Logical partition overview

Logical 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 logical partitions. You can install software on a logical partition, and the logical partition runs as an independent logical server with the resources that you have allocated to the logical partition.

You can assign processors, memory, and input/output devices to logical partitions. You can run AIX®, IBM® i, Linux, and the Virtual I/O Server in logical partitions. The Virtual I/O Server provides virtual I/O resources to other logical partitions with general-purpose operating systems.

Logical partitions share a few system attributes, such as the system serial number, system model, and processor feature code. All other system attributes can vary from one logical partition to another.

You can create a maximum of 1000 logical partitions on a server. You must use tools to create logical partitions on your servers. The tool that you use to create logical partitions on each server depends on the server model and the operating systems and features that you want to use on the server.