Migrating from WLM to gWLM

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Overview
HP Global Workload Manager (gWLM) and HP-UX Workload Manager (WLM) provide the intelligent
control for the HP Virtual Server Environment. They enable automated, dynamic allocation of server
resources among applications according to defined policies—so resource utilization improves and
service levels are maintained. While gWLM and WLM are best suited for different types of Virtual
Server Environment deployments, they both provide the following capabilities:
• Management of real-time resource allocation of many soft partitions (HP-UX virtual partitions, HP
Integrity virtual machines, or Secure Resource Partitions)
• Shifting of Instant Capacity usage rights for cores between hard partitions (nPars) or servers based
on business priorities
• Resizing within or across servers based on demand by activating or deactivating Temporary Instant
Capacity
• Synchronization of resource management policies to re-allocate server resources in the case of a
failover
So how do they differ, and how are they positioned? As HP’s strategic workload management
product, HP gWLM is ideal for both a large-scale deployment with multiple servers, as well as for
workloads on a single system or in a high-availability environment. A typical example is a shared IT
deployment where a single IT department manages servers for multiple business units and many
applications run on a large number of servers—each with several partitions. HP-UX Workload
Manager is designed to manage workloads on a single system or in a high-availability cluster. HP-UX
WLM is a suitable solution for a line-of-business (LOB) consolidation in which the LOB owns its servers
but relies on an IT team to manage them. WLM also gives you the ability to fine-tune policies to
support specialized resource management needs.
HP-UX WLM is intended for installations where it is already in use. HP gWLM should be considered
for new installations as well as installations where growth, in terms of scale or complexity, are
anticipated.
Why migrate?
In addition to the positioning of gWLM discussed above, consider migrating to gWLM for benefits
including:
• Simplified configuration, including a library of policies that are ready to use
• Centralized management using HP SIM that provides policy administration and reporting features
that enable IT to easily set up, manage, and track resource usage
• Integration with HP VSE products
• Deeper integration with HP Integrity Virtual Machines
• Automatic discovery of systems to manage
• OwnBorrow policies (allow you to specify the amount of resources a workload owns, as well as
exactly how much the workload can borrow and lend, in essence combining base and stretch goals
into a single policy)