a distributed shared memory multiprocessor computer system is provided , which has a number of processors and is divided into partitions . each partition has within it one or more of the processors , and may also have memory or cache and other related hardware . although each partition works together and communicates with other partitions to share computational load , the partitions each are independently operable and execute an independent copy of the operating system . the partitions comprise additional features to enable removal of a partition from the operating computer system , and to enable insertion of hardware into the operating computer system .