Communication options for logical partitions

Virtual Ethernet enables you to establish communication via TCP/IP between logical partitions. For each of the 16 ports enabled, the system will create a virtual Ethernet communications port, such as CMNxx with a resource type of 268C. Logical partitions assigned to the same virtual Ethernet then become available to communicate through that link. A physical system allows you to configure up to 16 different virtual local area networks. Virtual ethernet provides the same function as using a 1Gb Ethernet adapter. Token Ring or Ethernet 10Mbps and 100Mbps local area networks are not supported with virtual Ethernet. Virtual Ethernet requires V5R1 and later releases and can be used without any additional hardware or software.

For a scenario illustrating how you can set up Virtual Ethernet on your server, see Create a Virtual Ethernet for interpartition communications.

High-Speed link (HSL) OptiConnect provides high speed system-to-system communication for PCI-based models. It requires standard HSL cables, but no additional hardware is required. To use HSL OptiConnect, you need to purchase OptiConnect for i5/OS™ software (a priced optional feature). The OptiConnect software will choose the Virtual OptiConnect path over a HSL or SPD OptiConnect external path if multiple paths are available.

You may enable HSL OptiConnect to other systems at any time for any partition within the system. But, you must install OptiConnect for i5/OS software before this feature can be used. When you enable or disable HSL OptiConnect, the changes take effect immediately.

Virtual OptiConnect emulates external OptiConnect hardware by providing a virtual bus between logical partitions. You can use virtual OptiConnect without any additional hardware requirements. To use virtual OptiConnect, you only need to purchase OptiConnect for i5/OS (a priced optional feature).

The OptiConnect software will choose the virtual OptiConnect path over a HSL or SPD OptiConnect external path if multiple paths are available.

You may enable Virtual OptiConnect for a logical partition at any time. But, you must install OptiConnect for i5/OS software before this feature can be used. When you enable or disable Virtual OptiConnect, the changes take effect immediately.

SPD OptiConnect is a combination of hardware and software that allows you to connect multiple high-end iSeries™ servers through a high-speed, fiber-optic bus. This combination of optical bus speeds and efficient software makes OptiConnect a viable solution, providing multiple routes to the database. You can run both APPC or TCP/IP communications protocols over OptiConnect. TCP/IP support was added to OptiConnect beginning with OS/400^® or i5/OS V4R4.

In order to use OptiConnect, you must purchase the hardware and OptiConnect for i5/OS (a priced feature).

For each logical partition that participates in external OptiConnect, you need a dedicated bus. You can not assign this bus as shared.

For more information about OptiConnect, see OptiConnect for OS/400.

Back to hardware for logical partitions.