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 HP-UX 11i Version 2 Release Notes: HP Integrity Servers and HP Workstations > Chapter 4 General System Administration

HP Partitioning
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Partitioning provides the ability to subdivide system resources into isolated regions that operate independently from each other (the equivalent of a box within a box). HP is the only high end UNIX offering to provide a broad range of solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Changes to these solutions are described in the following sub-sections:

HP Process Resource Manager

HP Process Resource Manager (PRM) version C.02.01.01 enables system administrators to guarantee CPU, real memory, and disk bandwidth resources to users and applications on a system.

Summary of Change

PRM now supports VERITAS Volume Manager (VxVM)[2] for disk bandwidth management.

Various PRM utilities now have a wide-column option -w available for better display of group names.

Impact

There are no impacts.

Compatibility

There is a new /etc/rc.config.d/prm file. If you've modified your /etc/rc.config.d/prm file, the new file is placed in /usr/newconfig/etc/rc.config.d/prm.]

Performance

PRM enhances performance by allowing the administrator to isolate applications that might otherwise overuse resources

Documentation

The following manpages have been revised:

  • prmconfig(1)

  • prmlist(1)

  • prmmonitor(1)

  • prmmove(1)

  • prmrun(1)

  • xprm(1)

For further information, go to the PRM Web site at http://www.hp.com/go/prm. See also the Process Resource Manager User's Guide at http://www.docs.hp.com/hpux/ha/#Process%20Resource%20Manager.

Obsolescence

Not applicable.

HP-UX nPartition Configuration Commands

The HP-UX nPartition Configuration Commands are a set of system administration commands to create/modify/remove partitions, control power to cells and I/O chassis, flash/turn off attention LEDs for cells, cabinets and I/O chassis, and display information about a hardware partitionable complex.

The command line interface for nPartition configuration consists of the following commands:

Summary of Change

In HP-UX 11i v1.0, the nPartition configuration commands only support operations on a single hardware complex of a PA-RISC partitionable platform. They will not work on an Itanium-based partitionable platform due to architectural and design changes in the software stack required by the command. In addition, they cannot be used to manage hard partitions on a remote complex (a complex other than the one they run on).

With HP-UX 11i v2, the management scope of the nPartition configuration commands has now been extended to remote partitions and complexes, including support for remote management and cell local memory. The nPartition configuration commands will provide the same partition management functionality on partitionable Itanium-based and PA-RISC hardware platforms and will also allow support of remote management and cell local memory.

For HP-UX 11i v2, the HP-UX nPartition configuration commands have been enhanced to support Itanium-based systems. They have also been enhanced to support the following new features:

  • Set/modify complex attributes:

    • A new nPartition configuration command (cplxmodify)

    • Modifies attributes of the complex of a partitionable system

    • For HP-UX 11i v2, the only modifiable attribute is the complex name (-N option).

  • Remote partition and complex management:

    • nPartition configuration commands have been enhanced to manage remote (non-local) partitions and complexes, with appropriate authorization.

    • New options (-u, -g and -h) have been added to support remote management:

      • The -u command option enables access to a remote partition using a Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM) LAN connection.

      • The -g command option enables access to a remote complex using an Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) over LAN connection. The -g option is valid only on those platforms which support IPMI (hp Integrity Superdome, hp Integrity rx8620, hp Integrity rx7650, hp 9000 rp8420, and hp 9000 rp7420). IPMI is not available on the hp 9000 SuperDome, hp 9000 rp8400, or hp 9000 rp7410.

      • The -h command option should only be used in combination with either the -u or -g option.

      • The arguments to the -u, -g and -h options consist of partition or complex login information (username, passwd, hostname or IP address).

  • Cell local memory (CLM) setting:

    • The parcreate and parmodify commands have been enhanced to allow users to specify/modify for each cell the amount of total cell memory that will be configured as cell local (non-interleaved) memory. The arguments to the -c, -a and -m options have been extended to include the value of cell local memory.

    • The parstatus command has been enhanced to display cell local memory information for individual cells and partitions.

  • Integration with Instant Capacity On Demand (iCOD):

    • Parmodify is fully integrated with iCOD.

  • nPartition Configuration Privilege policy (restricted state) check:

    • nPartition Configuration Privilege can be set to restricted or unrestricted state, using the service processor menu, to prevent a superuser on one partition from affecting the configuration of other partitions, or from performing tasks that affect the complex.

    • The parcreate, parmodify, parremove, cplxmodify, and frupower commands have been enhanced to check for this restricted state. If the state is restricted, a superuser on a partition cannot modify the complex profile (also known as Group A Profile or Complex Configuration Data), including changes that only affect the local partition: cell assignment, CLM parameters. Nor can the superuser modify the cell profile (also known as Group C Profile or Partition Configuration Data) of partitions other than then local partition. Finally, the superuser cannot power on/off resources that are free or not owned.

Impact

  • Itanium and PA-RISC: Starting with HP-UX 11i v2, the nPartition configuration commands will work on both PA-RISC and Itanium-based partitionable platforms.

  • CLM: The user can specify the cell local memory of any cell in the partition.

  • nPartition Configuration Privilege: If set to the restricted state, the following modifications will cause the command to fail:

    • Create/remove partitions

    • Add/delete cells to any partition in the complex.

    • Modify the CLM parameters of any cell in the complex.

    • Modify any attributes of cells that are not assigned to the local partition.

    • Modify the name of the complex or of any partition other than the local partition.

    • Power on/off cells it does not own, including free resources.

Compatibility

There are no compatibility issues.

Performance

The nPartition configuration commands are not performance sensitive. Overall response time depends on WBEM stack elements and network bandwidth.

Documentation

The following manpages have been created or modified:

The existing HP System Partitions Guide is the reference guide. It can be found at http://www.docs.hp.com.

Obsolescence

Not applicable.

HP-UX Processor Sets

The HP-UX Processor Sets allow a multi-processor system to be partitioned into two or more groups of processors (CPU's), so that CPU resources for selected applications or users can be isolated from those of other applications or users. Processor Sets (also known as psets) may be created and reconfigured dynamically by users who have the appropriate privileges. Processor Sets was first shipped as part of the optional Software Pack on HP-UX 11i v1 in October 2001, and is available in the Kernel from HP-UX 11i v1.6 by default. Where Processor Sets is available in HP-UX, it is supported on all multi-processor systems. Processor Sets is a full-functioning stand-alone feature, but psets functionality is also fully supported by and integrated with the optionally available products HP-UX Workload Manager (WLM) and Process Resource Manager (PRM).

The psrset command creates and manages processor sets.

Summary of Change

  • The psrset command has been enhanced to display Locality Domain information. When used with the option -i, or when used without any option, the psrset will display, apart from other details, the Locality Domain information for the processor set.

  • The kernel now supports Real Time Extension to processor sets in HP-UX 11i v2, and psrset has been enhanced to manage the RTE processor set. The following new options have been added for RTE processor set:

    -l

    Lists all the processor sets that are configured as RTE processor set.

    -m pset_id

    Marks a processor set with the identification number, pset_id, as an RTE processor set.

    -s pset_id

    Un-marks the processor set with the identification number, pset_id, as an RTE processor set.

    -R [processor_list]

    Creates a new RTE processor set and displays the processor set identification number (pset_id) for the new processor set.

Impact

  • You can get LDOM details along with processor set information, a capability that was not possible earlier.

  • You are now able to get information about RTE processor sets, as well as modify them.

Compatibility

There are no compatibility issues.

Performance

There are no performance issues.

Documentation

The manpage for the psrset command, psrset(1M), has been modified to indicate that psrset will display Locality Domain information for the processor set, along with other details.

The manpage for the psrset command has also been updated to document the new options added for RTE processor set support.

Obsolescence

Not applicable.

HP-UX Workload Manager

HP-UX Workload Manager (WLM) version A.02.01.01 provides goal-based workload management, enabling automatic resource allocation and application performance management. WLM uses a configuration file specifying workloads and their prioritized service-level objectives (SLOs). WLM automatically allocates CPU resources to the workloads based on priorities and current performance.

Summary of Change

HP-UX WLM version A.02.01.01 includes the following:

  • wlminfo utility for monitoring workloads and their SLOs

  • auditing and billing information

  • PSET-based workload groups can now have their number of CPUs adjusted based on SLOs

  • passive mode to allow you to see how WLM will approximately respond to a given WLM configuration

  • ability to easily capture the stderr of data collectors by using coll_stderr in your WLM configuration

  • ability to temporarily remove groups with no active SLOs by using the transient_groups keyword, ensuring that resource use is reduced to zero for such groups

Impact

HP-UX WLM version A.02.01.01 offers greater functionality and ease of use.

Compatibility

There is a new /etc/rc.config.d/wlm file. If you've modified your /etc/rc.config.d/wlm file, the new file is placed in /opt/wlm/newconfig/etc/rc.config.d/wlm.

Performance

HP-UX WLM version A.02.01.01 improves application performance once you have properly configured workload groups for critical applications. Applications that are not placed in workload groups may experience performance degradation. Additionally, misconfiguring WLM can degrade performance.

Documentation

The following manpages have been revised or are new:

  • sg_pkg_active(1M) (revised)

  • wlmaudit(1M) (new)

  • wlmcw(1M) (revised)

  • wlmd(1M) (revised)

  • wlminfo(1M) (new)

  • wlmconf(4) (revised)

For further information, go to the HP-UX Workload Manager Web site at http://www.hp.com/go/wlm. See also the HP-UX Workload Manager User’s Guide at http://www.docs.hp.com/hpux/netsys/index.html#HP-UX%20Workload%20Manager.

Obsolescence

Not applicable.

HP-UX Workload Manager Toolkits

HP-UX Workload Manager Toolkits (WLMTK) version A.01.04.01 consists of utilities and examples that make it easier to deploy Workload Manager (WLM)[3] for the management of specific mission-critical software products.

Summary of Change

WLMTK now has a toolkit for BEA WebLogic Server.

Impact

With the toolkit for BEA WebLogic Server, you can now automatically optimize the CPU resources allocated to WebLogic instances.

Compatibility

There are No compatibility issues.

Performance

WLMTK facilitates use of WLM, which automatically manages application performance.

Documentation

The following manpages are new:

  • wlmwlsdc(1M) (new)

  • expsmooth(1M) (new)

For further information, go to the HP-UX Workload Manager Web site at http://www.hp.com/go/wlm. See also the HP-UX Workload Manager Toolkits User's Guide at http://www.docs.hp.com/hpux/netsys/index.html#HP-UX%20Workload%20Manager.

Obsolescence

Not applicable.

nPartition Provider

The nPartition Provider, version B.01.00, is the HP-UX WBEM Services provider for nPartition-related information on partitionable systems.

Summary of Change

nPartition Provider is a new product with HP-UX 11i v2. This product is used by Partition Manager and the partition commands to configure and manage HP systems that support nPartitions. With this component, partitionable systems can be managed both locally and remotely. The nPartition Provider product is only used through a WBEM interface. It is not invoked directly by the user.

Complete information is in the nPartition provider product data sheet, installed as /opt/nparprovider/doc/nParProviderDataSheet.html.

Impact

With nPartition Provider, you can configure and manage both local and remote HP systems that support nPartitions.

Compatibility

There are no compatibility issues.

Performance

You should be aware of the following items that may affect performance:

  • When managing a remote partitionable complex, the performance degrades when the connection traverses long network distances, e.g., managing a partitionable complex in California from a system in New York. Furthermore, when managing a remote system, performance can be improved by connecting to an nPartition Provider on the remote system, rather than connecting directly to the system's service processor.

  • The nPartition provider maintains a cache of information about systems being managed. This cache is cleared when the nPartition Provider is unloaded by the CIM server. Performance may be reduced when managing a system for the first time, or immediately after the CIM server has been restarted. Subsequent management sessions of the same system will be faster.

Documentation

The nPartition provider product data sheet is installed as /opt/nparprovider/doc/nParProviderDataSheet.html.

Obsolescence

Not applicable.

Partition Manager

NOTE: Partition Manager version B.11.23.01.00, originally released with HP-UX 11i v2 (B.11.23), contained a security defect that has been fixed in subsequent releases. This fix is included in Partition Manager version B.11.23.02.00.02, available with the March 2004 update to HP-UX 11i v2. It can also be downloaded for free from the HP Web at http://software.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=ParMgr.

For more information, refer to HP Security Bulletin SSRT3636 (document id: HPSBUX0311-296), which is available from the IT Resource Center at http://itrc.hp.com.

Partition Manager version B.11.23.01.00 (aka parmgr) provides system administrators with a convenient graphical user interface for configuration and management of nPartitions on HP server systems. In addition, Partition Manager enhances the reliability and performance of HP partitioning products by providing automatic detection of several types of configuration problems.

Partition Manager is a Web-based application that can be launched from Servicecontrol Manager 3.0, System Administration Manager (SAM), or as a stand-alone product. Customers interact with Partition Manager through a Web browser running on their client workstation or PC.

Partition Manager can be used to manage nPartitions on any complex in the customer's network. It provides both high-level overviews and detailed specifications of the hardware and software resources of the complex. Using Partition Manager, the system administrator can examine the state of the complex, create nPartitions, modify the allocation of resources between nPartitions, delete nPartitions, and perform other tasks. Step-by-step guidance is provided for complex tasks, and Web-based online help is provided for every screen.

Summary of Change

This version of Partition Manager offers fundamentally the same functionality as the previous release of Partition Manager, with the following major enhancements to the user interface:

  • accessed through a Web browser from a PC or client workstation;

  • configuration of nPartitions on remote complexes;

  • intuitive graphical views of all the data in the complex;

  • hardware components are shown in their actual physical location in the complex's cabinets.

Other new features of this release include support for Cell Local Memory (CLM), which can improve memory access performance, and support for Itanium-based systems.

This release of Partition Manager is supported on all HP server systems that support nPartitions and HP-UX 11i v2.

Impact

This version of Partition Manager brings graphical nPartition management to Itanium-based systems.

The enhanced graphical user interface provides a visual map of the complex. It is easier to see “at a glance” how resources are allocated between nPartitions. It is easier to select the correct resources for actions such as creating and modifying nPartitions and configuring memory.

Compatibility

There are no compatibility issues.

Performance

Due to significant changes between versions, performance differences between this release and the previous release of Partition Manager are not available. However, you should be aware of the following items that may affect performance:

  • When managing a remote partitionable complex, the performance degrades when the connection traverses long network distances, e.g. managing a partitionable complex in California from a system in New York. Furthermore, when managing a remote system, performance can be improved by connecting to an nPartition Provider on the remote system, rather than connecting directly to the system's service processor.

  • A noticeable delay may occur at startup, and the first time that each Partition Manager view is displayed. This is due to the initial compilation of the Java Server Pages by the HP-UX Tomcat-based Servlet Engine. This compilation occurs the first time that a view is displayed after the Servlet Engine is started or restarted. Once a given view has been displayed, subsequent displays of that view will be significantly faster.

  • When managing a remote system, possible performance improvements can be obtained by running the Web browser on the local system, instead of running the browser remotely to a local X Server.

  • The nPartition provider maintains a cache of information about systems being managed. This cache is cleared when the nPartition Provider is unloaded by the CIM server. Performance may be reduced when managing a system for the first time, or immediately after the CIM server has been restarted. Subsequent management sessions of the same system will be faster.

Documentation

The principal documentation for Partition Manager is HTML-based online help. The online help is accessed through context-sensitive help links in Partition Manager, and can also be viewed outside of Partition Manager through a Web browser.

The parmgr command (which can be used to start or stop Partition Manager) is documented in the parmgr(1M) manpage that is included with the product. Both English and Japanese versions of the manpage are included.

The latest release of Partition Manager can be downloaded for free from the HP Web at http://software.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=ParMgr.

Obsolescence

Not applicable.


[2] For further information about VxVM, see “VERITAS Volume Manager (VxVM) 3.5”.

[3] For further information about WLM, see “HP-UX Workload Manager”.



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