Virtual Network Interface Controller adapter

A logical partition to which single root I/O virtualization (SR-IOV) logical ports that are assigned cannot be migrated. To overcome this limitation, a virtual Network Interface Controller (vNIC) can be assigned to a logical partition. A vNIC is a type of virtual adapter that can be configured on client logical partitions to provide a network interface. Each vNIC client adapter is backed by an SR-IOV logical port that is owned by the Virtual I/O Server (VIOS).

Virtual NICs improve the performance of virtual networks. Dedicated vNICs enables the vNIC assigned to the partition to leverage the Quality of Service (QoS) capability that is available with SR-IOV adapters. A logical partition to which vNIC adapters are assigned can be migrated when the destination server also supports vNIC adapters.

When the HMC is at version 8.6.0, or later, the firmware is at level 8.6.0, or later, and the VIOS is at version 2.2.5.0, or later, a dedicated vNIC can have multiple SR-IOV logical ports on different physical ports as backing devices, and they can be hosted by the same or different Virtual I/O Servers.