Specifications

Chapter 3. Virtualization 129
3.4.1 PowerVM editions
This section provides information about the virtualization capabilities of the PowerVM. The
three editions of PowerVM are suited for various purposes, as follows:
򐂰 PowerVM Express Edition
PowerVM Express Edition is designed for customers looking for an introduction to
more advanced virtualization features at a highly affordable price, generally in
single-server projects.
򐂰 PowerVM Standard Edition
This edition provides advanced virtualization functions and is intended for production
deployments and server consolidation.
򐂰 PowerVM Enterprise Edition
This edition is suitable for large server deployments such as multi-server deployments and
cloud infrastructure. It includes unique features like Active Memory Sharing and Live
Partition Mobility.
Table 3-3 lists the version of PowerVM that are available on Power 770 and Power 780.
Table 3-3 Availability of PowerVM per POWER7 processor technology-based server model
For more information about the features included on each version of PowerVM, see IBM
PowerVM Virtualization Introduction and Configuration, SG24-7940-04.
3.4.2 Logical partitions (LPARs)
LPARs and virtualization increase utilization of system resources and add a new level of
configuration possibilities. This section provides details and configuration specifications
about this topic.
Dynamic logical partitioning
Logical partitioning was introduced with the POWER4 processor-based product line and the
AIX Version 5.1 operating system. This technology offered the capability to divide a pSeries®
system into separate logical systems, allowing each LPAR to run an operating environment
on dedicated attached devices, such as processors, memory, and I/O components.
Later, dynamic logical partitioning increased the flexibility, allowing selected system
resources, such as processors, memory, and I/O components, to be added and deleted from
logical partitions while they are executing. AIX Version 5.2, with all the necessary
enhancements to enable dynamic LPAR, was introduced in 2002. The ability to reconfigure
dynamic LPARs encourages system administrators to dynamically redefine all available
system resources to reach the optimum capacity for each defined dynamic LPAR.
PowerVM editions Express Standard Enterprise
IBM Power 770 N/A #7942 #7995
IBM Power 780 N/A #7942 #7995
Note: At the time of writing, the IBM Power 770 (9117-MMC) and Power 780 (9179-MHC)
can only be managed by the Hardware Management Console.