Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for affinity based optimization of persistent memory volumes. Responsive to receiving a request for a parent virtual PMEM device, a total memory capacity is apportioned amongst virtual persistent memory (PMEM) resources and physical memory resources. In accordance with a target affinity characteristic, a set of virtual central processor unit (CPU) sockets are assigned. Each virtual CPU socket is configured based on at least one physical central processor unit (CPU) core in conjunction with a subset of the virtual PMEM and physical memory resources. Child virtual PMEM devices are created for respective ones of the virtual CPU sockets, each of the child virtual PMEM devices being dedicated to the parent virtual PMEM device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for affinity based optimization of persistent memory volumes. Responsive to receiving a request for a parent virtual PMEM device, a total memory capacity is apportioned amongst virtual persistent memory (PMEM) resources and physical memory resources. In accordance with a target affinity characteristic, a set of virtual central processor unit (CPU) sockets are assigned. Each virtual CPU socket is configured based on at least one physical central processor unit (CPU) core in conjunction with a subset of the virtual PMEM and physical memory resources. Child virtual PMEM devices are created for respective ones of the virtual CPU sockets, each of the child virtual PMEM devices being dedicated to the parent virtual PMEM device.

Abstract: Maintaining data integrity for a logical partition by enabling nonintrusive switching of page tables used during a migration of the logical partition from a source computer system to a target computer system. A first page table stores a plurality of page entries made within a logically partitioned environment. A second page table stores one or more page entries generated during the migration. After migration, the processor page table pointer is switched to point to the first page table. A page entry in the second page table corresponding to a page entry made to the first page table by the logical partition may be invalidated in response to a page table hypervisor call made by the logical partition. In parallel, a plurality of entries generated during the migration of the logical partition in the second page table may be read through and invalidated.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method for tracking the state of a migrating logical partition. Embodiments may use the state to determine the readiness and/or appropriateness of a page of the logical partition for transferring. The state may include a value or other data used to track changes affecting the page or the relative ease and/or appropriateness of migrating the page. A page manager table with entries corresponding to the state of each page of the logical partition may be used to track the state while the logical partition continues to run during a migration.

Abstract: A partition migration mechanism migrates a logical partition executing an operating system and resumes the logical partition before all resources in the logical partition have been migrated. When a partition is being migrated, a call checkpoint mechanism creates checkpoints of the state of the operating system when the partition manager is called. Before performing the call to the partition manager, a check is made to determine if all resources required by the call are available. If so, the partition manager call is executed. If all resources required by the call are not available, a resource fault is indicated, which causes the operating system state from the last checkpoint to be restored and a corresponding virtual CPU to be preempted until the resource that caused the fault becomes available. Exceptions that do not require the missing resource may be performed while the virtual CPU awaits the resource to become available.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method bridge an isolated network such as a virtual network to an external network such as another virtual network or physical network by utilizing a network adapter on the other network that is assigned the same Media Access Control (MAC) address as an isolated network adapter on the isolated network.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method bridge an isolated network such as a virtual network to an external network such as another virtual network or physical network by utilizing a network adapter on the other network that is assigned the same Media Access Control (MAC) address as an isolated network adapter on the isolated network.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for processing virtual interrupts in a logically partitioned system are provided. An intelligent virtual global interrupt queue (virtual GIQ) that may be associated with a plurality of virtual processors running in a logical partition may be utilized. Upon receiving a virtual interrupt, the virtual GIQ may examine the operating states of the associated virtual processors. In an effort to ensure the virtual interrupt is processed as quickly as possible, the virtual GIQ may present the virtual interrupt to one of the associated virtual processors determined to be in an operating state best suited for processing the virtual interrupt.

Abstract: A television video recorder controlled by a viewer automatically compares a closed captioning stream from a current program instance with one or more respective closed captioning streams associated with previously recorded program instances to determine whether the current instance matches a previously recorded instance. If the closed captioning streams match, it is assumed that the current instance is a duplicate of a previously recorded instance, and the video recorder automatically takes an appropriate action with respect to recording at least one program instance. Preferably, one of the program instances is automatically deleted, so that there are no duplicates. Alternatively, the recorder might delete or mark from the saved program instance any portions thereof which do not match corresponding portions of a duplicate program instance, on the assumption that such portions are commercial advertisements.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method maintains data integrity for a logical partition by enabling nonintrusive switching of page tables used during a migration of the logical partition from a source computer system to a target computer system. A first page table may be configured to store a plurality of page entries made within a logically partitioned environment. A second page table may be used during migration to store one or more page entries generated during the migration. After migration, the processor page table pointer may be transparently switched to point to the first page table. A page entry in the second page table corresponding to a page entry made to the first page table by the logical partition may be invalidated in response to a page table hypervisor call made by the logical partition. In parallel, a plurality of entries generated during the migration of the logical partition in the second page table may be read through and invalidated.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method for tracking the state of a migrating logical partition. Embodiments may use the state to determine the readiness and/or appropriateness of a page of the logical partition for transferring. The state may include a value or other data used to track changes affecting the page or the relative ease and/or appropriateness of migrating the page. A page manager table with entries corresponding to the state of each page of the logical partition may be used to track the state while the logical partition continues to run during a migration.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method for facilitating logical partition migrations between computers by determining if the firmware of the computers is compatible. A hypervisor of a source logical partition may transfer a token and compatibility table indicative of firmware running on the source computer. A hypervisor on the system of the target logical partition may compare the firmware indicated by the token with a token and/or compatibility table listing firmware versions compatible with the target computer. Conversely, a token of the target computer may be compared to a compatibility table associated with firmware that is compatible with the source computer. In either instance, a match may result in the migration of the logical partition. Alternatively, an absence of a match may result in the migration being prohibited.

Abstract: A partition migration mechanism migrates a logical partition executing an operating system and resumes the logical partition before all resources in the logical partition have been migrated. When a partition is being migrated, a call checkpoint mechanism creates checkpoints of the state of the operating system when the partition manager is called. Before performing the call to the partition manager, a check is made to determine if all resources required by the call are available. If so, the partition manager call is executed. If all resources required by the call are not available, a resource fault is indicated, which causes the operating system state from the last checkpoint to be restored and a corresponding virtual CPU to be preempted until the resource that caused the fault becomes available. Exceptions that do not require the missing resource may be performed while the virtual CPU awaits the resource to become available.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method bridge an isolated network such as a virtual network to an external network such as another virtual network or physical network by utilizing a network adapter on the other network that is assigned the same Media Access Control (MAC) address as an isolated network adapter on the isolated network.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for processing virtual interrupts in a logically partitioned system are provided. An intelligent virtual global interrupt queue (virtual GIQ) that may be associated with a plurality of virtual processors running in a logical partition may be utilized. Upon receiving a virtual interrupt, the virtual GIQ may examine the operating states of the associated virtual processors. In an effort to ensure the virtual interrupt is processed as quickly as possible, the virtual GIQ may present the virtual interrupt to one of the associated virtual processors determined to be in an operating state best suited for processing the virtual interrupt.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method bridge an isolated network such as a virtual network to an external network such as another virtual network or physical network by utilizing a network adapter on the other network that is assigned the same Media Access Control (MAC) address as an isolated network adapter on the isolated network.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for processing virtual interrupts in a logically partitioned system are provided. An intelligent virtual global interrupt queue (virtual GIQ) that may be associated with a plurality of virtual processors running in a logical partition may be utilized. Upon receiving a virtual interrupt, the virtual GIQ may examine the operating states of the associated virtual processors. In an effort to ensure the virtual interrupt is processed as quickly as possible, the virtual GIQ may present the virtual interrupt to one of the associated virtual processors determined to be in an operating state best suited for processing the virtual interrupt.