Virtual LAN Configuration between LPAR Systems

Resolving The Problem

In R510 and above, we allow gigabit virtual Ethernet. This was introduced so the operating system LPAR can communicate with Linux LPARs. Therefore, rather than using virtual OptiConnect for IP (*OPC), one can choose to use virtual LAN.

Note: This configuration method is supported on HMC managed system.

To configure Virtual LAN you must go in the System Service Tools and select Option 5 for Working with Partitions.



On the Work with System Partitions screen, select Option 3 to work with Partition Configuration.



On the Work with Partition Configuration screen, press F10 to work with Virtual LAN configurations.

Note: If your user does not have the option F10 to Change Virtual Lan Configurations, they should
have Option 2 to Change Host Partition. Once they have selected Option 2, they should be able to
Enable Virtual Ethernet Identifiers on this screen.



On the Work with Virtual LAN Configuration screen, press F9 to Show all Partitions.



On the Work with Virtual LAN Configuration screen, we have the option of allowing 16 internal gigabit virtual LANs between LPAR configurations.

To enable the virtual LAN, select Option 2 to make a change on an LPAR.



On the Change Virtual LAN Configuration screen, you can select 1 to enable or 2 to disable any virtual LANs from 0 through 15.



Note: For Logical Partitions to communicate with one another using virtual LAN, the same port pairs must be enabled. The screen shot above serves as an example of how the configuration would appear with Port 0 enabled for the Primary and Secondary partitions.



After virtual LAN is enabled, the system resource shows a feature code of F/C268C for the virtual LAN. The user can utilize this resource to create an actual Ethernet line description like an F/C2838. However, the Linespeed must be set to 1 gigabit and full duplex must be specified.

After the lines on both partitions are created, a TCP/IP interface must be added. The user should also ensure that both partitions are on the same subnet so they can communicate properly.

Note: The TCP/IP interfaces for the virtual LAN should not be on the same subnet as the physical Ethernet TCP/IP interface.

For creating Virtual LAN using HMC, refer to Rochester Support Center knowledgebase document New, Adding a Virtual Ethernet (F/C268C) on HMC. To link to document New immediately, click here .