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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.
Benefits
- Reduced 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.
VLP system details
IBM POWER7+ reservation details
User systems include virtualized CPU, disk and networking. User has root access to their system but cannot access HMC or VIO server. Reservation duration is up to 14 days with configuration defaults. System defaults can be adjusted using a Promotional Code.
| POWER7+ with AIX & Linux | |
|---|---|
| Server specification | 8205/740, 4.28 GHz Power7+ SCM |
| OS supported | AIX 7.1, RHEL 6, SLES 11 |
| CPU/Memory | 1 to 2 CPU / 2 to 6GB RAM |
| Storage space | 35GB storage on DS8000 |
| % of real CPU per Virtual CPU | 20% |
| Root access to LPar | Yes |
| Internal ethernet network | Gigabit |
| Data network type | Fiber |
| CPU capacities | UNCAPPED |
| Advanced Feature/Function | WPARs |
| Promotional code | Duration, CPU, Mem, temporary storage |
IBM POWER7 reservation details
User systems include virtualized CPU, disk and networking. User has QSECOFR/root access to their system but cannot access HMC or VIO server. Reservation duration is up to 14 days with configuration defaults. System defaults can be adjusted using a Promotional Code.
| POWER7 with AIX & Linux | POWER7 with IBM i | |
|---|---|---|
| Server specification | 8233/750 3.55 GHz & 9179/780 3.6 GHz | 9179/780 POWER7 3.6 GHz |
| OS supported | AIX 7.1, AIX 6.1, AIX 5.3, RHEL 6, RHEL 5.6, SLES 11, SLES 10 | IBM i 7.1, IBM i 6.1.1 |
| CPU/Memory | 1 to 2 CPU / 2 to 6GB RAM | 1 to 2 CPU / 2 to 6GB RAM |
| Storage space | 35GB storage on ESS | 100 GB storage on ESS |
| % of real CPU per Virtual CPU | 25% | 25% |
| QSECOFR/root access to LPar | Yes | Yes |
| Internal ethernet network | Gigabit | Gigabit |
| Data network type | Fiber | Fiber |
| CPU capacities | UNCAPPED | UNCAPPED |
| Advanced Feature/Function | WPARs | |
| Promotional code | Duration, CPU, Mem, temporary storage | Duration, CPU, Mem |
IBM POWER6 reservation details
User systems include virtualized CPU, disk and networking. User has QSECOFR/root access to their system but cannot access HMC or VIO server. Reservation duration is up to 14 days with configuration defaults. System defaults can be adjusted using a Promotional Code.
| POWER6 with AIX & Linux | POWER6 with IBM i | |
|---|---|---|
| Server specification | 9117-570, POWER6 4.7ghz | 9406-MMA, POWER6 4.7ghz |
| OS supported | AIX 7.1, AIX 6.1, AIX 5.3, RHEL 6, RHEL 5.6, SLES 11, SLES 10 | IBM i 6.1 |
| CPU/Memory | 1 to 2 CPU / 2 to 6GB RAM | 1 to 2 CPU / 2 to 6GB RAM |
| Storage space | 35GB storage on ESS | 100GB storage on ESS |
| % of real CPU per Virtual CPU | 20% | 12% |
| QSECOFR/root access to LPar | Yes | Yes |
| Internal ethernet network | Gigabit | Gigabit |
| Data network type | Fiber | Fiber |
| CPU capacities | UNCAPPED | UNCAPPED |
| Advanced Feature/Function | Live Application Mobility, PowerVM Lx86, Chiphopper, WPARs | |
| Promotional code | Duration, CPU, Mem, temporary storage | Duration, CPU, Mem |
IBM POWER5 reservation details
User systems include virtualized CPU, disk and networking. User has QSECOFR/root access to their system but cannot access HMC or VIO server. Reservation duration is up to 14 days with configuration defaults. System defaults can be adjusted using a Promotional Code.
| POWER5 with AIX & Linux | POWER5 with IBM i | |
|---|---|---|
| Server specification | 9117-570, POWER5 1.65ghz | 9406-570, POWER5+ 2.2ghz |
| OS supported | AIX 7.1, AIX 6.1, AIX 5.3, RHEL 6, RHEL 5.6, SLES 11, SLES 10 | IBM i 6.1, IBM i 5.4 |
| CPU/Memory | 1 to 2 CPU / 2 to 6GB RAM | 1 to 2 CPU / 2 to 6GB RAM |
| Storage space | 35GB storage on ESS | 210GB, Raid disks (4 Disk / IOP-IOA) |
| % of real CPU per Virtual CPU | 25% | 33% |
| QSECOFR/root access to LPar | Yes | Yes |
| Internal ethernet network | Gigabit | Gigabit |
| Data network type | Fiber | Fiber |
| CPU capacities | UNCAPPED | UNCAPPED |
| Advanced Feature/Function | PowerVM Lx86, Chiphopper, WPARs | |
| Promotional code | Duration, CPU, Mem, temporary storage | Duration, CPU, Mem |
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 Live web chat, E-mail, 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.
Advanced functionality
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 IBM Power System Software validation site to find out more about this validation program then return to the VLP to test:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| AIX 6 Live Application Mobility | 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) | 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 Lx86 | 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. |
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
PartnerWorld ID required)