incorporates confidential computing, substantial cryptographic bandwidth, and NIST-standardized post-quantum algorithms. A state-of-the-art hardware security module further strengthens the platform’s end-to-end protection for workloads and data.
These security features are particularly relevant for organizations handling sensitive AI models and proprietary data. For example, confidential containers, supported through Red Hat® OpenShift® Container Platform, help protect data in use, a critical consideration for AI and analytics workloads. When paired with IBM Vault Self-Managed, LinuxONE 5 delivers advanced secrets management across hybrid environments, supporting regulatory compliance and operational peace of mind.
The platform’s security posture is engineered to address both current and emerging threats, including the risk of “harvest-now, decrypt-later” attacks in a post-quantum world. This makes LinuxONE 5 a strong candidate for industries with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government.
Cost-Efficiency for Modern IT
LinuxONE 5 is engineered to help organizations tackle datacenter costs, space, and energy challenges. By consolidating workloads from multiple servers onto a single, high-capacity system, enterprises can reduce operational complexity and optimize their IT footprint. According to IBM, migrating cloud-native, containerized workloads from a comparable x86 environment to LinuxONE 5 can yield up to 44% savings in total cost of ownership over five years.
LinuxONE 5 is also designed for high availability, targeting up to eight 9s (99.999999%) uptime. This level of reliability supports business continuity and helps organizations manage operational risk, a key consideration as CIOs look to stretch budgets and maximize datacenter capacity for data-intensive, AI-driven workloads.
AI Built In, Engineered for Better Outcomes
At the core of LinuxONE 5 is the IBM Telum II processor, featuring a second-generation on-chip AI accelerator. This enables businesses to scale predictive AI and large language models (LLMs) for real-time, high-volume transaction processing with improved precision and accuracy.
Looking ahead, the IBM Spyre™ Accelerator, expected to be available as a PCIe card in late 2025, will add further generative AI capabilities to the platform. LinuxONE 5 is engineered to support a range of AI use cases, from advanced fraud detection and image processing to retail automation and real-time analytics.
The AI Toolkit for IBM LinuxONE has been updated and optimized for the Telum II processor to streamline AI development and deployment. This toolkit is designed to help developers accelerate their AI projects and fully utilize the platform’s capabilities.
IBM is also previewing Red Hat® OpenShift® AI and OpenShift Virtualization on LinuxONE 5. Clients can experiment with managing traditional virtual machines and containerized workloads through a unified interface, while deploying AI models using standard modes and vLLM runtime templates.
Ecosystem-Led Innovation and Growth
The LinuxONE ecosystem brings together a broad network of Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), open-source contributors, and reseller partners. ISVs deliver specialized solutions that leverage LinuxONE’s AI and encryption strengths, while the open-source community provides flexible tools for integration and scalability. Partnerships with companies like Canonical and SUSE ensure support for various Linux distributions, giving clients choice and flexibility.
IBM supports LinuxONE 5 with a suite of lifecycle services, including 24/7 hardware monitoring and rapid issue resolution through IBM LinuxONE Expert Care. Software support extends to Red Hat, SUSE, and other major platforms, ensuring a comprehensive support experience. General availability details are expected in the coming months.
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