Edit: Some links no longer work.
Originally posted October 8, 2013 on AIXchange
Today’s announcements have quite a bit of interesting information, but two new products that I’m especially excited about are PowerVP and PowerVC.
PowerVP uses a graphical Java client to monitor virtual workloads, which of course can be much more complex than the workloads we once managed on standalone systems. With virtualized systems, performance issues can come from physical hardware, the VIO server, the client LPAR or something outside of the frame entirely.
Once you install an agent on the supported version of your operating system and update your POWER7 or POWER7+ systems to the proper level of firmware, you’ll have the option of viewing system performance in real time or in DVR mode. The latter allows you to read log files to determine how your system was performing earlier. Data is collected on the Windows, AIX or Linux workstation on which the PowerVP monitor runs.
PowerVP allows you to drill down and view specific memory DIMM or CPU usage. You can also see the hardware adapters you’re using and how heavily these components are being utilized. In short, PowerVP provides an overall view of your hardware so you can see how your machines are consuming resources. GA is expected on Nov. 15.
PowerVC is advanced virtualization management. I think of it as a simplified version of the VMcontrol plugin for System Director. This product is based on OpenStack, an open source solution that provides cloud infrastructure capability. IBM wanted to make PowerVC simple to install, simple to configure and simple to use. On a recent briefing call, IBM said it brought customers to its labs and recorded them using the product. These sessions indicated that PowerVC requires minimal training and is very intuitive and self-explanatory.
This video shows a prototype of the code from June 2013. Additional information can be found here and here. PowerVC GA is expected on Nov. 22.
Other announcement highlights include:
* The Power Integrated Facility for Linux — Power IFL is a new solution that allows customers to activate unused cores and memory to run Linux workloads on IBM Power hardware at a very competitive price point. In practice, customers will run these Linux cores in virtual shared processor pools that are separate from their existing AIX or IBM i shared processor pools.
* PowerSC is updated with Linux compliance automation and improvements in the trusted firewall.
* The new PowerVM version features shared storage pool enhancements and improved live partition mobility performance. In addition, new information in the VIOS Performance Advisor tool is going to be available to cover fibre channel, shared Ethernet adapters and shared storage pools.
* New Power Enterprise pools are designed to allow for flexibility for IBM clients. Customers will be able to purchase virtual processors and memory (CUoD resources) that may be shared within a defined pool of enterprise-class Power servers. Applications may be reallocated within that pool of servers as needed with live partition mobility.
* AIX 7.1 TL3 and 6.1 TL9 feature enhanced live backup support and provide better LDAP support for users and groups.
As you learn more about these announcements, what stands out to you?
Finally, more highlights from Twitter (@robmcnelly):
RT @cgibbo RT @Fed67j: A new #hmcScanner version is available with graph: http://ibm.co/1489RC8
@mr_nmon Demo’s are so 1990s! I captured everything I know on #SystemsDirector in YouTube videos=4 hours/14 parts: https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/blogs/aixpert/entry/systems_director_6_3_demonstrations?lang=en … #POWER7
RT @cgibbo RT @mohakevin: #AIX – LVM #cheatsheet http://adri.ws/jdwq4
RT @brian_smi Script to show if your #AIX HBA / hdisk settings are actually in effect
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/blogs/brian/entry/compare_hba_settings …
@sandy_carter Wow! Blogs are 63% more likely to influence purchase decisions than magazines. (Source: Optimind) #socbiz @PamMktgNut #ibmsocialbiz
@IBMRedbooks Watch our new IBM Power 710 and 730 Technical Overview and Introduction video here: http://youtu.be/Jq565b_2fks #PowerSystems
@AIXmag VIDEO: @robmcnelly demonstrates how to create sysplans from the HMC & run the system-planning tool on your PC. #AIX
RT @Greater_IBM 5 Ways To Become An #IBM Champion (Oct 15 Deadline): http://wp.me/p2kcos-2wm #ibmchampion #developerworks #ITLeader