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Ethernet requires a IBM Sserver p5 590 and 595 system with either AIX 5L
Version 5.3 or the appropriate level of Linux and a Hardware Management
Console to define the virtual Ethernet devices. Virtual Ethernet does not require
the Advanced POWER Virtualization feature because it is a function of the
POWER Hypervisor.
Due to the number of partitions possible on many systems being greater than the
number of I/O slots, virtual Ethernet is a convenient and cost saving option to
enable partitions within a single system to communicate with one another
through a VLAN. The VLAN creates logical Ethernet connections between one or
more partitions and is designed to help avoid a failed or malfunctioning operating
system from being able to impact the communication between two functioning
operating systems. The virtual Ethernet connections may also be
external network to permit partitions without physical network adapters to
communicate outside of the server.
The concepts of implementing virtual Ethernet are categorized in the following
sections:
Section 3.3.1, "Virtual LAN" on page 66
Section 3.3.2, "Virtual Ethernet connections" on page 70
Section 3.3.3, "Dynamic partitioning for virtual Ethernet devices" on page 72
Section 3.3.4, "Limitations and considerations" on page 72
3.3.1 Virtual LAN
This section will discuss the concepts of Virtual LAN (VLAN) technology with
specific reference to its implementation within AIX.
Virtual LAN overview
Virtual LAN (VLAN) is a technology used for establishing virtual network
segments on top of physical switch devices. If configured appropriately, a VLAN
definition can straddle multiple switches. Typically, a VLAN is a broadcast domain
that enables all nodes in the VLAN to communicate with each other without any
L3 routing or inter-VLAN bridging. In Figure 3-4, two VLANs (VLAN 1 and 2) are
defined on three switches (Switch A, B, and C). Although nodes C-1 and C-2 are
physically connected to the same switch C, traffic between two nodes can be
blocked. To enable communication between VLAN 1 and 2, L3 routing or
inter-VLAN bridging should be established between them; this is typically
provided by an L3 device.
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bridged
to an
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