System information

2 Logical Partitions on System i5
1.1 HMC, Hypervisor, and partitions
The IBM ^ System i5 systems provide a new system architecture for logical
partitioning (LPAR) and Capacity Upgrade on Demand (CUoD):
򐂰 The LPAR Hypervisor is now shipped as a firmware part of all ^ System i5 models.
It is stored in the non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) of the Service Processor.
Previously, it was a part of the System Licensed Internal Code (SLIC) shipped with
OS/400. Once loaded, the LPAR hypervisor runs in main memory.
As the Hypervisor is now independent from the operating systems, there is no longer a
primary partition concept for LPAR. Memory is the only resource used by the Hypervisor.
򐂰 A
Hardware Management Console (HMC) device is required to perform LPAR, Dynamic
LPAR (DLPAR), and CUoD configuration and management.
This device is an IBM customized Linux appliance featuring an IBM NetVista specific
workstation. It is pre-loaded with the HMC software and cannot be used for any other
purpose or loaded onto another PC. A DVD-RAM drive is included for loading new
versions of the HMC code, and backup and recovery. A diskette drive is also included for
migration purposes.
The HMC is connected via the first Ethernet port of the ^. A system can be
managed by two HMCs. A single HMC can manage 48 i5 systems with 254 partitions, in
HMC terminology these are known as
Managed Systems. A second HMC should be
connected for redundancy.
In Figure 1-1 we show the new LPAR arrangement with System i5 systems, including the two
types of HMC. In the server you can see the components: firmware, i5/OS partitions, a Linux
partition, and an AIX partition. In this case the i5/OS partition is designated as a Service
Partition. We describe this arrangement and components in more detail in a later chapter.
Figure 1-1 New Logical Partitioning arrangement for System i5 systems
A 5250 terminal function is provided to open an operating system console session on each
managed i5/OS partition from the HMC. This is an additional choice to the current OS/400
Twinax, Operations Console, and LAN Console options, called the HMC type console.
An integrated modem is shipped with the HMC; this is to be used as a focal point for the IBM
Service Agent function that can report problems to IBM Support. I/O error reporting requires
an additional Ethernet link between the HMC and the ^.
OR
Hardware Management
Console
i5/OSi5/OS AIX LINUX
SLICSLIC
Firmware
Firmware
Perm | Temp
Service
Partition
Private
Network
and/or
Public
Network
Desktop
Rack mount