There have been many good discussion threads recently regarding VIOS and hosted/client LPARS.
I currently have a combination of 3 traditional and 2 hosted/client LPARS.
The hosted/client LPARs are only for testing i5/OS upgrades, Java, OpenSSH, Open SSL, PTF applies, system restores, etc.
No licenses for 3rd party products on the hosted/client LPARS.
I'm considering VIOS, but have some concerns.
My current disk requirement is 100% SSD for Production LPAR, optimal performance, (1 EXP24S) and 100% 10k spinny for R&D LPAR, optimal capacity (2nd EXP24S)
If I go non-VIOS, I'm thinking only 2 LPARS, one for Production, one for R&D. The R&D LPAR would also be a host for the client LPARS.
1) From all the threads, VIOS works better with SAN DASD, not internal/external. I use internal/external.
2) We have large IO demands, I have been told I could see a DASD performance hit with VIOS, is this correct?
3) If using VIOS, and you have a disk failure, from Rob's previous thread, disk management is quite different with VIOS, is this correct?
4) If considering a P7 8205-E6C upgrade to P8 8286-42A, with the EJ0P backplane (18 + 8 ) internal DASD, VIOS may not be a good match.
5) I would like to use the EJ0N with opt EJ0S, P8 split back-plane, 1/2 for each LPAR, but no cache, no controller redundancy, no external SAS ports, not a good option.
6) The P8 CEC includes great features for performance and "hot swap availability), (not true with previous P5, P6, P7 CECS), however, not really suitable for LPARing, at least in my scenario.
I'm sort of "Stymied" at this point, reviewing all the pros/cons of various LPAR methods.
I know what I want to do, just don't sure how I will get there.
Most LPAR docs are dated.
Any new links or docs for LPAR planning.
Thank You
_____
Paul Steinmetz
IBM i Systems Administrator
Pencor Services, Inc.
462 Delaware Ave
Palmerton Pa 18071
610-826-9117 work
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