System information

396 Logical Partitions on System i5
11.Figure 13-13 shows the available CPU and memory resources for creating new partitions.
In the next section, we use these resources to define new Linux partitions.
Figure 13-13 Available Resources for Creating New Partitions
12.You are now ready to create Linux partitions using Virtual Partition Manager, and the
resources that have been removed from i5/OS partition. Even tough the Work with System
Partitions display shows that you may require a System IPL, you should wait until all of the
new Linux partitions are defined. The next chapter looks at step by step instructions on
how to define a Linux partition using Virtual Partition Manager.
13.4.2 Understanding virtual I/O slots and requirements for IPLs
When defining Linux partitions using Virtual Partition Manager, you must think in terms of
setting up a brand new server — except that it does not have its own hardware. However the
requirement still remains. Resources such as memory, CPU, serial SCSI, Ethernet LAN, and
serial client adapter are just some of the resources you need on your computer. In the case of
eServer i5, the partition hypervisor virtualizes all of these resources through enabling virtual
I/O slots.
Depending on the number of Linux partitions you define and on the number of virtual I/O slots
you enable (such as virtual SCSI, virtual Ethernet LANs), you may or may not notice that an
IPL is required.
By default, the i5/OS partition is enabled with 8 virtual I/O slots. Internally, two of these virtual
slots are taken up by virtual serial, and one for virtual management device. This leaves five
free slots. When you create a partition, it takes up to 2 virtual I/O in the i5/OS partition: one for
the virtual SCSI server adapter, and one for the virtual serial client adapter. When you add
the i5/OS partition to a virtual Ethernet LAN, it uses one additional virtual slot.