Information roadmap

The PowerVM information roadmap provides easy access to many information resources that help you get started with PowerVM. These resources are organized according to task-so you can get help with what you are doing right now.

White papers

• A Comparison of PowerVM and x86-Based Virtualization Performance
• Achieving Technical and Business Benefits through Processor Virtualization (PDF, 504KB)
• Active Memory Sharing overview
• Active Memory Sharing Performance

Analyst reports

• ITG whitepaper: Power Systems: Virtualization Impact for Enterprise Server Infrastructures (PDF, 945KB)
• ITG whitepaper: Comparing Costs of IBM PowerVM and x86 VMware for Enterprise Server Virtualization analyst brief (PDF, 482KB)
• Virtualization Trends On IBM's System P - Unraveling The Benefits In IBM's PowerVM (PDF, 106KB)

  This Forrester paper talks about the benefits of PowerVM.

• IBM's Power: A View from the Hill (PDF, 158KB)

  Illuminata's Gordon Haff takes a close look at IBM's Power landscape - the servers themselves - and the processor technology, systems software, and virtualization capabilities that complement them.

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Training and certifications

The following IBM instructor-led classes are available for PowerVM and Power Systems Virtualization. To enroll in any of these classes visit www.ibm.com/training and type in the course number.

AU73: Virtualization I: Planning and Configuration
Learn the skills needed to become an effective administrator for IBM's Power Systems servers. Learn about the features of PowerVM and how to configure and manage logical partitions (LPARs) running AIX or Linux using the Hardware Management Console (HMC).

AU75: Virtualization III: Virtualization Performance Management
Learn advanced skills to measure, analyze, and tune AIX subsystems for optimal performance on IBM Power Systems. Focus on the features that relate to the special monitoring, configuring, performance management, and tuning needs of PowerVM logical partitions (LPARs).

AU78: Virtualization Implementation and Best Practices
Learn advanced skills to plan, set up, and implement basic and advanced configurations of the Virtual Input/Output (VIO) Server and its clients including high-availability solutions when using the PowerVM Editions features on IBM Power Systems.

Certification
IBM Certified Systems Expert - Virtualization Technical Support
Provides technical support for virtualization technologies in an IBM Power Systems environment. The IBM Certified Systems Expert provides technical expertise when determining customer business requirements, including planning, implementing and managing PowerVM virtualization solutions.

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Community resources

• PowerVM forum

  The PowerVM forum is a developer-moderated forum where you can find information about and help for the PowerVM technologies and products.

• PowerVM wiki

  The PowerVM wiki provides helpful information about Power Systems virtualization, including the technologies and products that are part of PowerVM.

Related websites

• IBM System Planning Tool

  The IBM System Planning Tool is a free browser-based application that helps you design system configurations; it is particularly useful for designing logically partitioned systems. You can download the SPT from this website as well as find useful information about how to get started using the many features of SPT.

• Virtual I/O Server

  The Virtual I/O Server allows sharing of physical resources between LPARs including virtual SCSI and virtual networking. The Virtual I/O Server support site provides downloadable product updates and technical information related to the Virtual I/O Server.

• Hardware Management Console

  The HMC support site provides corrective service and other download support for all HMCs that manage IBM Systems with POWER6, POWER5 and POWER4 processors. It enables you to order media online and provides installation instructions and other technical information.

• Live Partition Mobility

  Live Partition Mobility enables you to move logical partitions from one Power Systems server to another while they are active. The Live Partition Mobility support site contains information about the required components as well as configuration information and workarounds for known problems.

• PowerVM Lx86 for x86 Linux applications

  PowerVM Lx86 supports the installation and running of most 32-bit x86 Linux applications on any System p or BladeCenter model with POWER6, POWER5+ or POWER5 processors, or IBM Power Architecture technology-based IBM BladeCenter blade servers. This support site provides the latest fix packs as well as supporting information.

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