System and method for dynamically performing resource reconfiguration in a logically partitioned data processing system

A method for dynamically reconfiguring a resource in a logically partitioned data processing system comprising at least one logical partition (LP) in which a Control Program (CP) operates, a hypervisor managing said at least one logical partition, and a Processor Controller Element (PCE) controlling physical reconfiguration of said resource, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) sending a first reconfiguration request to said PCE from one of a system console and an internal trigger to microcode;
• b) in response to said first reconfiguration request, said PCE sending a second reconfiguration request to said hypervisor, said second reconfiguration request identifying said resource;
• c) in response to said second reconfiguration request, said hypervisor translating said second reconfiguration request into an actual reconfiguration request processable by said control program (CP) operating within said at least one logical partition, and sending said actual reconfiguration request to said at least one logical partition, said translating being accomplished by:
• i) first translating said second reconfiguration request into a proposed reconfiguration request by mapping said resource into a mapped logical resource;
• ii) then performing policy processing to translate said proposed reconfiguration request into said actual reconfiguration request, said performing policy processing being accomplished by said hypervisor:
• 1) accessing a system policy file;
• 2) comparing said proposed reconfiguration request with said system policy file to determine if a policy violation is proposed by said proposed reconfiguration request;
• 3) if said policy violation is proposed, determining an alternate reconfiguration request by:
• i) identifying an alternate resource equivalent to said resource;
• ii) making said alternate resource available;
• iii) performing resource substitution to exchange contents and mapping between said resource and said alternate resource;
• 4) constructing a final reconfiguration request comprising said actual reconfiguration request if said policy violation was not proposed, and comprising said alternate reconfiguration request if said policy violation was proposed;
• d) in response to said actual reconfiguration request, said control program (CP) operating within said at least one logical partition performing reconfiguration command processing, said reconfiguration command processing comprising CP logical processing and CP physical processing, said CP logical processing comprising termination of usage of said resource by said CP and performing policy verification of said actual reconfiguration request, said CP physical processing comprising a physical reconfiguration request to said hypervisor;
• e) in response to said physical reconfiguration request, said hypervisor performing hypervisor resource reconfiguration processing by:
• i) performing LP physical processing to adjust LP control information relating to said resource;
• ii) indicating completion to said CP;
• iii) performing physical processing preparation by terminating use of said resource by said hypervisor;
• iv) sending a final reconfiguration request to said PCE.

A system for dynamic resource configuration comprising:

• a) a processor controller element (PCE) means for receiving a reconfiguration request from one of a system console and an internal trigger to microcode, and forwarding said reconfiguration request to a hypervisor;
• b) first translation means, within said hypervisor, for receiving said reconfiguration request and translating said reconfiguration request into an actual reconfiguration request processable by, and for a control program, said control program executing under control of said hypervisor;
• and
• c) processing means, within said control program, for processing said actual reconfiguration request.

A system for dynamic resource configuration comprising:

• a) a processor comprising at least one processor resource and a processor controller element (PCE) coupled thereto;
• b) a hypervisor executing within said processor and supporting at least one control program executing in at least one logical partition of said processor;
• c) request means within said PCE for receiving a reconfiguration request from one of a system console and an internal trigger to microcode, said reconfiguration request relating to one of said at least one processor resource and forwarding said reconfiguration request to said hypervisor;
• d) first translation means, within said hypervisor, for receiving said reconfiguration request and translating said reconfiguration request into an actual reconfiguration request processable by, and for at least one of said at least one control program;
• and
• e) processing means, within said at least one of said at least one control program, for processing said actual reconfiguration request.