PowerVM Live Partitioned Mobility
A feature of IBM Virtualization
Presented by Group 3
Mayra Longoria
Mehdi Jafry
Ken Lancaster
Live Partition Mobility
“Live Partition Mobility allows you to migrate LPARs running
the AIX operating system and their hosted applications from
one physical server to another without disrupting the
infrastructure services.”
© Copyright IBM Corporation 1994, 2013
IBM Power 6/7 system
 Chassis is divided into servers.
 Servers run on power7 CPUs,
RAM, & OS.
 Servers contain Linux partitions that
house multiple Virtual Servers.
 Consequently, operating systems
must be Linux based.
Physical Servers Contain Linux Partitions that Contain Virtual
Servers
Server 1
Server 2
Server 3
Server 4
Server 5
Server 6
Virtual
Server 1
Virtual
Server 2
Virtual
Server 4
Virtual
Server 5
Virtual
Server 3
Virtual
Server 6
Live Partition Mobility
The process of moving an LPAR between
two Power Systems servers is called a
MIGRATION
What is an LPAR ?
LPAR stands for Logical Partition
 The division of a computer processor’s memory and storage
into multiple sets of resources.
 Each set can be operated independently with its own
operating system and applications.
2 Types of Partition Mobility
 Active Partition
A running LPAR is migrated without disrupting the operation
of the OS and applications running in that LPAR.
 Inactive Partition Migration
A partition that is logically ‘powered off’ (not running) is
transferred from one system to another.
Networked applications may see a short (~2 second)
network blip.
What are the problems?
 The need to upgrade a physical server
 The need to take a server down for maintenance
 The need to consolidate servers
 The need to replicate servers
 The need to rebalance workloads across systems
Live Partition Mobility is the Solution
 Live Partition Mobility allows you to migrate entire system
environments from one server to another, while they are running,
without disrupting the infrastructure services. The operation is
completed in minutes.
Virtualization is the key
 Virtualization, in computing, refers the act of creating a virtual
(rather than actual) version of something, including but not limited to
a computer hardware platform, operating system (OS), storage
device, or computer network resources.
Benefits of Virtual Live Partition Mobility
 Reduce Downtime - Re-locating LPARS & applications from server to server.
 End - Users are unaffected and unaware of the transfer.
 Virtual Servers can be transferred back to their original server.
 Reduces energy consumption
 Consolidate workloads and turn off unused servers
 Reduce power to run machines keeping them cool during off-peak
periods
Live Partition Mobility for New or Unexpected Events
One of the most time consuming activities in a complex environment is
the transfer of a workload from one system to another.
Migrations via Live Partition Mobility can assist to meet needs in within
the following areas:
 Deployment of a New System
A workload running on an existing system must be migrated to a new,
more powerful one.
 Replacement of faulty hardware
Live Partition Mobility in Routine Operations
 Avoiding a system shut-down during routine activities.
 Maintenance
Replacement of Memory Card
 Resource Balancing & Workload Consolidation
Servers might be starved of adequate CPU power when others
have increased levels of activity.
Workload Consolidation
“The first goal of server consolidation is to virtualize and migrate workloads so
you can optimize and balance performance using fewer physical resources”
© 2011 Novell, Inc
VM Live Partition Mobility
LPAR Profile
 Describes what resources an LPAR will have available when
it’s powered on.
CPU
Virtual CPU
Memory
Physical I/O Adapters
Virtual Adapters
Virtual I/O Server
 Consolidates multiple AIX Systems under a single System P
server; maximizing return on disk and network resources.
 Virtual I/O (VIO) technology was introduced by IBM
 Allows the same LPARS to use the same storage and
network resources, breaking the barrier of disk and adapter
isolation.
Databases/Applications that can be migrated on
AIX/Linux using LPMs
Migration via HMC
The 5 Main Steps are initiated
through the Hardware
Management Console (HMC).
HMC is Graphical interface
HMC Display ( LPARs setup)
Live Partition Mobility – How it Works
Steps:
 1. It takes contents from running LPAR
 2. Duplicates Features and Identity
 3. Sends Duplicate to Destination system
 4. Swings everything over
 5. Ties with original server are cut
Hardware Management Console
Questions ?