The Virtual I/O Server provides virtual SCSI and shared Ethernet capability to client logical partitions on IBM eServer p5, IBM System p5, and IBM eServer OpenPower systems. The Virtual I/O Server is installed in its own partition. It allows a physical adapter with attached disks on the Virtual I/O Server partition to be shared by one or more partitions, enabling client logical partitions to consolidate, and potentially minimize, the number of physical adapters required. It also facilitates the sharing of physical Ethernet adapters, allowing multiple client logical partitions to share a single Ethernet adapter.