IBM is prepping its System I and P servers with virtualization software PowerVM to compete with the x86 servers in the market.

An excerpt from InformationWeek:

PowerVM is IBM’s established server hypervisor and related software that subdivides physical servers into LPARS or logical partition units, each with its own virtualized operating system and application. PowerVM was formerly known as Advanced Power Virtualization.

PowerVM can now implement a live migration feature, Live Partition Mobility, that moves a single LPARS workload or all LPARS workloads, from one physical server to another without interrupting end users, said Scott Handy, VP of strategy for its Power chip systems, in an interview.

IBM is betting on its PowerVM line which will also support x86 Linux applications.

More information:

IBM adds linux apps support to unix servers (InfoWorld)

IBM VMs up Power6 entry-level server (Inquirer)

IBM targets SMBs with virtualization makeover (InternetNews)