POWER5 Partitioning

Network

External storage

2 CPUs

Virtual I/O

Server

Virtual

Virtual

SCSI

adapter

2 CPUs 3 CPUs 3 CPUs

Linux AIX AIX v5.2 v5.3

6CPUs

Micro-Partitioning

AIX v5.3 Linux AIX v5.3 Linux AIX v5.3

Virtual Ethernet

POWER Hypervisor

I/O

I/O

I/O

I/O

Storage

Network

Sto

Net

Sto

Net

Sto

Net

HMC

I/O

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Figure 2-15 Micro-Partitioning and LPAR

Virtual I/O Server

The Virtual I/O Server is a special-purpose partition that provides virtual I/O resources to client partitions. The Virtual I/O Server owns the real resources that are shared with the other clients. With Virtual I/O technology, a physical adapter can be assigned to a partition to be shared by one or more partitions, enabling clients to minimize their number of physical adapters. The Virtual I/O Server can be used to reduce costs by eliminating the requirement that each partition has a dedicated network adapter, disk adapter, and disk drive.

It is preferable to use the Virtual I/O server in a partition with dedicated resources to help ensure stable performance.

The following sections discuss the two major functions that are provided from the Virtual I/O Server.

Shared Ethernet adapter

A Shared Ethernet Adapter is a new service that acts as a Layer 2 network switch to route network traffic from a Virtual Ethernet to a real network adapter. The Shared Ethernet Adapter must run in a Virtual I/O Server partition.

The advantage of the Virtual Ethernet Services is that partitions to communicate outside the system without having a physical network adapter attached to the partition. Up to 18 VLANs can be shared on a single network interface. The amount of network traffic will limit the number of client partitions that are served through a single network interface.

Virtual SCSI

Access to real storage devices is implemented through the Virtual SCSI services, a part of the Virtual I/O Server partition. Logical volumes that are created and exported on the Virtual I/O Server partition will be shown at the virtual storage client partition as a SCSI disk. All current storage device types such as SAN, SCSI, and RAID are supported.

The Virtual I/O server supports logical mirroring, and RAID configurations. Logical volumes created on RAID or JBOD configurations are bootable, and the number of logical volumes is limited to the amount of storage available and architectural limits of the LVM.

40p5-570 Technical Overview and Introduction

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IBM P5 570 manual POWER5 Partitioning, Virtual I/O Server

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.