Described below are the many benefits to using the Virtual Loaner Program (VLP).You will also find a summary of the goals of the program, details of the current offering,and learn how to sign-up in the program. Is your application validated on the latest Power Systems technologies? Now you can use VLP to quickly test key virtualization technologies included in the new Ready for IBM Power Systems Software technical validation. Visit the Ready for Power System Software site to find out more about this validation program then return to the VLP to test: AIX 6 Live Application Mobility allows you to move a running workload partition from one logical partition to another, on the same or different servers. Because this is an AIX-based technology it will work on any Power System that AIX 6 supports.
Follow the VLP LAM user guide to get started. AIX 6 Workload Partitions (WPARs) allows the partitioning of AIX 6 into multiple environments, each hosting applications and providing isolation from applications executing in the other environments.
VLP users with AIX 6 systems have the option to add a WPAR from the reservation management screen. Go to the VLP reservation info page and select the reservation action ‘Add WPAR’.
For more details on how to create and work with WPARs on your VLP system please refer to the LAM user guide PowerVM Live Partition Mobility allows you to migrate running AIX or Linux partitions and their hosted applications from one physical server to another without disrupting infrastructure services.
The migration transfers the entire partition state, including processor context, memory, attached virtual devices, and connected users.
Follow the VLP LPM user guide to get started. PowerVM Lx86 brings new benefits to customers and application providers who want the reliability and flexibility of Power Systems in their Linux environment yet use applications that have not yet been ported to the platform.
IBM PowerVM Lx86 allows most Linux x86 binaries to run unchanged on POWER systems using translation software that translates x86. Enroll in the PowerVM Lx86 program to start testing the VLP. Micropartitioning - if you are already developing your application using the VLP, your validation for micropartitioning is complete!
The VLP environment utilizes Power micropartitioning to create user LPARs.
Benefits of the VLPReduced Developer and Integrator costs, by providing high-function hardware access without the associated costs of on-site physical servers — floor space, power, cooling, network, sysadmin headcount, etc. Access to a broad range of hardware systems, including larger and better-configured systems than most Developer and Integrators have available on-site. Flexibility to work with multiple system configurations, operating systems (OSes), and OS levels, without requiring multiple physical servers. Data Security through use of current technologies such as VPN and AES encryption.
Goals of the VLP VLP offers a rich and secure remote access infrastructure that allows Developer and Integrators to develop, test, certify, and support their applications on IBM hardware and middleware, while working in much the same manner as if they had loaner machines in their own office. Details of the current VLP Currently available systems as of 10/03/2008: IBM Power Systems: | | POWER6 with AIX & Linux (2 systems): | | | 9117-570 16-way, POWER6 4.7ghz, 128GB memory (1 system)
Operating Systems supported: AIX 5.3, AIX 6.1, RHEL 5, Novell SLES10
. 56 User LPar's (Logical Partition)
. User can request 1CPU/2GB, 2CPU/4GB, and with Promotional Code: 4CPU/8GB and 8CPU 16GB systems
. A "CPU" is a "Virtual CPU" that is equal to .20 of a real CPU
. All CPU capacities on POWER6 systems are UNCAPPED
. Each User LPar has 20GB storage on ESS
. Disks are virtualized using POWER6 VIOServers, via San Volume Controllers attached to ESS F800 systems
. Data network is Fiber
. Internal Ethernet network is Gigabit
. Virtual Ethernet connects to LPars and the VIO Servers within a System
. User has root access to LPar, no access to HMC
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| | POWER6 with IBM i (1 system): | | | 9406-MMA 16-way, POWER6 4.7ghz, 256GB memory
Operating Systems supported: IBM i 6.1
. 60 User LPars
. User LPar has 100GB virtual disk
. Disks are virtualized using VIOServers via San Volume Controllers attached to ESS F800 systems
. Data network is Fiber
. User can request 1CPU/2GB, 2CPU/4GB, and with Promotional Code: 4CPU/8GB and 8CPU/16GB systems
. A "CPU" is a "Virtual CPU" that is equal to .12 of a real CPU
. All CPU capacities on POWER6 systems are UNCAPPED
. Internal Ethernet network is Gigabit, copper
. Virtual Ethernet connects LPars via the VIOS to external network within a System
. User has QSECOFR/root access to LPar, no access to HMC
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| | POWER5 with AIX & Linux (2 systems): | | | 9117-570 16-way, POWER5 1.65ghz, 128GB memory - (3 systems)
Operating Systems supported: AIX 5.3, AIX 6.1, RHEL 4, RHEL 5, Novell SLES 9, Novell SLES10.
. 56 User LPar's (Logical Partition) / Power Systems (168 lpars total)
. User can request 1CPU/2GB, 2CPU/4GB, and with Promotional Code: 4CPU/8GB and 8CPU 16GB systems
. A "CPU" is a "Virtual CPU" that is equal to .25 of a real CPU
. All CPU capacities on POWER5 systems are UNCAPPED
. Each User LPar has 20GB storage on ESS
. Additional temporary storage can be provided using a promotional code, but is not available for Save&Restore
. Disks are virtualized using POWER5 VIOServers,via San Volume Controllers attached to ESS F800 systems
. Data network is Fiber
. Internal Ethernet network is Gigabit
. Virtual Ethernet connects to LPars and the VIO Servers within a System
. User has root access to LPar, no access to HMC.
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| | POWER5 with IBM i (1 system): | | | 9406-570 16-way, POWER5+ 2.2ghz, 192GB memory
Operating Systems supported: IBM i 6.1, IBM i 5.4.
. 36 User LPars
. User LPar has 210GB, Raid disks (4 Disk / IOP-IOA)
. User can request 1CPU/2GB, 2CPU/4GB, and with Promotional Code, 4CPU/8GB and 8CPU/16GB systems
. A "CPU" is a "Virtual CPU" that is equal to .33 of a real CPU
. All CPU capacities on POWER5 systems are UNCAPPED
. Internal Ethernet network is Gigabit, copper
. Virtual Ethernet connects LPars and a Linux Bridge LPar to external network within a System
. User has QSECOFR/root access to LPar, no access to HMC
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Duration: | | Currently we offer the PartnerWorld member (to be referred to as "user") no-charge access to logical partitions for up to 14 days (however, via Save&Restore, on dedicated partitions this can be virtually extended indefinitely via multiple sequential reservations - see Partition Characteristics below). |
Partition types: | | The root access (dedicated) environment will allow the VLP user exclusive use of the resources with full root access (QSECOFR on i) privileges. The VLP user can create accounts on the system, install middleware, and perform all functions of a root access user. |
Partition characteristics: | | A dedicated VLP logical partition (LPar) can be configured with either one CPU / 2GB memory or two CPUs / 4 GB memory. With full root-mode (QSECOFR on i) access, the user is free to modify the operating system configuration, install fixes, updates, and additional software. The user can also choose to save system images (as many images per user upto a total of 20GB of storage) during the reservation period. User customized saved system images can then be reloaded in subsequent reservations allowing the user long-term use via multiple sequential reservations. In addition, each VLP user has access to 10GB of file storage in an NFS-mounted /home directory, which is available on all reserved LPar's and is also persistent from one reservation to another. |
Reservation groups: | | Resources can be reserved and used as a reservation group, so that multi-component, multi-tier solutions can be developed and tested using multiple VLP partitions. |
Secure remote network access methods: | | Users can access the VLP machines via either the VPN concentrator, and associated VPN client software provided, or via SSH Gateway (using "PuTTY" client, OpenSSH, or similar client program obtained by the user). The SSH Gateway enables connectivity to users who may not be able to use the Cisco VPN Client SW that is provided due to a user's internal network incompatibility. |
Technical support: | | We provide technical support through email, and FAQs to the PartnerWorld member during their test period. |
Feedback request: | | At the end of each engagement all VLP users will be requested to fill out an online feedback form to enable us to assess the offering's value and gather requirements to plan for future enhancements. | How to sign-up:
If you have not already read the agreement previously: - Read the IBM agreement for the Virtual Loaner Program service (
 PartnerWorld ID required) - Click on "I agree"
- Fill out the submission form
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PartnerWorld ID required) 
