Specifications

Chapter 3. Virtualization 79
Draft Document for Review May 12, 2014 12:46 pm 5102ch03.fm
3.2 POWER processor modes
Although, strictly speaking, not a virtualization feature, the POWER modes are described
here because they affect various virtualization features.
On Power System servers, partitions can be configured to run in several modes, including the
following modes:
򐂰 POWER6 compatibility mode
This execution mode is compatible with Version 2.05 of the Power Instruction Set
Architecture (ISA). For more information, visit the following address:
http://power.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/PowerISA_V2.05.pdf
򐂰 POWER6+ compatibility mode
This mode is similar to POWER6, with eight more storage protection keys.
򐂰 POWER7 mode
This is the mode for POWER7+ and POWER7 processors, implementing the v2.06 of the
Power Instruction Set Architecture. For more information, visit the following address:
http://power.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/PowerISA_V2.06B_V2_PUBLIC.pdf
򐂰 POWER8 mode
This is the native mode for POWER8 processors implementing the v2.07 of the Power
Instruction Set Architecture. For more information, visit the following address:
https://www.power.org/documentation/power-isa-version-2-07/
The selection of the mode is made on a per-partition basis, from the managed console, by
editing the partition profile.
Figure 3-2 on page 80 shows the compatibility modes within the LPAR profile.