And, I should point out that all of the features of PowerVM support Linux virtual machines, including micro partitions, VIOS, NPIV, AMS, AMD, etc., etc. This ordering process also enables the pHyp virtualization layer to be initialized on the Power System. Since PowerVM is the only virtualization environment on non-L servers (ignoring bare metal), decisions and ordering virtualization on the non-L models is easy since there is no choice.

but, more on that in a couple of paragraphs.) If the PowerVM virtualization environment is earlier than 2.2.3.5, then only BE Linux distribution are supported (hence, no Ubuntu nor SLES 12 nor RH 7.1 LE). (And, at this time with the 830.0 release, if you install 830, that will exclude support of OPAL, so you cannot switch back and forth…. PowerVM 2.2.3.5 will also require hardware microcode level 830 to be installed. PowerVM 2.2.3.5 will support AIX, IBM i, RedHat 6, 7, SLES 11, 12, Fedora, Open SUSE, and Ubuntu, all simultaneously, in different virtual machines (aka LPARS). PowerVM 2.2.3.5 supports both BE and LE distributions, with LE only enabled on POWER8 systems. PowerVM supports all PowerLinux distributions as guests (aka virtual machines, aka VMs) on all Power Systems including the PowerLinux systems 812L, 822L, and the non-GPU 824L. Let’s look at each of these implementations. Let’s look at virtualization of the PowerLinux environment.Ĭurrently, there are four “virtualization” models that can be implemented on PowerLinux systems: PowerVM, PowerKVM, RHEV (RedHat Enterprise Virtualization, aka Smart Virtualization), and bare metal… although bare metal implies no virtualization. these have been updated recently, all to the better. Several months ago, there were limitations and technology gaps. Take, for example, virtualization support.

It is recommended to always check the latest information. As soon as one finally understands the characteristics of the environment and defines a plan for implementation, it may be that before you can execute your plan, capabilities may have improved to the better and limitations removed. Be aware that technology and support changes, and will be changing very quickly, normally to the better.

Note: Linux on Power is a very dynamic environment. Blog: Ron Gordon, Mainline Information SystemsĮmail: Virtualization Options for Linux on Power

Linux virtualization