the hmc allows you to use two types of partitions: logical partitions and the full system partition.

    logical partitions

    logical partitions are user-defined system resource divisions. users determine the number of processors, memory, and i/o that a logical partition can have when active.

    affinity partitions: an affinity partition is a special type of logical partition in which processors and system memory are allocated in a predefined way that may increase performance when running some types of applications (memory is assigned to a processor that is in close physical proximity to it).

    affinity partitions can be created with either four or eight processors. the user determines the allocation of i/o resources in a server with affinity partitions; only the allocation of processors and memory is predefined.

    reassigning partition resources dynamically: you can logically attach and detach a managed system’s resources to and from a logical partition’s operating system without rebooting. in addition, failing resources can be dynamically released from the owning partition, serviced and reattached, or replaced with an acceptable replacement without disturbing the partition’s activities.

    full system partition

    a special partition called the full system partition assigns all of your managed system’s resources to one large partition. the full system partition is similar to the traditional, non-partition method of operating a system. because all resources are assigned to this partition, no other partitions can be started when the full system partition is running.

    likewise, the full system partition cannot be started while other partitions are running.

    the hmc allows you to easily switch from the full system partition to logical partitions.

    the actual setup of the operating system in a partition may require some careful planning to ensure that no conflicts exist between the two environments.

    for more detail on partitions, see the ibm hardware management console for pseries installation and operations guide, order number sa38-0590.