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What's New in the VLP

The following page describes new features and functions recently added to the Virtual Loaner Program. Latest updates are recorded at the top of the page.

New in VLP May 2009

Use the VLP to validate your applications as Ready for IBM Power Systems Software. Find out more about this validation program then utilize 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.

New in VLP October 2008:

Did you know ...

  • VLP blog -- VLP now has a blog (weblog) to help you get the most out of your VLP experience. Here you will find the latest information, helpful tips, future enhancements and answers to questions you might have about the VLP. Please post your comments, suggestions, cheers or jeers -- the team would really like to hear directly from you, to find out how you are using the VLP and what your experiences with the VLP are. From the VLP home page, on the About VLP tab, click VLP blog or access it directly at http://ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/
    page/vlp    .

  • IBM Innovation Centers + VLP -- Did you know that you can use VLP resources and IBM Innovation Center resources together? If the systems available in VLP suit your needs, but you need more hands-on application technical support, you might qualify for technical support from an IBM Innovation Center for Business Partners technical consultant. The IBM Innovation Centers around the world are also able to leverage VLP resources in their Business Partner engagements.

    For more information, visit: http://ibm.com/isv/iic, or send an e-mail to vlp@us.ibm.com.

  • Network and VPN improvements -- The VLP team recently made several improvements to the VLP network infrastructure to alleviate performance bottlenecks that affected some users over the past several months. These changes were made to help significantly improve performance and response time for virtual private network (VPN) connections into VLP.

  • Temporary storage -- VLP users of System p AIX or Linux virtual servers can now request an additional 50 to 200 GB of virtual disk storage for large data applications or testing with more-realistic databases. This storage appears as a second virtual disk in addition to your virtual server's normal "boot" disk. Note that temporary disk storage cannot be saved as part of the VLP Save image process, and is available only for the duration of a single VLP reservation. For access, from the New reservation page click What is a promotional code and how do I get one?, fill out the form and in the Any other requirements field, enter Temp Disk xxxGB.

  • Dynamic LPAR capability -- VLP now provides limited dynamic LPAR (DLPAR) capability for System p AIX and Linux virtual servers. Users can test an application's DLPAR readiness by increasing or decreasing the number of virtual CPUs or the amount of physical memory available to an active VLP virtual server, generating DLPAR events that must be handled by the application. To use this feature, click the My reservations tab, select the project, then Select a reservation action -> Modify CPUs/Memory.

  • Send CDs/DVDs by mail -- If you have a large amount of data or software that would be impractical to transfer to VLP over the Internet, you can now send your CDs or DVDs rather than loading everything "across the wire." The VLP team will load the ISO images of your data or software into disk storage and make it available to you from your VLP reservation. See the About VLP tab, select Middleware, then scroll down and click VLP Media Management form.

  • Making a VLP reservation tutorial available -- Take advantage of the eight-minute online tutorial Making a Virtual Loaner Program (VLP) reservation available on the VLP How To page. Go to the VLP home page at http://ibm.com/systems/vlp, select the About VLP tab, then the How to tab. This interactive tutorial guides you through all steps necessary to make a reservation, allowing you to quickly and easily learn about this process.

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