With the recently announced POWER5 processor based eServer i5 systems, IBM is delivering the 3rd generation of logical partitioning for the iSeries family of servers. The new partitioning capabilities enable clients to further simplify their infrastructures.

The IBM Virtualization Engine, which provides support for logical partitioning and resource virtualization through i5/OS, is included with eServer i5 servers.

The Virtual Partition Manager (VPM) introduces the capability to create and manage Linux partitions without the use of the Hardware Management Console (HMC). The Virtual Partition Manager supports the needs of small and medium customers that want to add simple Linux workloads to their eServer i5 server. The Virtual Partition Manager is included with i5/OS V5R3.

The Virtual Partition Manager supports environments with one i5/OS partition and up to four Linux partitions. In addition, the single i5/OS partition must own and manage all of the I/O resources.

This document is intended to assist IBM Business Partners and clients that are planning to deploy Linux partitions on eServer i5 servers using the Virtual Partition Manager.

Chapter 1. Introduction to Virtual Partition Manager for eServer i5 Servers

Chapter 2. Planning for Virtual Partition Manager

Chapter 3. Getting Started with Virtual Partition Manager

Chapter 4. Preparing Your System for Virtual Partition Manager

Chapter 5. Creating Linux Partitions using Virtual Partition Manager

Chapter 6. Establishing Network Connectivity for Linux Partitions

Chapter 7. Setting up i5/OS Virtual I/O Resources for Linux Partition