Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for dynamically reconfiguring partitions of a partitioned computer system are provided. Here, dynamically reconfiguring a partition is defined as being able to reconfigure the partition while the partition is operational. Using a graphical user interface (GUI), a user may indicate a plurality of resources that are to be involved in a partition reconfiguration. However, the partition is actually reconfigured one resource at a time. If one of the resources is memory, then memory is allocated to the partition or de-allocated from the partition one logical memory block (LMB) at a time. In reconfiguring partitions, resources may be removed, added or moved from one partition to another. Moving resources from one partition to another entails removing the resources from one partition and adding it to the other partition. After a partition re-configuration, a resource allocation table is updated. All this is done transparently to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for providing addresses to clients. A request is received from a client for an address. A determination is made as to whether authentication information is present in the request. A verification process is performed using the authentication information if the authentication information is presenting the request. A determination is made as to whether the authentication information is authenticated. A privileged address is provided to the client in response to the authentication information being authenticated.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to allow a user to update a computer system without having to interact with an initialization, or configurator software utility, or program. More particularly, the present invention allows a system provider, manufacturer, or service provider to create an installation file that, when provided to a user, will configure a system to accommodate newly added/removed hardware automatically. A base model and a new model of the system are maintained. The new model will include one or more different configurations, such as new graphics adapters, communications adapters, I/O controllers, or the like. The provider will have created a recovery/install image to be used with the base model. An operating system including a configurator program will be running on both the base model system and new model system. Software, such as device drivers, to be used with the new model's changed hardware configuration is installed on the new model system and initialized using its configurator program.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for managing an application's persistent data across multiple different release versions of the application. A format for a memory area is defined wherein the persistent data will be stored according to a first release version of the application. The format is organized to permit the application running at different release versions to access the memory area. The memory area is accessed using the application that is running at a second release version. The memory area is divided into individually accessible sections. The format includes a template file for each section for each release version.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for improving performance and scalability of common information model object (CIMOM) by using a hardware management console (HMC) repository. The HMC repository includes storage of HMC objects, an HMC object model and a common interface (CIM Wrapper) for accessing to HMC objects. The HMC object model allows the user to store and retrieve the CIM objects and their associations efficiently. A CIM provider may access HMC objects through a common interface (CIM Wrapper), so that different repositories are allowed to be used without significant changes to the underlying server code (CIM provider). A CIM provider may also call the HMC repository directly for more efficient operations because the number of times conversions made between the CIM object and the repository object are greatly decreased.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for recovering an image of partition configuration information data for a set of partitions having at least one affinity partition in a logical partition data processing system. (Damage to an image of partition configuration data is detected. Current partition data is compared with a backup partition data. A merger of the current partition configuration data is made with the backup logical partition data if a conflict is present between the current partition configuration data and the backup partition data. The merger is performed in a manner avoiding stopping an operation on a running partition in the set of partitions.

Abstract: A logical partition (LPAR) computer system for managing partition configuration data is disclosed, which includes a nonvolatile memory, and a plurality of logical partitions, each running independently from the other logical partitions. The system also includes a console coupled to the computer system for accepting logical partition configuration data input by an operator. The configuration data entered by the operator specifies the processors, I/O, and memory allocated to each logical partition defined for the system. The system further includes a set of tables maintained in the nonvolatile memory for storing the logical partition configuration data, such that the logical partition configuration data is persistent across system power cycles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for managing a set of objects for a plurality of terminals. The set of objects are stored in a memory, such as a nonvolatile random access memory in a data processing system. The set of objects are used to configure logical partitions within the data processing system. Access to the set of objects is provided to the plurality of terminals through a service processor.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computer system having a plurality of logical partitions with a virtual terminal is disclosed. The computer system is coupled to an external display device through a single communications interface. The method and system include allowing the logical partitions to share the communications interface by multiplexing communications to the display device for each of the logical partitions over the communication interface. Windows are displayed on the display device for each of the logical partitions, and the communications from each of the logical partitions is then routed to the corresponding window for display on the display device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for providing a plurality of terminals access to a service processor located within the data processing system. A first indication is returned if the service processor is unlocked in response to receiving a request from a terminal to provide a terminal within the plurality of terminals sole access to access the service processor. The service processor is locked to provide the terminal sole access to service processor in response to receiving a request to provide a terminal sole access to access the service processor. In response to receiving a request to provide a terminal sole access to access the service processor, a second indication is returned if the service processor is locked.

Abstract: A method, system, and product are described for creating and managing affinity between memory and processors in logical partitions in a data processing system. The data processing system includes multiple processors. A memory affinity data structure is established. The memory affinity data structure identifies ones of the processors that have a close affinity with each one of multiple regions of the system memory. A memory affinity parameter is established and is utilized to determine whether memory affinity is required for each one of the logical partitions. In response to a determination that memory affinity is required for one of the logical partitions, the memory affinity data structure is utilized by a partition manager for the logical partition to allocate an optimal amount of memory that has a close affinity to ones of the processors that are assigned to the logical partition.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a timed power-on of logical partitions in a logical partition computer system is disclosed. An operator is allowed to enter a timed power-on value (TPO) value representing a time to boot one or more of the logical partitions. The TPO value for each of the logical partitions is then stored in nonvolatile memory. The system time is then periodically compared with each of the TPO values, and the corresponding partition is booted when the system time is greater than or equal to the TPO value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for recovering an image of partition configuration information data for a set of partitions having at least one affinity partition in a logical partition data processing system. (Damage to an image of partition configuration data is detected. Current partition data is compared with a backup partition data. A merger of the current partition configuration data is made with the backup logical partition data if a conflict is present between the current partition configuration data and the backup partition data. The merger is performed in a manner avoiding stopping an operation on a running partition in the set of partitions.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to allow a user to update a computer system without having to interact with an initialization, or configurator software utility, or program. More particularly, the present invention allows a system provider, manufacturer, or service provider to create an installation file that, when provided to a user, will configure a system to accommodate newly added/removed hardware automatically. A base model and a new model of the system are maintained. The new model will include one or more different configurations, such as new graphics adapters, communications adapters, I/O controllers, or the like. The provider will have created a recovery/install image to be used with the base model. An operating system including a configurator program will be running on both the base model system and new model system. Software, such as device drivers, to be used with the new model's changed hardware configuration is installed on the new model system and initialized using its configurator program.

Abstract: A method, system, and product are described for creating and managing affinity between memory and processors in logical partitions in a data processing system. The data processing system includes multiple processors. A memory affinity data structure is established. The memory affinity data structure identifies ones of the processors that have a close affinity with each one of multiple regions of the system memory. A memory affinity parameter is established and is utilized to determine whether memory affinity is required for each one of the logical partitions. In response to a determination that memory affinity is required for one of the logical partitions, the memory affinity data structure is utilized by a partition manager for the logical partition to allocate an optimal amount of memory that has a close affinity to ones of the processors that are assigned to the logical partition.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for dynamically reconfiguring partitions of a partitioned computer system are provided. Here, dynamically reconfiguring a partition is defined as being able to reconfigure the partition while the partition is operational. Using a graphical user interface (GUI), a user may indicate a plurality of resources that are to be involved in a partition reconfiguration. However, the partition is actually reconfigured one resource at a time. If one of the resources is memory, then memory is allocated to the partition or de-allocated from the partition one logical memory block (LMB) at a time. In reconfiguring partitions, resources may be removed, added or moved from one partition to another. Moving resources from one partition to another entails removing the resources from one partition and adding it to the other partition. After a partition re-configuration, a resource allocation table is updated. All this is done transparently to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a timed power-on of logical partitions in a logical partition computer system is disclosed. An operator is allowed to enter a timed power-on value (TPO) value representing a time to boot one or more of the logical partitions. The TPO value for each of the logical partitions is then stored in nonvolatile memory. The system time is then periodically compared with each of the TPO values, and the corresponding partition is booted when the system time is greater than or equal to the TPO value.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for providing a plurality of terminals access to a service processor located within the data processing system. A first indication is returned if the service processor is unlocked in response to receiving a request from a terminal to provide a terminal within the plurality of terminals sole access to access the service processor. The service processor is locked to provide the terminal sole access to service processor in response to receiving a request to provide a terminal sole access to access the service processor. In response to receiving a request to provide a terminal sole access to access the service processor, a second indication is returned if the service processor is locked.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computer system having a plurality of logical partitions with a virtual terminal is disclosed. The computer system is coupled to an external display device through a single communications interface. The method and system include allowing the logical partitions to share the communications interface by multiplexing communications to the display device for each of the logical partitions over the communication interface. Windows are displayed on the display device for each of the logical partitions, and the communications from each of the logical partitions is then routed to the corresponding window for display on the display device.

Abstract: A logical partition (LPAR) computer system for managing partition configuration data is disclosed, which includes a nonvolatile memory, and a plurality of logical partitions, each running independently from the other logical partitions. The system also includes a console coupled to the computer system for accepting logical partition configuration data input by an operator. The configuration data entered by the operator specifies the processors, I/O, and memory allocated to each logical partition defined for the system. The system further includes a set of tables maintained in the nonvolatile memory for storing the logical partition configuration data, such that the logical partition configuration data is persistent across system power cycles.