Dynamic node partitioning utilizing sleep state

A computer program product, residing on a computer readable storage medium, the computer program product comprising:

• program code for enabling memory mirroring between a primary memory and a backup memory in a first node of a multi-node computer system;
• program code for storing all current system operating state information for the first node in the primary and backup memories of the first node;
• program code for, subsequent to storing all current system operating state information, disabling memory mirroring and a peripheral device Input/Output (I/O) in the first node;
• and
• program code for appropriating operation of the first node by a second node in the multi-node computer system, wherein the first and second node are partitioned into a same logical partition, such that the second node is able to utilize the primary memory and logical processing resources of the first node while the backup memory of the first node remains isolated to protect the previously stored system operating state information.

A system comprising:

• a memory controller in a first node of a multi-node computer system, the memory controller:
• enabling memory mirroring between a primary memory and a backup memory in the first node;
• storing all current system operating state information for the first node in the primary and backup memories of the first node;
• and
• subsequent to storing all current system operating state information, disabling memory mirroring and a peripheral device Input/Output (I/O) in the first node;
• and
• a scalability chipset in the first node and a second node in the multi-node computer system for partitioning the first and second node into a same logical partition, such that the second node is able to utilize the primary memory and logical processing resources of the first node while the backup memory of the first node remains isolated to protect the previously stored system operating state information.