virtualization VIO basics

The Virtual I/O Server is part of the IBM System p Advanced Power Virtualization hardware feature. Virtual I/O Server allows sharing of physical resources between LPARs including virtual SCSI and virtual networking. This allows more efficient utilization of physical resources through sharing between LPARs and facilitates server consolidation.The Virtual I/O Server is software that is located in a logical partition. This software facilitates the sharing of physical I/O resources between AIX® and Linux® client logical partitions within the server. The Virtual I/O Server provides virtual SCSI target and Shared Ethernet Adapter capability to client logical partitions within the system, allowing the client logical partitions to share SCSI devices and Ethernet adapters. The Virtual I/O Server software requires that the logical partition be dedicated solely for its use.The Virtual I/O Server is available as part of the Advanced POWER™ Virtualization hardware feature.Using the Virtual I/O Server facilitates the following functions:-->Sharing of physical resources between logical partitions on the system-->Creating logical partitions without requiring additional physical I/O resources-->Creating more logical partitions than there are I/O slots or physical devices available with the ability for partitions to have dedicated I/O, virtual I/O, or both-->Maximizing use of physical resources on the system-->Helping to reduce the Storage Area Network (SAN) infrastructureThe Virtual I/O Server supports client logical partitions running the following operating systems:-->AIX 5.3 or later-->SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 for POWER (or later)-->Red Hat® Enterprise Linux AS for POWER Version 3 (update 2 or later)-->Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS for POWER Version 4 (or later)For the most recent information about devices that are supported on the Virtual I/O Server, to download Virtual I/O Server fixes and updates, and to find additional information about the Virtual I/O Server, see the Virtual I/O Server Web site.The Virtual I/O Server comprises the following primary components:-->Virtual SCSI-->Virtual Networking-->Integrated Virtualization ManagerThe following sections provide a brief overview of each of these