IBM has brought out server software, called AIX 5L Version 5.2, that improves system utilisation and helps lower costs with mainframe-style workload balancing and the ability to add resources on the fly.
According to IBM, current industry averages for Unix server utilisation are in the 10 to 15 per cent range. This new software is based on IBM’s automated workload management capabilities for its mainframe systems, where peak utilisation can average from 85 to 100 percent.
Available on new and existing IBM pSeries Unix systems, AIX 5L v5.2 allows users to divide their server into smaller ‘virtual’ servers running either Unix or Linux. Users can exploit the full power of their system by shifting workloads and changing resources transparently. If one partition experiences a problem and needs to be restarted it does not affect any of the other virtual servers on the system.
Administrators can create virtual servers on ‘dynamic partitions’ that are as small as a single processor and 250Mbyte of memory. The smaller the partition, the more efficient the resource allocation, and potentially, the lower the Total Cost of Ownership.
New to AIX 5L Version 5.2, IBM’s implementation of dynamic Logical Partitioning (LPAR) allows system resources including processors, memory and, other components to be assigned to independent partitions, without rebooting the system.
Another important feature is Capacity Upgrade on Demand (CUoD). Working together, CUoD and dynamic LPAR help system administrators adapt to changing workloads and rapid growth without an interruption in service. Using CUoD and dynamic LPAR together, if an IBM pSeries system has a failing charge to the customer and with no interruption in service or performance degradation.
Users may also add new processors in pairs to meet increased workloads without interrupting operations. This is especially important to retail chains and other companies with peak seasons. The other advantage of CUoD is increased granularity. Previously, customers had to add eight processors at a time; now they can buy just the processing power they need now and have excess capacity available for future growth.
Logical Partitioning also allows administrators to divide their pSeries systems into many smaller virtual servers running either AIX 5L v5.2, v5.1 or Linux. Because many systems may be consolidated on to one IBM eServer, customers are able to save on floor space and system administration expenses.
The ability to run both AIX 5L v5.2 and Linux concurrently offers several advantages over a two-system approach. Administrators running test and production applications may wish to run both within one server rather than operating two separate machines with possible performance variances. Having a common server can be very useful during operating system and application migrations leaving one less variable.
The AIX Toolbox for Linux Applications is available at no charge and allows customers to run many Linux applications on AIX 5L v5.2.
Also new in AIX Workload Manager (WLM) are improvements to the Web-based System Manager interface and to features providing administrators with greater control over system resources assigned to applications.
Logical Volume Manager (LVM) and JFS2 file system enhancements plus a suite of new tools designed to provide improvements in overall system performance.
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21/01/2003
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