Linux support on iSeries servers

To successfully partition an iSeries™ to run Linux, the server requires specific hardware and software.

The primary partition must run i5/OS® V5R1 or later versions and be updated with the latest PTFs. The latest Linux-related i5/OS PTFs can be found on Linux for iSeries Link outside Information Center.


Example of an iSeries with guest partitions.

(Pre-V5R3 diagram) Linux is not supported on a primary partition. Additional information on software function can be found at i5/OS logical partition function by release.

For information on Linux support for eServer™ 5800 servers, refer to Partitioning the server.

Selected models can run Linux in the shared processor pool configuration. When using shared processors, one processor can be shared among up to 10 i5/OS and Linux partitions. Other models require the use of dedicated processors for a Linux partition. Those same models also require you to disable processor multitasking for the whole server, including the primary partition. See Debug the processor multitasking error for more information.

The Linux operating system supports single processors or multiple processors. This choice is made at the time the logical partition is created. If a Linux kernel built for a single processor is loaded into a partition with multiple processors assigned to it, it will function correctly, but only one processor will be used. If multiple processors are assigned to a partition, Linux built for Symmetric MultiProcessors (SMP) should be used. Any number of available processors may be assigned to a logical partition. The following tables helps you determine if your server supports Linux in a logical partition.

Table 1. Model 270
Feature code Number of processors Supported LPAR Supports Linux Linux shared processor Disable processor multitasking
2248 1 No No No No
2250 1 No No No No
2252 1 No No No No
2253 2 No No No No
2422 1 No No No No
2423 1 No No No No
2424 2 No No No No
2431 1 Yes Yes Yes No
2432 1 Yes Yes Yes No
2434 2 Yes Yes Yes No
2452 1 Yes Yes Yes No
2454 2 Yes Yes Yes No
Table 2. Model 800
Feature code Number of processors Support LPAR Support Linux Linux shared processor Disable processor multitasking
  1 Yes Yes Yes No
Table 3. Model 810
Feature code Number of processors Support LPAR Support Linux Linux shared processor Disable processor multitasking
  1 Yes Yes Yes No
  2 Yes Yes Yes No
Table 4. Model 820
Feature code Number of processors Support LPAR Support Linux Linux shared processor Disable processor multitasking
2395 1 Yes No No No
2396 1 Yes No No No
2397 2 Yes Yes Yes Yes
2398 4 Yes Yes Yes Yes
2425 1 Yes No No No
2426 2 Yes Yes No Yes
2427 4 Yes Yes No Yes
0150 1 Yes Yes Yes No
0151 2 Yes Yes Yes No
0152 4 Yes Yes Yes No
2435 1 Yes Yes Yes No
2436 1 Yes Yes Yes No
2437 2 Yes Yes Yes No
2438 4 Yes Yes Yes No
2456 1 Yes Yes Yes No
2457 2 Yes Yes Yes No
2458 4 Yes Yes Yes No
Table 5. Model 825
Feature code Number of processors Support LPAR Support Linux Linux shared processor Disable processor multitasking
  3 Yes Yes Yes Yes
  4 Yes Yes Yes Yes
  5 Yes Yes Yes Yes
  6 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Table 6. Model 830
Feature code Number of processors Supports LPAR Supports Linux Linux shared processor Disable processor multitasking
2400 4 Yes Yes No Yes
2402 4 Yes Yes No Yes
2403 8 Yes Yes No Yes
2351 4/8 Yes Yes No Yes
0153 4/8 Yes Yes No Yes
Table 7. Model 840
Feature code Number of processors Supports LPAR Supports Linux Linux shared processor Disable processor multitasking
2418 12 Yes Yes No Yes
2420 24 Yes Yes No Yes
2416 8/12 Yes Yes No Yes
2417 12/18 Yes Yes No Yes
2419 12/18 Yes Yes No Yes
2461 24 Yes Yes Yes No
2352 8/12 Yes Yes Yes No
2353 12/18 Yes Yes Yes No
2354 18/24 Yes Yes Yes No
0158 12 Yes Yes Yes No
0159 24 Yes Yes Yes No
Table 8. Model 870
Feature code Number of processors Support LPAR Support Linux Linux shared processor Disable processor multitasking
  8/16 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Table 9. Model 890
Feature code Number of processors Supports LPAR Supports Linux Linux shared processor Disable processor multitasking
0197 24 Yes Yes Yes Yes
0198 32 Yes Yes Yes Yes
2487 16/24 Yes Yes Yes Yes
2488 24/32 Yes Yes Yes Yes

Contact your IBM® marketing representative or IBM Business Partner for more information on upgrading existing feature codes on your server.

Refer to Linux for iSeries Link outside Information Center (www.ibm.com/eserver/iseries/linux) for the latest updates to Linux running on an iSeries server.