If one were to install SuSE Enterprise 9 on an IBM zSeries or S/390, then how is the login proceedure? Can I login using the KDE desktop or is it like a Command Line? Or, in other words, how does SuSE Linux look on an IBM zSeries or S/390???

Any screenshots?

it will always be up to you what runlevel you run as... if your're using runlevel 5, then sure.. you can use kdm.

Personally though, i'd wonder why an s/390 owner/user cares abuot screenshots....

Ok, forget about the screenshots.

When have to configure something on the Mainframe using Linux like SUSE, then which Runlevel should I be using? I need some little assistance here. What enviroment in Linux is mostly used and recommended for running Linux on a Mainframe system? Which runlevel? Or, which would be more secure? Thats all I want to know, thats all...

I would think any S/390 owner would know these things. And I would imagine no owner of such machines would ever need X installed on a machine which most likely is used as a server. I've have to say in an Enterprise Corporate envrionment, 99% of all servers don't have X installed as its just wasted resources. A good sysadmin will only need the CLI to configure a server for whatever its setup to serve to users. Putting X on such a thing is pointless and useless and that should answer your question on what runlevel you should go with.. which is really still your own choice in the end.

I do not Administer these systems. My appology. Im just interested on how thses systems work. My question is, how can it be changed to run without the GUI or X when it boots up? Thats my question.

Because my goal is to be an IBM zSeries administrator and Im learning on my own here since there are seldom schools teaching this now...


So, getting back to topic, how should an administrator boot these systems running Linux? I know running a GUI like KDE is very silly and takes up memory. But, how can a administrator change that?? Thats my question.

it is usually done by changing the runlevel from 5 to 2 or 3 in /etc/inittab file.

What is most used and what is the most secure mode? Is it 5, 3, or 2?

Did you not read my first reply. On a server, most likely runlevel 3 is most common. On a desktop, depends on the user, if they want to start in the GUI or manually start it up as needed.

The more secure way, most likely 3.. since by default X listens on port 6000 which would be open during login. But there really isn't a secure system that is networked, just don't login directly as root ever and that always helps.

Perhaps you should read more about security in Linux. A good place to start is unspawn's sticky thread in our Security forum that links to many security related articles, howto's, etc.