Table of Contents
Advertisement
For more information about the Virtual I/O Server and its implementation, see IBM PowerVM
Virtualization Introduction and Configuration, SG24-7940, available from the following web
page:
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg247940.html
3.4.5 PowerVM Lx86
The PowerVM Editions hardware feature includes PowerVM Lx86. Lx86 is a dynamic, binary
translator that allows Linux applications (compiled for Linux on Intel architectures) to run
without change alongside local Linux on POWER applications. Lx86 makes this possible by
dynamically translating x86 instructions to POWER and caching them to enhance translation
performance. In addition, Lx86 maps Linux on Intel architecture system calls to Linux on
POWER architecture system calls. No modifications or recompilations of the x86 Linux
applications are needed.
PowerVM Lx86 creates a virtual x86 environment in which the Linux on Intel applications can
run. Currently, a virtual Lx86 environment supports SUSE Linux or Red Hat Linux x86
distributions. The translator and the virtual environment run strictly within user space. No
modifications to the POWER kernel are required. PowerVM Lx86 does not run the x86 kernel
on the POWER system and is not a virtual machine. Instead, x86 applications are
encapsulated so that the operating environment appears to be Linux on x86, even though the
underlying system is a Linux on POWER system.
PowerVM Lx86 is included in the PowerVM Express Edition, PowerVM Standard Edition, and
in the PowerVM Enterprise Edition. More information about PowerVM Lx86 can be found at
the following web page:
http://www.ibm.com/systems/power/software/virtualization/editions/lx86/
3.4.6 PowerVM Live Partition Mobility
PowerVM Live Partition Mobility allows you to move a running logical partition or virtual
server, including its operating system and running applications, from one system to another
without disrupting the infrastructure services. The migration transfers the entire system
environment, including processor state, memory, attached virtual devices, and connected
users. Inactive partition mobility allows you to move a powered-off logical partition or virtual
server from one hardware platform to another.
Note: Partition Mobility is only available with the Enterprise PowerVM Edition.
Partition mobility provides systems management flexibility and improves system availability,
as follows:
Avoid planned outages for server upgrade, hardware, or firmware maintenance. Move
logical partitions or virtual servers to another server and perform the maintenance. Live
Partition Mobility can help lead to zero downtime maintenance because you can use it to
work around scheduled maintenance activities.
Meet stringent service level agreements. You can proactively move the running partition
and the applications from one server to another.
Balance workload and resources. Should a key application's resource requirements peak
unexpectedly to a point where there is contention for server resources, you might move it
to a larger server or move other, less critical, partitions to separate servers, and use the
freed-up resources to absorb the peak.
112
IBM BladeCenter PS703 and PS704 Technical Overview and Introduction
Advertisement
Table of Contents
