Apparatus and method of allowing multiple partitions of a partitioned computer system to use a single network adapter

A computer program product on a computer readable medium for allowing a device to be shared among partitions of a logically partitioned system comprising:

• code means for determining whether a requesting partition has permission to use a device, said device not having been originally assigned to the requesting partition;
• and
• code means for automatically reassigning the device to the requesting partition if the requesting partition has permission to use the device.

An apparatus for allowing a device to be shared among partitions of a logically partitioned system comprising:

• means for determining whether a requesting partition has permission to use a device, said device not having been originally assigned to the requesting partition;
• and
• means for automatically reassigning the device to the requesting partition if the requesting partition has permission to use the device.

A computer system for allowing a device to be shared among partitions of a logically partitioned system comprising:

• at least one memory device for storing code data;
• and
• at least one processor for processing the code data to determine whether a requesting partition has permission to use a device, said device not having been originally assigned to the requesting partition, and to automatically reassign the device to the requesting partition if the requesting partition has permission to use the device.