You can have more than one profile for a partition. However, you can only activate a partition with one profile at a time. Additionally, affinity partitions and logical partitions cannot be active at the same time.

When you create a partition profile, the HMC shows you all the resources available on your system. The HMC does not, however, verify if another partition profile is currently using a portion of these resources. For example, the HMC might show 16 processors on your system, but does not notify you that other partitions are using nine of them. You can create two partition profiles, each using a majority of system resources. If you attempt to activate both of these partitions at the same time, the second partition in the activation list fails.

System Profiles

Using the HMC, you can create and activate often-used collections of predefined partition profiles. A collection of predefined partition profiles is called a system profile. The system profile is an ordered list of partitions and the profile that is to be activated for each partition. The first profile in the list is activated first, followed by the second profile in the list, followed by the third, and so on.

The system profile helps you change the managed systems from one complete set of partitions configurations to another. For example, a company might want to switch from using 12 partitions to using only four, every day. To do this, the system administrator deactivates the 12 partitions and activates a different system profile, one specifying four partitions.

When you create a group of affinity partitions, the HMC automatically creates a system profile that includes all of the affinity partitions that you created.

Types of Partitions

The HMC allows you to use two types of partitions: logical partitions and the full system partition.

Logical Partitions

Logical partitions are user-defined system resource divisions. Users determine the number of processors, memory, and I/O that a logical partition can have when active.

Affinity Partitions: An affinity partition is a special type of logical partition in which processors and system memory are allocated in a predefined way that may increase performance when running some types of applications (memory is assigned to a processor that is in close physical proximity to it).

Affinity partitions can be created with either four or eight processors. The user determines the allocation of I/O resources in a server with affinity partitions; only the allocation of processors and memory is predefined.

Reassigning Partition Resources Dynamically: You can logically attach and detach a managed system's resources to and from a logical partition's operating system

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IBM pSeries690 manual System Profiles, Types of Partitions, Logical Partitions
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pSeries690 specifications

The IBM pSeries690, also known as the IBM eServer p690, is a high-performance server within IBM's line of Power Systems, designed primarily for enterprise-level workloads. Launched in the early 2000s, it distinguished itself as one of IBM's flagship offerings, aimed at delivering exceptional scalability, reliability, and processing power.

At the heart of the pSeries690 is the IBM POWER4 processor, a revolutionary architecture that significantly enhanced processing capabilities. The system supports multiple processor configurations, allowing businesses to customize performance based on their specific applications. Each pSeries690 can be configured with up to 32 POWER4 processors, providing a maximum processing power that is well-suited for demanding enterprise applications, complex databases, and large-scale transaction processing.

One of the standout features of the pSeries690 is its ability to handle massive amounts of memory — up to 1TB of total RAM. This is particularly advantageous for businesses that run memory-intensive applications or require high availability for critical tasks. The server’s advanced memory architecture contributes to faster data access and improved overall system performance.

Additionally, the IBM pSeries690 employs the innovative AIX operating system, which is tailored for high performance and reliability. AIX comes equipped with features such as dynamic logical partitioning (LPAR), allowing resources to be allocated flexibly and efficiently across different workloads. This technology supports virtualization, enabling multiple operating environments to run concurrently on a single physical server, optimizing resource utilization.

The pSeries690 also includes robust fault tolerance and reliability features. Redundant components, hot-swappable parts, and advanced error detection mechanisms ensure that the system remains operational even in the event of hardware failures. This reliability is crucial for mission-critical applications where downtime can lead to substantial financial losses.

Networking capabilities of the pSeries690 are enhanced by support for high-speed connections, including Gigabit Ethernet and the ability to integrate with various network topologies. This versatility facilitates seamless connectivity in complex IT environments.

In conclusion, the IBM pSeries690 remains a powerful and reliable choice for enterprises seeking to manage and optimize their most demanding workloads. Its combination of cutting-edge processing capabilities, expansive memory support, and robust virtualization features makes it a significant player in the realm of enterprise computing. As businesses continue to evolve, the core strengths of the pSeries690, especially in terms of scalability and reliability, ensure that it continues to meet the needs of demanding applications.
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