IBM Unix Virtualisation on the Move
IBM Unix Virtualisation on the Move
August 10th, 2007: IBM has unveiled the first Unix based virtualisation offering that can move workloads from one machine to another while they’re running.
In another LinuxWorld Conference announcement, IBM has demonstrated its Unix based Live Partition Mobility (LPM) capable of moving live logical partitions, including entire operating systems, from one live server to another. The technology is already available for windows as part of VMware’s VMotion product; however this is the first time it’s been done on Unix.
LPM is a feature of IBM’s recently released Power 6 chip which can create numerous virtual servers on a single box. The feature is currently still in beta testing and is scheduled for general release later in the year. The power 6 chips themselves are already in the marketplace on board the IBM System p570 servers. According to a study by The Sageza Group, the Power 6 is a compelling reason for the take up of the p570’s.
The ability to move virtual partitions without the need for a reboot between p570’s “allows administrators to treat servers as a pooled resource as opposed to a workload specific model” said Clay Ryder, president, The Sageza Group.