Dynamically managing processing power on Linux

Learn how to dynamically move processors from one running logical partition to another using the HMC. Processing power can be moved based on the desired, minimum, and maximum values that you created for the profile.

Linux® distributions Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 4 or SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 or later are required in order to dynamically move processing power to or from a Linux logical partition.

The ability to move processor power dynamically becomes important when you need to adjust to changing workloads. The desired processing value you establish is the amount of processing resources that you get if you do not overcommit the processing power. The minimum and maximum values enable you to establish a range within which you can dynamically move the processors.

Note: If resources are moved dynamically, the configuration change is temporary and is not reflected in the partition profile. This means that all configuration changes will be lost the next time the partition profile is activated. If you wish to save your new partition configuration, you should modify the partition profile. For more information on changing the partition profile properties, see Changing partition profile properties using version 6 or earlier of the HMC.

To add processor resources dynamically to a running logical partition, follow these steps:

  1. In the navigation area, open Server and Partition.
  2. Select Server Management.
  3. In the contents area, open the server on which the logical partitions are located.
  4. Open Partitions.
  5. Right-click the logical partition that is currently using the processor resources that you want to add, and select Dynamic Logical Partitioning > Processor Resources > Add.
  6. Specify the amount of processor resources you want to add. If the logical partition uses processors from the shared processor pool, you can change the logical partition's sharing mode, uncapped weight, and number of virtual processors.
  7. Click Advanced and adjust the settings there. You might need to increase the value in the Timeout setting field to allow enough time for the HMC to complete the operation. (These settings relate to how the managed system adds the processor resources dynamically. These settings are not retained after the addition is completed.)
  8. Click OK.

Remove processor resources dynamically

To remove processor resources dynamically from a running logical partition, follow these steps:
  1. In the navigation area, open Server and Partition.
  2. Select Server Management.
  3. In the contents area, open the server on which the logical partitions are located.
  4. Open Partitions.
  5. Right-click the logical partition that is currently using the processor resources that you want to move, and select Dynamic Logical Partitioning > Processor Resources > Remove.
  6. Specify the amount of processor resources you want to remove. If the logical partition uses processors from the shared processing pool, you can change the logical partition's sharing mode, uncapped weight, and number of virtual processors.
  7. Click Advanced and adjust the settings there. You might need to increase the value in the Timeout setting field to allow enough time for the HMC to complete the operation. (These settings relate to how the managed system removes the processor resources dynamically. These settings are not retained after the removal is completed.)
  8. Click OK.

Move processors from one running logical partition to another

To move processors from one running logical partition to another using the HMC, follow these steps:
  1. In the navigation area, open Server and Partition.
  2. Select Server Management.
  3. In the contents area, open the server on which the logical partitions are located.
  4. Open Partitions.
  5. Right-click the logical partition that is currently using the processor resources that you want to move, and select Dynamic Logical Partitioning > Processor Resources > Move.
  6. Specify the amount of processor resources that you want to move and the logical partition to which you want to move the processor resources. If either logical partition uses processing resources from the shared processor pool, you can change the sharing mode, uncapped weight, and number of virtual processors for the logical partition.
  7. Click Advanced and adjust the settings there. You might need to increase the value in the Timeout setting field to allow enough time for the HMC to complete the operation. (These settings relate to how the managed system moves the processor resources dynamically. These settings are not retained after the move is completed.)
  8. Click OK.