T_I:

I'm probably misunderstanding your question, but is this what you're asking for?

if (! exists $LPAR_config{$key}) {
  die "We don't have $key!\n";
}
if ($LPAR_config{$key}{frame} eq "frame2"
    and $LPAR_config{$key}{lpar_id} == 1) {
  print "Found it!\n";
}
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...roboticus

When your only tool is a hammer, all problems look like your thumb.