How to create logical partition with IBM Navigator for i

Virtual Partition Manager provides the capability to create and manage Linux or IBM i partitions without the use of the Hardware Management Console (HMC). Virtual Partition Manager supports the needs of small and medium customers that want to add simple Linux or IBM i workloads to their server. In addition they can isolate Linux and IBM i workloads into separate partitions.

The Virtual Partition Manager supports environments with a hosting IBM i partition and up to four client Linux or IBM i partitions. The hosting IBM i partition must own and manage all of the I/O resources. The logical partition uses virtual I/O to access disk, tape, DVD, and Ethernet resources owned by the hosting partition. Please note: Assignment of physical I/O resources to client partitions and dynamic movement of virtual I/O resources is not supported. You have to power off the client partition to move the virtual I/O resources. Memory and processor resources can be added or removed when partition is powered on but that requires an IPL to take effect.

You can not use Virtual Partition Manager on an IBM i server that is configured using an HMC. This  means that you have to disconnect your IBM i server from the HMC before you can try to use the Virtual Partition Manager. You can only use Virtual Partition Manager on the hosting IBM i partition.PowerVM Standard or Enterprise edition is required to support four client partitions.

IBM Navigator for i provides a graphical interface for Virtual Partition Manager.

To create a logical partition using IBM Navigator for i, follow these steps:

1. In IBM Navigator for i navigation area, expend Configuration and Services->All Tasks->Partition Management.

2. Select Create Partition to start the wizard.  

3. Follow the wizard instruction to create IBM i or Linux partition.

Similar to existing Virtual Partition Manager screens, IBM Navigator for i associates virtual Ethernet connections between client partitions and the hosting partition.  This association is done by specifying the same VLAN ID for virtual Ethernet adapters in both the client and hosting partitions.  As a new feature, IBM Navigator for i also creates and associates the required Network Server Description (NWSD) and Network Storage Space (NWSSTG) objects in the hosting partition.  There are several options for implementing virtual Ethernet.

1  Chapter 6 of the Redbook article Virtual Partition Manager - A guide to Planning and Implementation (http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpapers/pdfs/redp4013.pdf) documents the Proxy ARP method.

2  The "Ethernet Layer-2 Bridging" section of the Redbook article Creating IBM i Client Partitions Using Virtual Partition Manager (http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpapers/pdfs/redp4806.pdf) documents how to set up layer-2 bridging.

The last step of creating logical partition is to install operating system on your logical partition. After that you can power on your new partition on IBM Navigator for i and start enjoying it!