Getting To Know Npartitions; Partitioning Continuum; Cell Structure Of Npartitions - HP Rx2620-2 - Integrity - 0 MB RAM Manual

Getting to know nPartitions

Partitions are physical or logical mechanisms for demarcating operational environments within
a single system or across multiple systems. Partitioning lets you consolidate systems, allocate
computing resources in response to fluctuations in demand, maximize resource use, and protect
operating environments from disruptive events.

Partitioning continuum

HP offers a continuum of partitioning technologies, as shown in
Figure 1-2 Partitioning continuum
Node Partition
Virtual Partition
Resource Partition
This document focuses on nPartitions running Microsoft Windows Server 2003.

Cell structure of nPartitions

HP Integrity mid-range and high-end servers (rx7620/rx7640, rx8620/rx8640, and Superdome)
are composed of basic building blocks known as cells or cell boards. A cell consists of up to four
processor modules, contains memory modules (up to 32 DIMMs for Superdome cells, up to 16
DIMMs for rx7260 and rx8620 cells), and can connect to an I/O chassis that has I/O cards. A server
cabinet can have several I/O chassis. Some cell-based servers support I/O expansion cabinets to
provide additional I/O chassis.
12 Introduction
Hard Virtual Partitions
Partitions
within a node
nPartition
nPartition
nPartition
Partitioning
Isolation
Continuum
A node partition (nPartition) is a hard partition within a cell-based
server. Cell-based servers can be configured either as a single large
symmetric multiprocessor or as several independent systems. An
nPartition has exclusive use of the memory, processor, and I/O
resources belonging to the cells that are assigned to that partition
and can execute its own operating system image.
A virtual partition is a soft partition within a node or an nPartition.
A virtual partition uses a subset of the system processor, memory,
and I/O resources, and includes operating system and
application-related software. Windows Server 2003 does not support
virtual partitions.
A resource partition is a soft partition within either hard partitions
or virtual partitions and is controlled by workload management
services within the operating system. Resource partitions enable an
operating system instance to allocate resources between competing
applications. Windows Server 2003 does not support resource partitions.
Figure
Resource
within a hard Partitions
partition within an OS
virtual
application
partition
application
application
virtual
partition
application
Flexibility
1-2.