i5/OS logical partition function by release

The capabilities available in i5/OS™ logical partitions vary with each operating system release.

When you install multiple releases on a single server, the release on the primary partition determines the base logical partitioning functionality available on that server. For example, if you install V4R5 on the primary partition of a server, you are not able to use shared processors on that server, because V4R5 does not support shared processors. This is the case even if shared processors are supported on that server model and you install V5R1 (which supports shared processors) on multiple secondary partitions.

Also, installing an earlier release on a secondary partition limits the logical partitioning functionality available to that secondary partition. For example, if you install V4R5 on a secondary partition, the secondary partition is not able to use shared processors. This is the case even if you have installed V5R1 on the primary partition and on other secondary partitions. (The primary partition and the secondary partitions on which you have installed V5R1 can still use shared processors, even if you have installed V4R5 on another secondary partition.)

Use the following table to determine the logical partition function by release.

Software Function	V4R4	V4R5	V5R1 and V5R2	V5R3 and later
Maximum Partitions	12 or the number of processors on the system, whichever is less.	12 for 6xx, 7xx, Sx0 models; 24 for 820, 830, and 840 models; or the number of processors on the system, whichever is less.	12 for 6xx, 7xx, Sx0 models; 32 for 270, 810, 820, 825, 830, 840, 870, and 890 models. (The maximum number of partitions supported depends on the number of processors in the server model. 810, 825, 870, and 890 models only support V5R2 or later.)	12 for 7xx models. 32 for 810, 820, 825, 830, 840, 870, and 890 models. (The maximum number of partitions supported depends on the number of processors in the server model.)
Processors	Static: requires a restart of the partition to change. Dedicated to a partition.	Static: requires a restart of the partition to change. Dedicated to a partition.	Dynamic: can be changed with a restart of the partition. Can be shared among multiple partitions.	Dynamic: can be changed with a restart of the partition. Can be shared among multiple partitions.
Memory	Static: requires a restart of the partition to change.	Static: requires a restart of the partition to change.	Dynamic: can be changed without a restart of the partition.	Dynamic: can be changed without a restart of the partition.
Interactive	Static: requires a restart of the partition to change.	Static: requires a restart of the partition to change.	Dynamic: can be changed without a restart of the partition.	Dynamic: can be changed without a restart of the partition.
Virtual OptiConnect	Static: requires a restart of the entire system to change. Single network.	Static: requires a restart of the entire system to change. Single network.	Dynamic: can be changed without a restart of the partition. Single network.	Dynamic: can be changed without a restart of the partition. Single network.
Virtual Ethernet	Not supported.	Not supported.	Dynamic: can be changed without a restart of the partition. Up to 16 networks.	Dynamic: can be changed without a restart of the partition. Up to 16 networks.
HSL OptiConnect	Not supported.	Not supported.	Dynamic: can be changed without a restart of the partition. Can be shared among multiple partitions. Single network.	Dynamic: can be changed without a restart of the partition. Can be shared among multiple partitions. Single network.
I/O	Allocated at bus-level or IOP-level. IOP can be switched among partitions dynamically. Bus ownership or bus usage (shared or dedicated) changes require a restart of the whole system.	Allocated at bus-level or IOP-level. IOP can be switched among partitions dynamically. Bus ownership or bus usage (shared or dedicated) changes require a restart of the whole system.	Allocated at bus-level or IOP-level. IOP can be switched among partitions dynamically. Bus ownership or bus usage (shared or dedicated) changes occur dynamically.	Allocated at bus-level or IOP-level. IOP can be switched among partitions dynamically. Bus ownership or bus usage (shared or dedicated) changes occur dynamically.
Guest Partition	Not supported.	Not supported.	Linux^®.	Linux.

When you have determined the software capabilities, ensure that the particular hardware model supports all of the required logical partition capabilities. Additional details are located in Evaluate the hardware limitation of the iSeries™.