Abstract: A logically-partitioned computer system provides support for multiple logical partitions to access a single file system, thereby allowing the logical partitions to share a file without the overhead of communicating over a VLAN. An area of shared memory is defined that multiple logical partitions may access. One or more file control blocks that control access to the files in the file system are then created in the shared memory. Existing mechanisms for locking a file system between processes may then be used across logical partitions to serialize access to the file system by all processes in all logical partitions that share the file system. In this manner the sharing of files in a file system is enabled by leveraging existing technology that is used within a single logical partition to extend across multiple logical partitions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, receive a command that requests a name of a boot image and a network address of a boot server that contains the boot image, invoke a plug-in to determine the name of the boot image and the network address of the boot server based on an address of a client that sent the command, and send the name of the boot image and the network address of the boot server to a client that sent the command. In various embodiments, the address of the client may be a network address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address. The client retrieves the boot image via the name and the network address of the boot server, and the boot image initializes the client when executed at the client. In various embodiments, the name of the boot image or the network address of the boot server are changed to second names or addresses and sent to the client in response to another command.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, start a boot loader executing in a computer system, where the boot loader receives a load image from a server and stores the load image in volatile memory. The load image determines a detected inventory of the computer system via an I/O processor, and the boot loader and load image execute absent an operating system and without writing information to a non-volatile storage device. The load image sends the detected inventory to a network deposit location. A determination is made whether the detected inventory matches an expected inventory, and the difference between the detected inventory and an expected inventory is found. In this way, in an embodiment, the inventory of a computer may be determined without an operating system and without writing any information to non-volatile storage.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing self-modeling of computer systems componentry. Each computer system component includes a scalable vector graphic (SVG). The SVG provides a graphical representation for the respective computer system component. The SVGs are collected and a visual representation of the computer system is generated.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for installing multiple, heterogeneous operating systems is provided. A network install manager is used to process network requests for various different operating system installs. The network install manager may be configured to provide an install kernel for a variety of operating systems to partitions defined for a logically partitioned system.

Abstract: A partition wizard allows automatically defining from a set of system requirements a solution profile that defines a combination of hardware and software in multiple logical partitions to satisfy the performance objectives. The solution profile may be used by an order processing system to automatically generate an order for a target computer system. The solution profile may also be used by a hardware management console to automatically create logical partitions on the target computer system, then may be used by an operating system install engine to automatically install a desired operating system in each of the logical partitions on the target computer system and to automatically install desired software into each of the logical partitions in the target computer system. The solution profile may also be used to manage the target computer system.

Abstract: A logically-partitioned computer system provides support for multiple logical partitions to access a single file system, thereby allowing the logical partitions to share a file without the overhead of communicating over a VLAN. An area of shared memory is defined that multiple logical partitions may access. One or more file control blocks that control access to the files in the file system are then created in the shared memory. Existing mechanisms for locking a file system between processes may then be used across logical partitions to serialize access to the file system by all processes in all logical partitions that share the file system. In this manner the sharing of files in a file system is enabled by leveraging existing technology that is used within a single logical partition to extend across multiple logical partitions.