Managing partitions (logical partitioning)

Partitioning is the ability to make a server run as if it were two or more independent servers. When you logically partition a server, you divide the resources on the server into subsets called partitions. You can install software on a partition, and the partition runs as an independent logical server with the resources that you allocated to the partition. You can create a maximum of 1000 partitions on some servers. However, the maximum number of partitions on a server varies depending on the server configuration.

Partitions help you efficiently use system resources and increase configuration possibilities. You can use partitions to reduce the footprint of your data center by consolidating servers and maximize the use of system resources by sharing resources among multiple partitions.

If you are using an HMC Enhanced interface, you can use Manage PowerVM and Manage partition functions to allocate processors, memory, and I/O devices to partitions.

If you are using an HMC Enhanced+ interface, you can perform partition management functions, such as assigning processors, memory, and I/O devices to partitions, by accessing the options listed under the Properties area of the HMC graphical user interface.

You can complete most configuration updates while the partition is running.

You can run AIX®, IBM® i, or Linux operating systems on partitions.