Compaq AlphaServer GS140 User manual

AlphaServer GS140
Getting Started with Logical Partitions
Order Number: EK–TUNLP–SF
This document describes the hardware configuration rules and
the console firmware commands and environment variable
settings needed to run multiple instances of an operating system
on Compaq AlphaServer GS140 systems.

First Printing, May 1999
The information in this publication is subject to change without notice.
COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR
EDITORIAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, NOR FOR INCIDENTAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE FURNISHING,
PERFORMANCE, OR USE OF THIS MATERIAL. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED
“AS IS” AND COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
GOOD TITLE AND AGAINST INFRINGEMENT.
This publication contains information protected by copyright. No part of this publication may be
photocopied or reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Compaq Computer
Corporation.
© 1999 Digital Equipment Corporation.
All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
The software described in this guide is furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure
agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the
agreement.
COMPAQ and the Compaq logo are registered in United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Tru64 is a trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation. AlphaServer and OpenVMS are
trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark in the U.S. and
other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd.
Microsoft and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other product names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective companies.

iii
Contents
Preface vii
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Reasons for Partitioning 1-2
1.2 Important Considerations for Partitioned Systems 1-4
1.3 Overview of the Partitioning Process 1-6
Chapter 2 Configuration Rules
2.1 Overview of Configuration Requirements 2-2
2.2 Example of a Partitioned System 2-4
2.3 Module Configuration 2-6
2.4 Memory Allocation 2-8
2.4.1 Two Partitions 2-8
2.4.2 Three Partitions 2-10
2.5 DWLPB PCI Card Cages and Hose Connections 2-12
2.6 KFE72-DA Adapters and Attached Console Terminals 2-14
2.7 CD-ROM Drives for Secondary Partitions 2-16
2.8 Attaching Floppy Drives for Secondary Partitions (Optional) 2-18
2.9 Moving One Floppy Drive Between Partitions 2-20
Chapter 3 Environment Variable Settings
3.1 Environment Variables Used 3-2
3.2 Detailed Directions for lp_cpu_mask 3-4
3.3 Detailed Instructions for lp_io_mask 3-8
Chapter 4 Setting Up, Initializing, and Booting Logical
Partitions
4.1 Primary Console: Check Configuration 4-2
4.2 Step 1: Create and Initialize Environment Variables from the
Primary Console 4-6
4.3 Step 2: Initialize Partitions from the Primary Console;
Boot/Install OS in Partition 0 4-8

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4.4 Step 3: Set and Initialize Environment Variables,
Boot/Install from Secondary Consoles 4-10
Chapter 5 Tips and Troubleshooting
5.1 Setting auto_action Within Partitions 5-2
5.2 How to Stop a Hung Secondary Partition 5-4
5.2 Halting All Partitions to Reconfigure 5-6
5.3 Correcting Errors in Environment Variables 5-8
5.4 Using Tools to Debug a Partition 5-10
Index
Examples
4-1 Check Configuration from Primary Console 4-2
4-2 Initial Commands from the Primary Console 4-6
4-3 Initializing the Partitions 4-8
4-4 Using the Secondary Consoles 4-10
5-1 Halting a Hung OS Instance in Partition 0 5-4
5-2 Halting a Hung OS Instance in Secondary Partitions 5-4
5-3 All Consoles: Shut Down Operating System 5-6
5-4 Primary Console: Disable Partitions and Reset EVs 5-6
5-5 Correcting a Bad Bit Mask 5-8
Figures
1-1 Maintaining Multiple Instances at Separate Consoles 1-1
1-2 Consolidating Resources by Using Partitioning 1-2
1-3 Reset: Use Caution with Partitioned Systems 1-4
1-4 Overview of Using Logical Partitions 1-6
2-1 Example Configuration (Front View of Cabs) 2-4
2-2 Example Configuration (Rear View of Cabs) 2-5
2-3 Module Configuration 2-6
2-4 Memory Allocation with Two Partitions 2-8
2-5 Memory Allocation with Three Partitions 2-10
2-6 DWLPB PCI Card Cages 2-12
2-7 Hose Numbering Scheme for I/O Modules 2-13
2-8 KFE72-DA Adapters 2-14
2-9 Placement of RRDxx-VA Disks 2-16
2-10 Floppy Drive Connector on KFE72-DA Adapter 2-18
2-11 Relevant Connectors on KFE72s and DWLPBs 2-20

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3-1 Environment Variables and lpinit Command 3-2
3-2 Construction of Three-Partition CPU Bit Mask 3-4
3-3 Construction of Two-Partition CPU Bit Masks 3-6
3-4 Construction of Three-Partition I/O Bit Masks 3-8
3-5 Construction of Two-Partition I/O Bit Masks 3-9
5-1 Setting auto_action to Halt in Each Partition 5-2
5-2 Debugging One Partition 5-10
Tables
1 Related AlphaServer GS140 Documentation viii
2-1 Requirements for a Three-Partition System 2-2
2-2 Requirements for a Two-Partition System 2-3
3-1 Environment Variables for Logical Partitions 3-3

vii
Preface
Intended Audience
This manual is written for anyone wishing to understand the concepts and
requirements of logical partitions for a Compaq AlphaServer GS140 system, as
well as how to use the console firmware to define them.
Document Structure
This manual uses a structured documentation design. Topics are organized into
small sections for efficient online and printed reference. Each topic begins with
an abstract. You can quickly gain a comprehensive overview by reading only
the abstracts. Next is an illustration or example, which also provides quick
reference. Last in the structure are descriptive text and syntax definitions.
This manual has five chapters, as follows:
•Chapter 1, Introduction, gives an overview of logical partitions.
•Chapter 2, Configuration Rules, describes the hardware you need to run
logical partitions.
•Chapter 3, Environment Variable Settings, describes the environment
variables used to define logical partitions for an operating system.
•Chapter 4, Setting Up, Initializing, and Booting Logical Partitions ,
describes the sequence of console firmware commands you need to use to
enable logical partitioning and boot/install the operating system.
•Chapter 5, Tips and Troubleshooting, gives pointers on how to perform
common operations, correct problems, and run tools to debug a partition.

viii
Documentation Titles
Table 1 lists the books in the AlphaServer GS140 documentation set and
operating system documentation that you may find useful.
Table 1 Related AlphaServer GS140 Documentation
Title Order Number
Hardware User Information and Installation
Operations Manual EK–T8030–OP
Service Information Kit QZ–00RAC–GC
Service Manual (hard copy) EK–T8030–SV
Service Manual (diskette) AK–QKNFB–CA
AK-QUW7B-CA
AK-QUW6B-CA
Reference Manuals
System Technical Manual EK–T8030–TM
System Technical Manual Supplement: CPU EK–T8030–TS
System Technical Manual Supplement: Memory EK–MS7CC–TS
DWLPA/DWLPB PCI Adapter Technical Manual EK–DWLPA–TM
Upgrade Manuals
KN7CG CPU Installation Card EK–KN7CG–IN
MS7CC Memory Installation Card EK–MS7CC–IN
KFTHA System I/O Module Installation Card EK–KFTHA–IN
KFTIA Integrated I/O Module Installation Card EK–KFTIA–IN
AlphaServer 8400 Upgrade Manual EK–T8430–UI
DWLPA/DWLPB PCI PIU Installation Guide EK–DWL84–IN
KFE72 Installation Guide EK–KFE72–IN
Software Manuals
Tru64 UNIX Installation Guide
Tru64 UNIX System Administrator’s Guide
Tru64 UNIX Release Notes
DECevent Installation Guide AA–DECUX–IN

Introduction 1-1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Partitioning is defined as the capability to run multiple copies, or instances, of
an operating system on one hardware system. Each instance is maintained at a
separate console monitor, as shown for two partitions in Figure 1–1. The
AlphaServer GS140 system supports up to three partitions.
Figure 1–1 Maintaining Multiple Instances at Separate Consoles
BX0502C-99
Primary Console
Secondary Console
Tru64 UNIX
running on
1 CPU module
1 2-Gbyte memory
1 KFTHA I/O module
Tru64 UNIX
running on:
2 CPU modules
1 4-Gbyte Memory
2 KFTHA I/O modules

1-2 Getting Started with Logical Partitions
1.1 Reasons for Partitioning
Partitioning can be used for various reasons, including the
consolidation of computing resources into one system or increasing the
efficiency of an existing system.
Figure 1–2 Consolidating Resources by Using Partitioning
BEFORE AFTER
Server
running 24/7
air pollution
monitoring and
simulation for
greater
Los Angeles
Small server
running office
applications
Medium-sized server
running audio-visual design
group
Partition 0
Partition 1
Partition 2
AlphaServer GS140
running 3 instances of
Compaq Tru64 UNIX
using logical partitions
BX-0199-99