This topic discusses when you would want to set up an I/O processor (IOP) so that it can be switched from one logical partition to another.
When you switch an IOP or an I/O adapter (IOA), you take the control of the devices away from one partition and give it to another without restarting the server or the partition. Before switching the IOP or the IOA to another partition, you need to ensure the device is not in use.
IOPs or IOAs that are good candidates for switching between logical partitions include IOPs or IOAs that are attached to high-cost devices or low-use or low-demand devices.
Attention: When switching IOPs that control disk units, ensure that all disk units that belong to that specific IOP are first removed from the auxiliary storage pool and are in a nonconfigured status.