Restarting and shutting down IBM i in a logical partition

At times you will need to perform an initial program load (IPL) or shut down an IBM® i logical partition. For example, if you want to apply a delayed fix to IBM i, you must perform an IPL before IBM i can apply the fix.

The preferred method for restarting and shutting down IBM i logical partitions is through the IBM i command line. The Hardware Management Console (HMC) does not shut down the IBM i operating system before it shuts down the logical partition. Using the HMC to restart or shut down an IBM i logical partition can result in an abnormal IPL and the loss of data. However, you might need to use the HMC to change the operating mode or IPL type of the IBM i logical partition before you restart or shut down the IBM i logical partition using the IBM i command line.

It is important to remember that, when you perform an IPL of an IBM i logical partition, you are powering off only the logical partition and not the entire managed system. Other logical partitions on your managed system continue to run when you perform an IPL on the IBM i logical partition. However, when you shut down the last logical partition that is running on a managed system, then the managed system is set to power off automatically by default. If you want, you can set the managed system properties on the HMC so that the managed system remains powered on when you shut down the last running logical partition.