The inventive multiple partition computer system allows the
reconfiguration of the installed hardware, possibly while the various
partitions continue normal operations. This aspect includes adding and
removing process cell boards and I/O from partitions which may or may not
continue to run. The invention also allows changes to the association
between cells, I/O and partitions. The partitions may be able to stay
running, or may have to be shut down from the resulting changes. In the
invention, multiple copies of the OS are running independently of each
other, each in a partition that has its own cell boards with processors
and memory and connected I/O. This provides isolation between different
applications. Consequently, a fatal error in one partition would not
affect the other partitions. A network of micro-controllers connected to
a service processor, via a communications link, provides the service
processor with information on each of the different cells, as well as a
pathway to receive requests for configuration changes, and a pathway to
command changes in the different cells or I/O. The combination of the
service processor and the micro-controllers support dynamic changes to
the partition configuration.