How to learn VIOS

We may be using VIOS on some new hardware. High probability of not going
with the "Pure" system approach at this time. Not ruling out SAN disk at
this time but I think we may wait until our next hardware move (ok, so we
don't wait 10 years between upgrades like some). But things like
virtualizing the lpars to share 10GB ethernet, huge fiber pipes for SAN
tape and what not is appealing. So, how is it recommended to learn it? My
boss is leaning towards using vouchers we will receive for this hardware
upgrade to have IBM send someone on site to do this for us and train the
trainer. Which sounds pretty good to me. But maybe a little pre learning
might make it stick more. I found a few small references with Google:
http://www.ibmsystemsmag.com/ibmi/administrator/lpar/To-VIOS-or-Not-to-VIOS/?page=1
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/aix/library/au-vioscli/
Maybe I really don't need VIOS to virtualize ethernet. After all, on the
HEA (Host Ethernet Adapters) I did a little virtualization there. But
we're still thinking learning VIOS is something we'll have to do
eventually. I am familiar with HMC. Don't know a lick about AIX. I've
done multiple lpars. I've done hosted/guested lpars. I know just enough
about Linux to be able to figure out how to check the disk cache batteries
on our Linux lpars. I guess I'll have to learn how to do that in VIOS.

Now for the FUD: I am hearing that there is small performance penalty
(around 10%) for running under VIOS instead of natively. I've heard it
was worse but they've improved it. I am remembering how terribly slow
tape backup was when running under PASE that I don't want to get hammered
again.


Rob Berendt