Introducing HP-UX 11i Virtual Partitions

Sep 2007 15
The HP Virtual Server Environment for HP-UX 11i, of which vPars is a key part, creates a flexible
environment that can double server resource utilization, maintain continuous service levels, and
provide a mechanism to pay only for the resources that are used. In short, it creates a more agile
and lower cost environment.
HP OpenView Management Software
HP OpenView tools such as GlancePlus can monitor or manage individual HP-UX 11i Virtual
Partitions. Using GlancePlus on the nPartition or server reflects the physical resource utilization for
all HP-UX 11i Virtual Partitions running on an nPartition or server. When run in a virtual partition,
GlancePlus monitors resource utilization of the CPUs and I/O for the operating system running in
that virtual partition.
Availability
The HP-UX 11i Virtual Partitions product is available on cell-based HP9000 servers, with or without
nPartitions, as well as on the single HP9000 servers, running HP-UX 11i v1, HP-UX 11i v2, and HP-
UX 11i v3 (the latter with exception of N4000/L3000). vPars also supports cell-based Integrity
servers, with or without nPartitions, running HP-UX 11i v2 and HP-UX 11i v3.
Limitations and Constraints
• Maximum of 8 vPars per hard partition
• Hard partition running vPars cannot be configured with more than 8 cells
• Hardware failure isolation is limited
• Monitor/firmware could be considered as an SPOF
• I/O cannot be migrated dynamically between vPars
• Multi-port cards cannot be split across vPars
For more information
For additional information, please visit the following sites:
• HP Partitioning Continuum
www.hp.com/go/partitions
• HP Virtual Server Environment
www.hp.com/go/vse
• HP-UX 11i
www.hp.com/go/HP-UX11i
• HP Integrity Servers
www.hp.com/go/integrity
• HP 9000 Servers
www.hp.com/go/hp9000
• vPars System Administrator’s Guide: Installing and Managing HP-UX Virtual Partitions
http://docs.hp.com/hpux/11iv1 , or http://docs.hp.com/hpux/11iv2, or
http://docs.hp.com/hpux/11iv3 under “Virtual Partitions”
• HP-UX Virtual Partitions Ordering and Configuration Guide
http://docs.hp.com/en/1705/oc.pdf