PowerVM express vs. standard

[ogniemi]

I have a system P6 520 (don't know if PowerVM is standard or express).

On page:

http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/power/software/virtualization/editions/index.html

I see the express has no HMC management option. Is that true? Does it mean that express can only be managed via IVM and not via HMC??

My system is managed by HMC - does it mean that I have not express PowerVM but standard one?

Next, comparing PowerVM express with standard:

http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/power/software/virtualization/editions/express.html

http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/power/software/virtualization/editions/standard.html

I can see both types supports VIO/Micro-Partitioning/Shared Processor Pool.

When I check in my system Preferences/Capabilities I see:

Micro-partitioning Capable False
Virtual I/O Server Capable False

Does "False" mean that these features activation codes were not purchased?

When I check activation codes for the system on

http://www-912.ibm.com/pod/pod

there is a VET code but is does enable only:

HSCL0409 i5/OS capability enabled.
HSCL040C 5250 capacity for application processing enabled.




kind regards.

 

[chgwhat]

Micro-partitioning Capable False
Virtual I/O Server Capable False

Does "False" mean that these features activation codes were not purchased?
Yes, I would think PowerVm express or standard was not purchased for this server.

Tony ... aka chgwhat

When in doubt,,, Power out...

 

[DukeSSD]

I think you need to either try installing IVM or check what was ordered to know for sure.

If you have the "POWER VM" feature and no HMC and the system was ordered correctly then you probably have Express.

In your:

Micro-partitioning Capable False
Virtual I/O Server Capable False

output I suspect, like most other AIX command output, the "False" means the "value" cannot be changed through the AIX command interface and the "value" is "Capable"

HTH

 

[p5wizard]

I suspect, like most other AIX command output, the "False" means the "value" cannot be changed through the AIX command interface and the "value" is "Capable"

DukeSSD, while valid on some AIX command output, this output is from the HMC, and here the attributes are "Micro-partitioning Capable" and "Virtual I/O Server Capable" and for both attributes the value is "False". You can check that with the lssyscfg -r sys -m <managed_system_name> command:

for a server that has these capabilities:
...micro_lpar_capable=[red]1[/red],os400_capable=1,5250_application_capable=0, redundant_err_path_reporting_capable=1,shared_eth_failover_capable=1, sni_msg_passing_capable=0,sp_failover_capable=1,vet_activation_capable=1, virtual_fc_capable=0,virtual_io_server_capable=[red]1[/red]...

for a server that hasn't:
...micro_lpar_capable=[red]0[/red],os400_capable=0,5250_application_capable=0, redundant_err_path_reporting_capable=1,shared_eth_failover_capable=1, sni_msg_passing_capable=0,sp_failover_capable=1,vet_activation_capable=1, virtual_fc_capable=0,virtual_io_server_capable=[red]0[/red]...

Both are managed by the same pair of HMCs.

Ogniemi, your server can be partitioned, but no micro partitions (shared-processor partitions) and you cannot create a VIOS partition. About HMC or IVM: any p5 or p6 box (so not the blades) has at least one FSP i.e. it is always manageable by an HMC.
In any case if you can't install VIOS, then I don't see how you can have an IVM partition. Or is that just me being ignorant?


HTH,

p5wizard

 

[DukeSSD]

Ok, P5wizard, but what would a power VM express enabled system show in the lssyscfg output when connected to a HMC, bearing in mind a power VM express system should not be connected to a HMC / is not supported on an HMC?

I guess the only way is to ask IBM or to check the order to see what power VM feature was ordered, to know for sure.