Software maximizes physical resources on OpenPower systems.

Press Release Summary:



Virtual I/O Server v1.1 for IBM eServer® OpenPower systems is a single-function operating system that provides virtual SCSI target and shared Ethernet adapter virtual I/O functions to Linux(TM) client partitions. It allows partitions to be created without requiring additional physical I/O resources. It also enables more partitions to be created that there are I/O slots or physical devices. Partitions may have dedicated I/O, virtual I/O, or both.



Original Press Release:



IBM Virtual I/O Server V1.1 Helps Maximize Physical Resources on OpenPower Systems



Overview
IBM Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) for IBM eServer® OpenPower systems is a single-function specialized operating system that provides the virtual SCSI target and shared Ethernet adapter virtual I/O functions to Linux(TM) client partitions.

VIOS resides in an OpenPower partition and is created using the
Hardware Management Console (HMC). It is not intended for running applications or for general user logins.

The VIOS installation media ships on the VIOS optical media and supports network install (NIMOL from HMC) or installation from CD-ROM. It supports SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 for POWER(TM) or Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS for POWER Version 3 as virtual I/O clients.

VIOS is one component in a set of technologies known as Advanced
OpenPower Virtualization. The other component, called the POWER
Hypervisor, is an optional feature of OpenPower systems that is designed to provide both logical partitioning (LPAR) and dynamic LPAR capabilities to server resources such as processors and memory. These two offerings, ordered separately,
can be combined with OpenPower systems to form an even more
powerful and versatile solution. The Advanced OpenPower Virtualization technologies are designed to increase system utilization and flexibility, while simultaneously increasing overall availability.

While VIOS is not required for the POWER Hypervisor feature to
operate, the POWER Hypervisor feature must be installed for VIOS to function. The POWER Hypervisor feature for your OpenPower system is available separately through your IBM representative or an IBM Business Partner. Planned availability and support for the POWER Hypervisor may vary by country.

Key prerequisites
Any OpenPower 720 (9124-720) system with the optional POWER
Hypervisor feature and supporting operating system

Planned availability date
October 29, 2004

At a glance
IBM Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) facilitates the sharing of physical I/O resources between partitions on an OpenPower(TM) system.
o Allows partitions to be created without requiring additional
physical I/O resources
o Enables more partitions to be created than there are I/O slots
or physical devices (partitions may have dedicated I/O, virtual
I/O, or both)
o Provides virtual SCSI and Shared Ethernet Adapter functions to client partitions
o Helps maximize the utilization of physical resources

For ordering, contact:
Your IBM representative or the Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL Reference: RE001

All Topics