Windows Integrity nPartition Guide

Introduction

Getting to know nPartitions

Chapter 1

Getting to know nPartitions

Partitions are physical or logical mechanisms for demarcating operational environments

within a single system or across multiple systems. Partitioning lets you consolidate

systems, allocate computing resources in response to fluctuations in demand, maximize

resource utilization, and protect operating environments from disruptive events.

Partitioning continuum

HP offers a continuum of partitioning technologies, as shown in Figure 1-2.

Figure 1-2 Partitioning continuum

node Partition An node partition (nPartition) is a hard partition within a cell-based

server. Cell-based servers can be configured either as a single large

symmetric multiprocessor or as several independent systems. An

nPartition has exclusive use of the memory, processor, and I/O

resources belonging to the cells that are assigned to that partition, and

can execute its own operating system image.

virtual Partition A virtual partition is a soft partition within a node or an nPartition. A

virtual partition uses a subset of the system processor, memory, and

I/O resources, and includes OS and application-related software.

Windows Server 2003 is not supported in a virtual partition.

resource Partition A resource partition is a soft partition within either hard partitions or

virtual partitions and is controlled by workload management services

within the operating system. Resource partitions allow an OS instance

to allocate resources between competing applications. Windows Server

2003 does not support resource partitions.

This document focuses on nPartitions running Microsoft Windows Server 2003.

virtual

partition

virtual

partition

Virtual Partitions

within a hard

partition

Partitioning

Continuum

application

Resource

Partitions

within an OS

Flexibility

nPartition

Hard

Partitions

within a node

Isolation