The Advanced POWER Virtualization feature includes:

￿Firmware enablement for Micro-Partitions

￿Installation image for the Virtual I/O server software that supports:

–Ethernet adapter sharing

–Virtual SCSI Server

￿Partition Load Manager

–Automated CPU and memory reconfiguration

–Real-time partition configuration and load statistics

–Graphical user interface

Micro-Partitioning technology

POWER5-based servers introduces an enhanced partitioning model that is based on the partitioning concepts of a stable and well-known mainframe technology and on existing LPAR/dynamic LPAR implementation on POWER4 and POWER4+ servers.

The Micro-Partitioning model offers a virtualization of system resources. In POWER5 processor-based systems, physical resources are abstracted into virtual resources that are available to partitions. This sharing method is the primary feature of this new partitioning concept and it happens transparently.

POWER5 Micro-Partitioning specifies processor capacity in processing units. One processing unit represents 1% of one physical processor. 1.0 represents the power of one processor. A partition defined with 220 processing units is equivalent to the power of 2.2 physical processors. Creating a partition using Micro-Partitioning technology, the minimum capacity is 10 processing units, or 1/10 of a physical processor. A maximum of 10 partitions for each physical processor may be defined, but on a loaded system the practical limit is less. In a p5-570 system with 16 processors in a shared pool, up to 160 partitions using Micro-Partitioning technology can be activated at the same time for an entire system. The practical limit to the number of partitions is based on available hardware and performance objectives.

Micro-Partitions can also be defined with capped and uncapped attributes. A capped Micro-Partition is not allowed to exceed the defined capacity (a configuration flag inside the HMC menus determines whether the capacity is capped), while an uncapped partition is allowed to consume additional capacity with fewer restrictions. Uncapped partitions can be configured to the total idle capacity of the server or a percentage of it.

The POWER5 processor-based systems use the POWER Hypervisor, which is the new Hypervisor for executing the Micro-Partition model. The Hypervisor of existing POWER4 processor-based systems works on a demand basis, as the result of machine interrupts and callbacks to the operating system. The new Hypervisor operates continuously in the background.

The Advanced POWER Virtualization Feature, which is described in 2.9.2, “Advanced POWER Virtualization feature” on page 38, facilitates all POWER5 and POWER Hypervisor enhancements to reach the highest level of granularity of installed system resources.

Figure 2-15shows the POWER5 partitioning concept.

Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview 39

Page 50 Page 52
Page 51
Image 51
IBM P5 570 manual Micro-Partitioning technology, 15shows the POWER5 partitioning concept
Page 50 Page 52

P5 570 specifications

The IBM P5 570 is a high-performance server that was designed for enterprise-scale computing, offering a blend of advanced technologies and a flexible architecture. Launched as part of IBM's Power5 server line, the P5 570 stands out for its robust processing capabilities and extensive scalability, making it a preferred choice for businesses requiring reliable and efficient computing solutions.

At the heart of the P5 570 is the IBM Power5 processor, which employs simultaneous multi-threading (SMT) technology. This allows the processor to handle two threads per core, effectively doubling the throughput for workloads ideally suited to multi-threading. The server typically features a configuration of up to 32 Power5 processors, providing an impressive compute power that supports demanding applications, ranging from databases to complex enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

The P5 570 architecture supports a wide range of memory configurations, with a maximum memory capacity of up to 512 GB. Utilizing IBM’s proprietary Chip Memory technology, it can deliver high bandwidth and low latency, significantly enhancing performance for memory-intensive applications. Furthermore, the integrated memory controller architecture optimizes memory access, ensuring that critical workloads run smoothly.

Scalability is a key characteristic of the P5 570, with the ability to expand processing power and memory capacity as an organization’s needs grow. The server supports various operating systems, including AIX, Linux, and IBM i, which provides flexibility for diverse IT environments. This versatility ensures that companies can run their preferred applications without the need for substantial system overhauls.

In terms of storage, the P5 570 utilizes advanced RAID technology and supports a variety of disk configurations, ensuring that data integrity and availability are maintained. Coupled with built-in security features, such as the IBM Trusted Foundation, which establishes a secure boot environment, the P5 570 offers a reliable platform for mission-critical workloads.

Finally, the IBM P5 570 is designed for high availability and redundancy. Features like hot-swappable components and advanced error detection and recovery mechanisms minimize downtime, making it a dependable choice for businesses that operate around the clock. Combined with its powerful hardware and versatile software support, the IBM P5 570 remains a formidable player in the high-performance server arena.
Top Page Image Contents