Virtual I/O Server

You can manage the Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) and client logical partitions by using the Hardware Management Console (HMC) and the Virtual I/O Server command-line interface.

The PowerVM® Editions feature includes the installation media for the VIOS software. The VIOS facilitates the sharing of physical I/O resources between client logical partitions within the server.

When you install the VIOS in a logical partition on a system that is managed by the HMC, you can use the HMC and the Virtual I/O Server command-line interface to manage the Virtual I/O Server and client logical partitions. As an alternative to the HMC, you can also use the IBM® Systems Director Management Console (SDMC) to manage the VIOS and client logical partitions.

When you install the VIOS on a managed system and there is no HMC attached to the managed system when you install the VIOS, then the VIOS logical partition becomes the management partition. The management partition provides the Integrated Virtualization Manager web-based system management interface and a command-line interface that you can use to manage the system.

For the most recent information about devices that are supported on the VIOS and to download VIOS fixes and updates, see the Fix Central website.