Direct mode

With an adapter in direct mode, you can define one physical function of type direct (NETD PF) and multiple virtual functions (NETD VFs) per PCHID. Direct mode applies to the entire adapter. Therefore, you cannot define NETH PCI functions or OSH devices on either PCHID of that adapter.

First, define the PF and virtual functions (VFs) in the hardware configuration by using IOCDS or DPM, and assign them to LPARs. In DPM mode, a PCHID can be assigned to only one partition. Afterward, create the VFs in Linux from the PF.

Each VF can be assigned to a different guest or LPAR and has an independent configuration.

NETD supports up to 127 VFs.

You must use the opticsmon service for NETD operation, see Using the opticsmon service.

NETD considerations

NETD functions have all the capabilities of NETH functions, with the following exceptions:

• Promiscuous mode cannot be defined via DPM panels or FIDPARM. This needs to be done via the PF.
• You cannot define default MAC addresses or VLAN access ports in DPM panels. This needs to be done via the PF.
• You cannot attach a NETD PF to a z/VM guest.

Using NETD with z/VM and KVM

You can attach a NETD pass-through VF to a z/VM guest, but you cannot assign a PF directly to z/VM. In a KVM environment, you assign the PF (for switchdev mode and offloads) to the host and dedicate VFs to guests.