Introduction to IBM PowerVM

Virtualization plays an important role in resource efficiency by optimizing performance, reducing costs, and improving business continuity. IBM PowerVM® provides a secure and scalable server virtualization environment for IBM AIX®, IBM® i, and Linux applications. PowerVM is built on the advanced reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) features and leading performance of IBM Power servers. This IBM Redbooks® publication introduces PowerVM virtualization technologies on Power servers. This publication targets clients who are new to Power servers and introduces the available capabilities of the PowerVM platform. This publication includes the following chapters: Chapter 1, "IBM PowerVM overview" introduces PowerVM and provides a high-level overview of the capabilities and benefits of the platform. Chapter 2, "IBM PowerVM features in details" provides a more in-depth review of PowerVM capabilities for system administrators and architects to familiarize themselves with its features. Chapter 3, "Planning for IBM PowerVM" provides planning guidance about PowerVM to prepare for the implementation of the solution. Chapter 4, "Implementing IBM PowerVM" describes and details configuration steps to implement PowerVM, starting from implementing the Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) to storage and network I/O virtualization configurations. Chapter 5, "Managing the PowerVM environment" focuses on systems management, day-to-day operations, monitoring, and maintenance. Chapter 6, "Automation on IBM Power servers" explains available techniques, utilities, and benefits of modern automation solutions.