Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview 105
A partition that uses AIX 7.1 can run in POWER6, POWER6+, or POWER7 mode. The best
approach is to run the partition in POWER7 mode to allow exploitation of new hardware
capabilities such as SMT4 and Active Memory Expansion.
2.12.2 IBM i operating system
The IBM i operating system is supported on the Power 720 and Power 740 with the following
minimum required levels:
IBM i 7.1, or later
IBM i 6.1 with machine code 6.1.1, or later
– Requires all I/O to be virtual
– Cannot be ordered as the primary operating system with FC 2145 and FC 0566
IBM periodically releases maintenance packages (service packs or technology levels) for the
IBM i operating system. Information about these packages, downloading, and obtaining the
CD-ROM is on the Fix Central website:
http://www-933.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/
Visit the IBM Prerequisite website for compatibility information for hardware features and the
corresponding AIX and IBM i Technology Levels.
http://www-912.ibm.com/e_dir/eserverprereq.nsf
2.12.3 Linux operating system
Linux is an open source operating system that runs on numerous platforms from embedded
systems to mainframe computers. It provides an implementation like UNIX across many
computer architectures.
The supported versions of Linux on the Power 720 and Power 740 servers are as follows:
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 2, or later, with current maintenance
updates available from Novell to enable all planned functionality
For Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), consult the following Statements of Direction:
– RHEL 6.4 support for Power 720 and Power 740
IBM intends to continue to work with Red Hat to provide support for Power 720 and
Power 740 with an upcoming Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 release. For additional
questions about the availability of this release and supported hardware servers,
consult the Red Hat Hardware Catalog at:
https://hardware.redhat.com
– RHEL 6 preinstall feature for Power 720 and Power 740
IBM intends to provide support for preinstall of an upcoming Red Hat Enterprise
Linux 6 release on the Power 720 and Power 740 systems.
If you want to configure Linux partitions in virtualized Power Systems, be aware of the
following conditions:
Not all devices and features that are supported by the AIX operating system are supported
in logical partitions that run the Linux operating system.
Linux operating system licenses are ordered separately from the hardware. You can
acquire Linux operating system licenses from IBM to be included with the POWER7+
processor-based servers, or from other Linux distributors.
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