With physical partitioning, a single multinode server complex can simultaneously run multiple instances of one operating system in separate partitions, as well as multiple versions of an operating system or even different types of operating systems. The components of the server (for example memory, CPUs, and I/O) are physically divided, under the control of the server’s firmware and IBM Director.

The server can have up to two nodes, each capable of running its own operating system and applications, all running simultaneously. A partition can also span nodes, even to the point of having all four nodes serving one operating system. Each node can be managed independently by IBM Director.

See 5.2, “System Partition Manager” on page 150 for details.

1.3 IBM XA-32 chipset

The IBM XA-32 chipset is the product name describing the chipset developed under the code name “Summit” and implemented on the IA-32 platform. A product of the IBM Microelectronics Division in Austin, Texas, the XA-32 chipset is fabricated using the latest in copper technology and is composed of the following components:

￿Memory controllers — one memory controller, code named “Cyclone”, per four-way located within the SMP Expansion Module

￿Processor/cache controllers — one processor and cache controller, code named “Twister”, per eight-way located within the SMP Expansion Module

￿PCI bridges — two PCI bridges, code named “Winnipeg”, per x440 located on the centerplane and the I/O board that control both the PCI-X and Remote I/O

Figure 1-4 on page 8 shows the various IBM XA-32 components in a four-way x440 configuration.

Chapter 1. Technical description

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IBM 440 manual IBM XA-32 chipset