This section describes how to dynamically create and destroy virtual functions. If you cannot use the dynamic methods to perform these actions, initiate a delayed reconfiguration on the root domain before you create or destroy virtual functions.
If you cannot use this dynamic method, use the static method instead. See Static SR-IOV.
primary# ldm list-io
Note that the name of the physical function includes the location information for the PCIe SR-IOV card or on-board device.
Perform this step only if I/O virtualization is not enabled already for the bus that has the physical function.
After you create one or more virtual functions, you can assign them to a guest domain.
primary# ldm create-vf -n number | max pf-name
Use the ldm create-vf -n max command to create all the virtual functions for that physical function at one time.
![]() | Caution - When your system uses an Intel 10-Gbit Ethernet card, maximize performance by creating no more than 31 virtual functions from each physical function. |
You can use either the path name or the pseudonym name to specify virtual functions. However, the recommended practice is to use the pseudonym name.
ldm create-vf [mac-addr=num] [alt-mac-addrs=[auto|num1,[auto|num2,...]]] [pvid=pvid] [vid=vid1,vid2,...] [mtu=size] [name=value...] pf-name
Use this command to create one virtual function for that physical function. You can also manually specify Ethernet class-specific property values.
A device status might be INV immediately following a root domain reboot (including that of the primary) or immediately after you use the ldm create-vf or ldm destroy-vf command.
primary# ldm start-reconf root-domain-name
Use the same commands as shown previously to dynamically create the virtual functions.
primary# ldm stop-domain -r root-domain
primary# shutdown -i6 -g0 -y
This example shows information about the /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0 physical function:
This physical function is from an on-board NET0 network device.
The IOVNET string indicates that the physical function is a network SR-IOV device.
primary# ldm list-io /SYS/PM0/CMP0/NIU_CORE NIU niu_0 primary /SYS/PM0/CMP1/NIU_CORE NIU niu_1 primary /SYS/PM0/CMP0/PEX BUS pci_0 primary IOV /SYS/PM0/CMP1/PEX BUS pci_1 /SYS/MB/PCIE0 PCIE pci_0 primary OCC /SYS/MB/PCIE2 PCIE pci_0 primary OCC /SYS/MB/PCIE4 PCIE pci_0 primary OCC /SYS/MB/PCIE6 PCIE pci_0 primary EMP /SYS/MB/PCIE8 PCIE pci_0 primary EMP /SYS/MB/SASHBA PCIE pci_0 primary OCC /SYS/MB/NET0 PCIE pci_0 primary OCC /SYS/MB/PCIE1 PCIE pci_1 primary OCC /SYS/MB/PCIE3 PCIE pci_1 primary OCC /SYS/MB/PCIE5 PCIE pci_1 primary OCC /SYS/MB/PCIE7 PCIE pci_1 primary EMP /SYS/MB/PCIE9 PCIE pci_1 primary EMP /SYS/MB/NET2 PCIE pci_1 primary OCC /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0 PF pci_0 primary /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF1 PF pci_0 primary /SYS/MB/PCIE5/IOVNET.PF0 PF pci_1 primary /SYS/MB/PCIE5/IOVNET.PF1 PF pci_1 primary /SYS/MB/NET2/IOVNET.PF0 PF pci_1 primary /SYS/MB/NET2/IOVNET.PF1 PF pci_1 primary
The following command shows more details about the specified physical function. The maxvfs value indicates the maximum number of virtual functions that is supported by the device.
primary# ldm list-io -l /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0 NAME TYPE BUS DOMAIN STATUS ---- ---- --- ------ ------ /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0 PF pci_0 primary [pci@400/pci@1/pci@0/pci@4/network@0] maxvfs = 7Example 6 Dynamically Creating an Ethernet Virtual Function Without Setting Optional Properties
This example dynamically creates a virtual function without setting any optional properties. In this case, the MAC address for a network class virtual function is automatically allocated.
Ensure that I/O virtualization is enabled on the pci_0 PCIe bus. See How to Enable I/O Virtualization for a PCIe Bus.
Now, you can use the ldm create-vf command to create the virtual function from the /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0 physical function.
primary# ldm create-vf /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0 Created new vf: /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0.VF0Example 7 Dynamically Creating an Ethernet Virtual Function and Setting Properties
This example dynamically creates a virtual function while setting the mac-addr property to 00:14:2f:f9:14:c0 and the vid property to VLAN IDs 2 and 3.
primary# ldm create-vf mac-addr=00:14:2f:f9:14:c0 vid=2,3 /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0Example 8 Dynamically Creating an Ethernet Virtual Function With Two Alternate MAC Addresses
This example dynamically creates a virtual function that has two alternate MAC addresses. One MAC address is automatically allocated, and the other is explicitly specified as 00:14:2f:f9:14:c2.
primary# ldm create-vf alt-mac-addrs=auto,00:14:2f:f9:14:c2 /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0Example 9 Statically Creating a Virtual Function Without Setting Optional Properties
This example statically creates a virtual function without setting any optional properties. In this case, the MAC address for a network class virtual function is automatically allocated.
First you initiate a delayed reconfiguration on the primary domain and then enable I/O virtualization on the pci_0 PCIe bus. Because the pci_0 bus has already been assigned to the primary root domain, use the ldm set-io command to enable I/O virtualization.
primary# ldm start-reconf primary Initiating a delayed reconfiguration operation on the primary domain. All configuration changes for other domains are disabled until the primary domain reboots, at which time the new configuration for the primary domain will also take effect. primary# ldm set-io iov=on pci_0
Now, you can use the ldm create-vf command to create the virtual function from the /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0 physical function.
primary# ldm create-vf /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notice: The primary domain is in the process of a delayed reconfiguration. Any changes made to the primary domain will only take effect after it reboots. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Created new vf: /SYS/MB/NET0/IOVNET.PF0.VF0
Finally, reboot the primary root domain to make the changes take effect.
primary# shutdown -i6 -g0 -yExample 10 Creating Multiple SR-IOV Ethernet Virtual Functions
The following command shows how you can create four virtual functions from the /SYS/MB/NET2/IOVNET.PF1 physical function:
primary# ldm create-vf -n 31 /SYS/MB/NET2/IOVNET.PF1 Created new vf: /SYS/MB/NET2/IOVNET.PF1.VF0 Created new vf: /SYS/MB/NET2/IOVNET.PF1.VF1 Created new vf: /SYS/MB/NET2/IOVNET.PF1.VF2 ... Created new vf: /SYS/MB/NET2/IOVNET.PF1.VF30
Note that the ldm create-vf -n command creates multiple virtual functions that are set with default property values, if appropriate. You can later specify non-default property values by using the ldm set-io command.