Overview

SPARC Enterprise is the optimal virtualization platform, providing virtualization and top-class hardware reliability on all models. Logical Domains (LDoms) is a new standard for virtualization, for highest business continuity and system investment efficiency, on Throughput Computing servers.

SPARC Enterprise models T5440, T5240, T5140, T5220 and T5120 support LDoms.

They in fact provide two methods of server-virtualization. Logical Domains (LDoms) implemented at the firmware level, and Solaris Containers implemented at the operating system (OS) level. This mix of capability lets you choose the right virtualization features for your server consolidation solution. LDoms provide fault tolerance based on use of separate OS environments. For example, three distinct OS environments (domains) could be used for three different applications; such as, Web server, Application server and DB server, on the same physical machine. This means the DB server can remain up and running and unaffected by an application or OS failure in the Web or Application server domains.

Solaris Containers can further reduce system management and maintenance costs due to their use of a single OS environment to host multiple operations. However, an application failure in one container can affect all systems running on the same OS. Now you can choose the best virtualization functions, from LDoms and Solaris Containers to best match each system's requirements for uptime and cost efficiency.

The maximum number of OS environments (domains) with T5440, T5240 and T5140 is 128, and with T5220 and T5120 it is 64. The Logical Domains Manager software can be freely downloaded from the following Fujitsu site:

Downloads

Before downloading and installing the above software products, you must consent to the conditions for using such products.

Customer Benefit

On all SPARC Enterprise models, virtualization comes as standard. LDoms can be used at no additional cost.

Due to their firmware level virtualization, LDoms can be used to build multiple OS environments (domains) on the same server. In addition, because application and OS failures in one domain never affect other domains, you can create fault tolerant systems. You can also maximize system uptime using the following features.

• A failed Domain can be rebooted while all other Domains remain running
• Downtime for server maintenance, including OS patch application and server parts replacement, can be minimized. Guest Domains on one server can be redeployed and resumed on another server
• Virtual I/O configuration can be reconfigured during system operation

Distinct OS environments may be necessary for different applications. For instance, an application server and a DB server may use a different Solaris OS release and patches. When consolidating such server environments, LDoms offer an optimal solution, due to the ability to support multiple OS environments.

Dynamic resource re-allocation can maximize server resource use while ensuring business continuity. For instance, pooled or shared CPU resources can be added to a Domain as workloads surge, smoothing system performance at no additional cost. You can also adjust resource levels between Domains. For instance, accounting applications tend to have workload peaks as each period end. Such applications benefit from temporary CPU resource reallocations at these times.

System Requirements