System i LPARs

["Joe Pluta" <joepluta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just got back from NEUGC.  Typically when I speak at a user group
conference I either speak or give a lab nearly every session, so I dno't get
to see a lot of the other speakers.  But I DID get a chance to attend one of
Andy Chung's Linux LPAR gigs.

I was blown away.

Linux LPAR is just about the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life
(okay, next to Service Entry Points).  While we actually installed the Linux
partition on our laptops, Andy took the time to show uis the System i
configuration screens (both via green screen and System i navigator) and
it's absolutely incredible.

Let's say you have a mission critical Linux application.  You can load that
into a virtual Linux partition by carving out a small chunk of your IFS (and
for Linux, remember that can be a very small chunk).  But here's the best
part: if I want to make a configuration change, I can just save the IFS
file, make my changes, and then test.  If a grunge up my setup, I just
restore the old IFS file!

Hot diggity dog!

Not only that, but if I run out of disk space, I can add additional space
with a single green screen command (this requires shutting down the
partition, but big whooptiedoo).

I'm liking this.

I think I have a spare time project coming on...

Joe