Specifications

Chapter 5. Planning 123
When you install AIX V6.1 TL7 and AIX V7.1 TL1, you can virtualize through
WPARs, as described in 8.3.1, “Installing AIX” on page 364. (Older versions of
AIX 5L V5.2 and V5.3 on lower TL levels can run WPARS within a Virtual Server
running AIX V7.)
Also, Linux installations are supported on the Power Systems compute node.
Supported versions are listed in “Operating system support” on page 119.
Virtualized environment planning
If you decide to implement a virtualized environment, you can create AIX and
Linux virtual servers on the Power Systems compute node with or without a
VIOS. If you choose not to use VIOS, the number of virtual servers is limited by
the amount of expansion cards in the Power Systems compute node. If you
choose to use VIOS, you are able to virtualize the limited number of expansion
cards to create client virtual servers. Remember that you must use VIOS 2.2.1.
Integrated Virtualization Manager (IVM) and Systems Director Management
Console (SDMC) are not supported in the Power Systems compute node
environment, so you need an IBM Flex System Manager attached to your Power
Systems compute node Flexible Service Processor (FSP) to create virtual
servers and perform virtualization. The process for attaching the Power Systems
compute node to the IBM Flex System Manager is described in 8.1.1, “Firmware
update methods” on page 318.
If you plan to use advanced features such as Live Partition Mobility or Active
Memory Sharing, the Enterprise Edition is required. Information about these
features is at the following website:
http://ibm.com/systems/power/software/virtualization/editions/
As mentioned in 5.1.1, “Hardware planning” on page 118, rperf reports can be
used to check processor values and equivalences.
Important: Methods for installing these operating systems are described in
Chapter 8, “Operating system installation” on page 317.
Important: PowerVM provides several types of licensing, called editions. Only
Standard and Enterprise Editions are supported for Power Systems compute
nodes. Be sure to evaluate the options available in each of those editions and
purchase the correct license for what you are implementing.