Logical partition

A logical partition, commonly called an LPAR, is a subset of a computer's hardware resources, virtualized as a separate computer. In effect, a physical machine can be partitioned into multiple logical partitions, each hosting a separate instance of an operating system. A logical partition, commonly called an LPAR, is a subset of a computer's hardware resources, virtualized as a separate computer. In effect, a physical machine can be partitioned into multiple logical partitions, each hosting a separate instance of an operating system. IBM developed the concept of hypervisors (virtual machines in CP-40 and CP-67) and in 1972 provided it for the S/370 as Virtual Machine Facility/370. IBM introduced the Start Interpretive Execution (SIE) instruction (designed specifically for the execution of virtual machines) as part of 370-XA architecture on the 3081, as well as VM/XA versions of VM to exploit it. PR/SM is a type-1 Hypervisor based on the CP component of VM/XA that runs directly on the machine level and allocates system resources across LPARs to share physical resources. It is a standard feature on IBM System z only. An IBM POWER system uses PHYP (the POWER Hypervisor) to enable its LPAR functionalities for System p and System i since approximately 2000 in POWER4 systems. The terms PR/SM and LPAR are often used interchangeably in IBM Z, including in IBM documentation. Formally, LPAR designates the logical partitioning function and mode of operation, whereas PR/SM is the commercial designation of the feature. Amdahl Corporation's Multiple Domain Facility (MDF) was introduced in 1982. IBM began marketing its functionally similar PR/SM in 1988, implemented on its ESA/390 architecture released that year. MDF-based LPAR technology continued to be developed separately by Amdahl, and Hitachi Data Systems in part for their implementations of the new architecture, which featured the introduction of access registers that allowed use of multiple data spaces addressable by a single address space. IBM subsequently continued its LPAR development with its 64-bit System z and System i architectures. LPAR and PR/SM reconfigurations can be made without rebooting the computer, i.e., while some LPARs remain active. Reconfigurations can include changing channel path definitions and device definitions. z/VM supports the z/Architecture HiperSockets function for high-speed TCP/IP communication among virtual machines and logical partitions (LPARs) within the same IBM zSeries server. This function uses an adaptation of the Queued-Direct Input/Output (QDIO) high-speed I/O protocol. IBM later introduced LPARs to their iSeries and pSeries servers in 1999 and 2001, respectively, albeit with varying technical specifications. Multiple operating systems are compatible with LPARs, including z/OS, z/VM, z/VSE, z/TPF, AIX, Linux, and i/OS. In storage systems, such as the IBM TotalStorage DS8000, LPARs allow for multiple virtual instances of a storage array to exist within a single physical array. In first part of 2010 year, Fujitsu announced availability of its x86 64 PRIMEQUEST line of servers, which support LPARs. In second part of 2011 year, Hitachi has announced availability of CB2000 and CB320 blade systems, which support LPAR on x86 64 hardware. Logical partitioning divides hardware resources. Two LPARs may access memory from a common memory chip, provided that the ranges of addresses directly accessible to each do not overlap. It is possible for one partition to control memory managed by a second partition indirectly by communicating with a process on the partition with direct access, which acts as an intermediary. CPUs may be dedicated to a single LPAR or shared. While on Amdahl's MDF(Multiple Domain Feature) it was possible to configure an LPAR with both shared and dedicated CPUs. This is no longer possible with any mainframes currently in the market.