Configuring a virtual Ethernet adapter
You can configure a virtual Ethernet adapter dynamically for a running logical partition by using the Hardware Management Console (HMC). Doing so will connect the logical partition to a virtual LAN (VLAN).
Before you begin
- A Linux distribution that supports dynamic partitioning is installed on the Linux logical partition. Distributions that support dynamic partitioning include SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 and later versions.
- The DynamicRM tool package is installed on the Linux logical partition. To download the DynamicRM tool package, see the Service and productivity tools for Linux on POWER® systems website.
About this task
For more information about managing virtual network connections on a logical partition when the HMC is at version 8.7.0, or later, see Managing virtual network connections.
Note: In the AIX® operating system, the receive buffers
pools of the Virtual Ethernet increases in size and shrinks. When the load increases, the receive
buffers pools increases by several buffers. The buffer pools can increase in size until the maximum
value is reached (defined by the buf_mode attribute). When the load decreases,
the receive buffers pools shrink to the minimum value (defined by the buf_mode
attribute). The buf_mode attribute has the following possible values:
- min - Allocate the minimum buffer values. Increase as required and shrink back to min values.
- max - Allocate the maximum buffer values. Shrink is disabled. Fail the device open operation if the maximum values cannot be allocated.
- max_min - Attempt the maximum mode. If the maximum values cannot be allocated, then fall back to minimum mode.