SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9

Service Pack 2

Reader Rating

Novell is pleased to announce that it has released the second Service Pack (SP2) for SUSE® LINUX Enterprise Server 9. SP2 is a consolidation release that delivers a combination of security improvements, maintenance enhancements, and updates from the most popular open source projects. With SP2 SUSE Linux continues to "raise the bar" for enterprise systems that run reliably and safely.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 Service Pack 2 contains all the latest security patches and bug fixes that have been released for the Linux 2.6 kernel and associated packages since SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 was originally released. The fixes and patches have been rigorously tested and fully integrated into the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server environment.

Keeping with tradition, SP2 also includes the most current device drivers for the most recent generation of server hardware for all major hardware architectures (including x86, AMD64, EM64T, Intel® Itanium® 2 Processor Family, IBM POWER and IBM zSeries).

SP2 is available to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server customers who have valid Upgrade Protection from Novell. Proceed to view options for downloading sp2.

Read "What's New in SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 Service Pack 2?"

SP2 Highlights

SP 2 supersedes SP1 and contains all bugfixes released via the maintenance Web since the GA version (August 2004)
SP2 contains all security fixes released via the maintenance Web since the GA version.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 with SP2 supports the newest generation of server hardware for all supported hardware architectures (x86, AMD64, EM64T, Intel® Itanium® 2 Processor Family, IBM POWER and IBM zSeries). In addition, many existing hardware drivers have been refreshed with the latest updates.
Inclusion of Oracle Cluster File System 2 for x86, AMD64®, Intel® EM64T®, and Intel Itanium® 2 Processor Family.

New Features

Multipath device support is now integrated into the hotplug infrastructure of the system (for Qlogic, Emulex, LSI HBAs).
Dual core CPU support for latest AMD64® & Intel® EM64T® processor and Intel Itanium2 processor family.
IBM POWER systems benefit from NUMA support.
IBM zSeries reduces CPU usage by using TCP segmentation offload for OSA Express Cards.
CRKM (Class based resource management) is extended by three new controllers (CPU, I/O, number of tasks) to allow more specific assignment of resources.
Increased database performances can be achieved by using shared memory segments larger then 2GB on 64bit systems.
The system boot process performance has significantly increased for configurations with a large number of disks attached.
Root partition can now be located on LVM volumes residing on RAID volumes.
OCFS 2 cluster files system has been included to support Oracle RAC on x86, AMD64® & Intel® EM64T® and Itanium 2 processors.

Enhanced Features

Improved hardware probing to increase the range of supported chipsets.
The following chipsets have been tested and are supported: Intel ICH7 (PATA, SATA, I2C, PIRQ, AC97), Intel ICH4L, Intel i915 GM graphic chipset, Intel HDA sound chipsets, ATI server chipset RN50, chipset and RMP3 console port support for HP zx2 and HP sx2000 systems, Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100/2200 Driver.
IA-32 emulation support on Intel Itanium2 processor family has greater performance and stability, especially for multi-threading applications.
Multipathing capabilities have been extended to support a larger the range of storage attachments (EMC, IBM, Hitachi, NetAPP, SGI, etc). Preferred path or asymmetrical path options can now be deployed.
HP® Superdome® systems using the Itanium Processor Family (IPF)/Itanium 2 processors are now supported.
Ext2 file systems support has been extended beyond 2 TB.
Raw device support on IBM S/390 is now available.
NX / Execute Disable (XD bit) for x86 is now supported and can be enabled on boot time. (NX support for x86_64 processor was added SP1.)
Novell AppArmor kernel support has been integrated to more easily facilitate AppArmor deployments.

Get SP2

SP2 is available to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server customers who have valid Upgrade Protection from Novell. Please use one of the following options to access sp2.