IBM i application development is very popular now since such applications are indispensable for some areas of business. A lot of modern companies widely use IBM i applications as well as AIX and IBM i operating systems. These systems are secure, reliable, and scalable. In this article, we will compare AIX vs IBM i and discuss which industries and what they are used for.
What Is AIX?
AIX (Advanced Interactive eXecutive) is a Unix-based operating system. IBM released it in 1986. It supports different hardware, including IBM RS/6000 series, Power and PowerPC-based systems, IBM System i, System/370 mainframes, PS/2 personal computers, and the Apple Network Server. AIX is a popular and widely-used operating system since it is secure, scalable, and robust. IBM maintains and improves it, releases updates, and adds modern features.
What Is IBM i?
IBM i is an operating system with an embedded database that was created for midsize businesses. Now many modern companies use it. IBM created it for AS/400 system in 1988. The first operating system name was OS/400. Also, it is known as IBM iSeries.
IBM AIX vs. IBM i: What Are The Similarities And Differences?
AIX and IBM i are operating systems created by IBM at the end of the last century. Then it constantly updates these systems and adds features that are important for modern business. Both AIX and IBM i are scalable, secure, and reliable systems.
AIX can be used in different hardware platforms, while IBM i was developed for AS/400 line of systems. Also, AIX is used in servers, NAS, and workstations, and IBM i is used in minicomputers and servers. And the last thing to note, IBM i is usually installed on IBM devices, while AIX works on devices of various companies.
IBM AIX vs. IBM i: What Are The Pros And Cons?
AIX and IBM i have similar pros:
- High stability. These systems can work for several years without failure.
- Powerful and convenient interface.
- High level of security.
- The ability to easily scale as the business grows.
AIX vs IBM i cons:
IBM AIX has an encrypted, difficult-to-manage, and fragmented software maintenance process. Different types of updates have their own way of managing and applying them.
IBM i does not have enough CASE tools such as RDi. Also, it does not have a JSON-based parser for working with modern data formats.
Is IBM AIX Dead, And Isn’t Unix Relevant In Today’s Market?
Some experts say that AIX OS is dead, but we disagree with this view. AIX runs a lot of business-critical applications and it is important for many companies. It is used by most of the top banking, insurance, healthcare companies, and retailers. Unix also remains relevant to modern business. A lot of companies continue to use AIX and migrate to it from other outdated systems.
Which Industries Use IBM AIX, And How Similar Is It To AS/400?
Similar to AS/400, IBM AIX is used in financial, government, medical, and other industries that require high performance, security, and reliability. AIX OS offers enhanced security by changing permissions, different authentication methods, and customizing common criteria security evaluation functions.
What Is IBM AIX Used For?
IBM AIX is usually used for corporate servers, NAS, and workstations. It allows you to distribute access to memory, processor, and disk between different tasks. In addition, you can configure various security options, such as Kerberos V5 network authentication and dynamic secure tunnel authentication.
What Are The Reasons The IBM Power Systems AIX Is The Enterprise Strategic Choice?
IBM AIX has a number of significant advantages over other systems, and modern companies widely use it. There are several important reasons for this.
- Reliability. This operating system can run various critical business processes with high loads without crashing.
- Consolidation of servers. AIX systems enable the use of fewer servers, reducing costs and freeing up IT resources.
- The Workload Manager is a standard component of AIX OS that allows you to automatically manage the allocation of resources between processes. It can provide information about physical memory and disk I/O, allowing you to classify and decide where to allocate your resources in the OS.
- Cluster capabilities. You can combine computers, servers, and other resources to function as a single unit. This makes it possible to create a more reliable infrastructure in which, if one resource fails, others can compensate for it. In addition, you get a more productive and scalable system.
- Security. Various authorization methods, security options, and access levels ensure the security of your business.
Learning AIX and IBM i: What Are The Courses, Tracks, And Certifications Available?
There are many different courses that help you learn to work with AIX and IBM i. Some of them provide the basic knowledge needed to perform daily tasks using these operating systems. Others, more advanced, teach how to install, configure, and administer operating systems.
You can also gain knowledge in different ways: attend virtual group classes or simply watch technical webinars. Many text and video materials are available on the official IBM portal. After learning these materials, you can take the AIX v7 administrator certification on the same site.
To search for additional materials, you can use the educational portals Global Knowledge and Redbooks. Use the search words AIX and IBM i and you will find many useful resources.
How LANSA Supports IBM Power System Modernization For Better Performance?
LANSA is a platform that provides a lot of opportunities for IBM i application modernization and creating new software using modern technologies. It offers several tools that provide different benefits. One of them is aXes. It allows you to turn 5250 screens into modern web pages on the fly without writing any code. You can also easily modify them and add new functionality.
RAMP is one more LANSA tool that allows you to create new applications using modern technologies while preserving existing important functionality from legacy applications. Using RAMP, you can modernize your IBM i applications incrementally, so that it does not have a major impact on business operations.
Visit LANSA today to explore more options for your IBM application modernization and development.
