Partitioning the server

Logical partitions enable you to distribute resources within a single server to make it function as if it were two or more independent servers. Plan your next upgrade to include logical partitions.

This information explains how to set up, manage, and troubleshoot AIX^®, i5/OS^®, and Linux^® logical partitions on IBM^® Systems and eServer™ hardware.

• What's new for Partitioning the server
  This topic highlights changes made with this release that relate to partitioning in general.
• Printable PDF
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• Concepts for partitioning the server
  Before you start creating logical partitions, it is essential that you understand the concepts behind this type of system configuration.
• Partitioning with an HMC
  The Hardware Management Console (HMC) is a system that controls managed systems, including the management of logical partitions and use of Capacity Upgrade on Demand. Using service applications, the HMC communicates with managed systems to detect, consolidate, and send information to IBM for analysis.
• Partitioning with the Integrated Virtualization Manager
  The Integrated Virtualization Manager is a browser-based system management interface that you can use to manage a single managed system that uses IBM® Virtual I/O Server on a management partition. You can use the Integrated Virtualization Manager to create logical partitions on a single managed system, manage the virtual storage and virtual Ethernet on the managed system, and view service information related to the managed system.
• Partitioning with the Virtual Partition Manager
  The i5/OS Virtual Partition Manager allows you to create and manage up to four Linux logical partitions from a single i5/OS logical partition on certain IBM System i5™ and eServer i5 models.
• Partitioning using the Virtual I/O Server
  The Virtual I/O Server provides virtual storage and shared Ethernet capability to client logical partitions on the system. It allows physical adapters with attached disks on the Virtual I/O Server logical partition to be shared by one or more client partitions. Virtual I/O Server partitions are not intended to run applications or for general user logins. The Virtual I/O Server is installed in its own logical partition.
• Related information for logical partitions
  There are IBM Redbooks™ (in PDF format), Web sites, and Information Center topics that relate to the Partitioning the server topic.