Re: Micro-Partition Gotcha(for the group).

Jack Kingsley wrote on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:25:48 GMT:

If you plan on micro partitioning your server apparently there
have been some changes made under Power-6. You must order
your system or obtain a valid 'VET' code that needs to be
'enabled' on the system in order to do these types of setups.
Found this out earliear today on a system that I am working
on.

This is correct. A VET code for POWER6 and POWER7 systems
instructs the firmware as to how many partitions per core can be
created and is tied to which edition of PowerVM was ordered with
the system. No PowerVM means no partitioning.

The PowerVM editions build upon one another and are:
- Express enables a maximum of 3 LPARs per system. It provides
micro-partitioning and more.
- Standard enables up to 10 LPARs per core.
- Enterprise Edition also enables up to 10 LPARs per core, but
adds the capabilities of Active Memory Sharing and Live
Partition Mobility

Some IBM reps get confused about PowerVM meaning that VIOS is
**required** as well. It is not. VIOS comes at no additional
charge with PowerVM as well as things like shared processor
pools, dedicated donate, and support for Intel Linux binaries.