Mainframe, MVS and zOS Discussion

Hello All !
I have a question about deference between IOCDS and LPAR IODF !
Imagine that you have a machine with 5 independent LPAR ( each LPAR , one z/OS ) ! when we design IOCDS for our machine, we must define our LPARs and their devices in IOCDS !
Now we want to IPL one of our z/OS, we need IODF for IPLing !

Can we use the same IOCDS ( production machine IODF that we created IOCDS ) to IPL our z/OS ??

Or we should define an independent IODF for each z/OS ???

Regards
Albert

The IOCDS defines the hardware configuration to the physical CPC (central processor complex). The IODF defines the hardware configuration to the operating system. The IOCDS allows the various devices, channels, etc. to understand what is attached to the box while the IODF allows the operating system to understand the various devices, channels, etc. and their relationship. Both are important. One definition will (usually) serve for all the LPARs on a box (CPC). Generally, only one IOCDS and IODF is needed since you can define multiple LPARs with it. It would be a waste of time and resources to attempt to define one IODF per LPAR -- especially since if they don't agree you could wind up with devices boxed, channels that cannot be used, and so forth.

Thanks Robert for your help