Logical Partitioning (LPAR) - An Overview

The Hardware System Console (HMC) user interface provides the functions you need to create and maintain a multiple-partitioned environment. Read the following to learn more about creating, maintaining, and deleting partitions.

The objective of logical partitioning (LPAR) is to provide users with the ability to split a single CEC into several independent systems. Each of these systems, called partitions, is capable of running applications in multiple, independent environments simultaneously. Logical partitioning makes it possible for a user to run a single application using different sets of data on separate partitions, as if that application were running independently on separate physical CECs. By creating partitions, for example, a company can test its program on one partition while developing the same program on another - at the same time, all by using the same machine. This "same machine" partitioning method is more cost-effective, potentially eliminating the need for a separate test machine.