System information

34 Logical Partitions on System i5
Figure 2-3 Twinax system adapter is needed
2.3 Console for partitioned (LPAR) systems
On System i5 systems, the LPAR structure is not as we have known it on iSeries. Most of the
basic concepts are the same, but there are significant changes. System i5 systems have no
Primary (controlling) or any Secondary partitions. All partitions are “equal” and independent in
terms of their relationship to each other. Linux partitions can still use virtual resources from an
OS/400 partition or be entirely independent. AIX V5R2 or later will run in a self contained
partition.
The Console mode selection in DST can be overridden by the tagged resource (via HMC)
when the partition is built. When tagging the console resource for the partition, you can tag an
IOP or an IOA. If you tag an IOA and that resource does not match the console type selected,
then the tagged IOA will be used.
For example, if you tagged a WAN IOA and the value for the console mode was a 3 for LAN,
the system will try to use Operations Console Direct cable. This is because the TAG for the
IOA will override the console mode. If an IOP was tagged and the IOP had a WAN and an
Ethernet card, then the console would try to come up on the LAN adapter.
The HMC console is the
only console that can take the console function away from another
console type, and will take it over even if the other console is in a session and doing work.
Primary partitions that are being migrated will require manual intervention to set the console
tag. Furthermore, any secondary partition on the source system that uses a console resource
in the main system tower will require manual intervention to tag the console resource. Any
secondary partition that has a console resource outside of the main system tower should
migrate without a problem, provided that the resource is on the system.
If you use HMC as the system console, then you do not need to tag anything, as it is done for
you by the HMC configuration wizard.