Friday, 17 June 2016



HOW to INSTALL VIOS over NIM :

The Virtual I/O Server is part of the  eServer p5 Advanced Power Virtualization hardware feature. Virtual I/O Server allows sharing of physical resources between LPARs including virtual SCSI and virtual networking. This allows more efficient utilization of physical resources through sharing between LPARs and facilitates server consolidation.


Step 1. Prepare Installation files:

   1. AIX File Limit Size
      You must ensure that your file size security limitation isn't going to stop you from copying your mksysb image from your cdrom to your hard drive. On your NIM server, go to the /etc/security directory and edit the limits file. Change the fsize to -1 or something large enough to ensure the mksysb image will copy over. You will need to reboot your system for this to take place, or you can log out and log in again.

          cd /etc/security
          vi limits
          fsize = -1
          reboot or logout

   2. Insert and Mount VIOS DVD

          smitty mountfs
          FILE SYSTEM name: /dev/cd0
          DIRECTORY over which to mount: /cdrom
          TYPE of file system: cdrfs
          Mount as a READ-ONLY system? yes
          (or mkdir /cdrom
          mount -v cdrfs -o ro /dev/cd0 /cdrom )

   3. Copy installation files from cdrom:

          mkdir /export/VIOS
          cd /cdrom/nimol/ioserver_res

          -rw-r--r--   1 root     system     11969032 Jul 05 07:07 booti.chrp.mp.ent.Z
          -rw-r--r--   1 root     system          951 Jul 05 07:07 bosinst.data
          -rw-r--r--   1 root     system     40723208 Jul 05 07:07 ispot.tar.Z
          lrwxrwxrwx   1 root     system           38 Jul 05 07:07 mksysb -> ../../usr/sys/inst.images/mksysb_image

          cp bosinst.data /export/VIOS
          cd /cdrom/usr/sys/inst.images

          -rw-r--r--   1 root     system   1101926400 Jul 05 06:52 mksysb_image

          cp mksysb_image /export/VIOS
          For newer versions of vio like 1.5.2 & 2.1 you need to do the following:
          cp mksysb_image2 /export/VIOS
          cd /export/VIOS
          cat mksysb_image2 >> mksysb_image 

Step 2. Define NIM Resources:

   1. Define the mksysb_image resource object

          nim -o define -t mksysb -a location=/export/VIOS/mksysb_image -a server=master vios_mksysb

   2. Define the SPOT resource object

          mkdir /export/VIOSSPOT
          nim -o define -t spot -a server=master -a location=/export/VIOS/VIOSSPOT -a source=vios_mksysb vios_spot

      # nim -o define -t spot -a server=master -a location=/export/VIOS/VIOSSPOT -a so
      urce=vios_mksysb vios_spot

       Creating SPOT in "/export/VIOS/VIOSSPOT" on machine "master" from "vios_mksysb"
       ...

       Restoring files from BOS image.  This may take several minutes ...


       Checking filesets and network boot images for SPOT "vios_spot".
       This may take several minutes ...

   3. Define the bosinst resource object

          nim -o define -t bosinst_data -a location=/export/VIOS/bosinst.data -a server=master vios_bosinst

   4. Define the lpp_source resource object.
      ( You might skip this step if you wish as lpp_source provides extra filesets. But you should be able to install/run
      vio without lpp_source, same as AIX. Also note that different VIO version is based on different AIX version.
      You need to find which AIX version you need to create the lpp_source. Run lsnim -l vios_mksysb and you will
      see the AIX version. You need that CD to create the lpp_source. For example for VIO 1.5 you need AIX 5.3
      TL7 CD1, for 1.5.2 you need AIX 5.3 TL8 CD1 for 2.1 you need AIX 6.1 TL2. But always run lsnim -l command
      on the mksysb or the spot you just created to find which AIX CD you need.)

Insert the first disk of the AIX installation.
NOTE: When trying to use the VIOS lpp_source, when trying to NIM an LPAR, you get a missing simages error. So instead, we will use the AIX installation CDs, which works just fine.

    umount /cdrom
    mkdir /export/VIOS/lppsource
    nim -o define -t lpp_source -a source=/dev/cd0 -a server=master -a location=/export/VIOS/lppsource vios_lppsource

Step 3. Create VIOS LPAR:
NOTE: I don't have any pictures of this part of the setup, but it should be obvious how this is done
NOTE: I give specifications for a typical VIOS server. Your environment may vary.

   1. On the Power 5 HMC, right click on Partitions and select Create -> Logical Partition
   2. Enter a Parition ID and a Partition name. Under Partition environment, select Virtual I/O server.
   3. Select Next.
   4. Configure the workload group, otherwise select No. Select Next.
   5. Enter a Profile Name. Select Next.
   6. Enter select the amount of Minimum memory, Desired memory, and Maximum memory. I usually use 2 GB throughout all three. Select Next.
   7. Select a Processing mode. I use Dedicated. Select Next.
   8. If using Dedicated, enter the Minimum processors, Desired processors, and Maximum processors. I usually use 4 processors throughout all three. Select Next.
   9. Select your Hardware Configuration that you wish to use for your environment. Select Next.
  10. Configure I/O pools - Leave these as the default. Select Next.
  11. Configure Virtual I/O adapters - I typically configure this part later. Select Next.
  12. Configure Power Controlling Partitions - Leave these as the default settings. Select Next.
  13. Optional Settings - Leave these as the default settings. Select Next.
  14. Verify settings and Select Finish.

Step 4. NIM VIOS LPAR:

   1. On the NIM server, start NIM: smit nim

      Network Installation Management

      Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

        Configure the NIM Environment
        Perform NIM Software Installation and Maintenance Tasks
        Perform NIM Administration Tasks
        Create IPL ROM Emulation Media

















      Esc+1=Help          Esc+2=Refresh       Esc+3=Cancel        Esc+8=Image
      Esc+9=Shell         Esc+0=Exit          Enter=Do

   2. Select Perform NIM Software Installation and Maintenance Tasks

      Perform NIM Software Installation and Maintenance Tasks

      Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

        Install and Update Software
        List Software and Related Information
        Software Maintenance and Utilities
        Alternate Disk Installation
        Manage Diskless/Dataless Machines
















      Esc+1=Help          Esc+2=Refresh       Esc+3=Cancel        Esc+8=Image
      Esc+9=Shell         Esc+0=Exit          Enter=Do

   3. Select Install and Update Software

      Install and Update Software

      Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

        Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
        Install Software
        Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)
        Install Software Bundle
        Update Software by Fix (APAR)
        Install and Update from ALL Available Software















      Esc+1=Help          Esc+2=Refresh       Esc+3=Cancel        Esc+8=Image
      Esc+9=Shell         Esc+0=Exit          Enter=Do

   4. Select Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Client

      Install and Update Software

      Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

        Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
        Install Software
        Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)
        Install Software Bundle
        Update Software by Fix (APAR)
        Install and Update from ALL Available Software






        +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
        |                    Select a TARGET for the operation                     |
        |                                                                          |
        | Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.                             |
        |                                                                          |
        |   reg-05     machines       standalone                                   |
        |                                                                          |
        | Esc+1=Help              Esc+2=Refresh           Esc+3=Cancel             |
        | Esc+8=Image             Esc+0=Exit              Enter=Do                 |
      Es| /=Find                  n=Find Next                                      |
      Es+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+

   5. Select the machine to install VIOS on. If nothing appears, make sure you have created a standalone system.

      Install and Update Software

      Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

        Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
        Install Software
        Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)
        Install Software Bundle
        Update Software by Fix (APAR)
        Install and Update from ALL Available Software




        +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
        |                       Select the installation TYPE                       |
        |                                                                          |
        | Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.                             |
        |                                                                          |
        |   rte - Install from installation images                                 |
        |   mksysb - Install from a mksysb                                         |
        |   spot - Install a copy of a SPOT resource                               |
        |                                                                          |
        | Esc+1=Help              Esc+2=Refresh           Esc+3=Cancel             |
        | Esc+8=Image             Esc+0=Exit              Enter=Do                 |
      Es| /=Find                  n=Find Next                                      |
      Es+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+

   6. Select mksysb - Install from a mksysb

      Install and Update Software

      Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

        Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
        Install Software
        Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)
        Install Software Bundle
        Update Software by Fix (APAR)
        Install and Update from ALL Available Software






        +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
        |              Select the MKSYSB to use for the installation               |
        |                                                                          |
        | Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.                             |
        |                                                                          |
        |   vios_mksysb     resources       mksysb                                 |
        |                                                                          |
        | Esc+1=Help              Esc+2=Refresh           Esc+3=Cancel             |
        | Esc+8=Image             Esc+0=Exit              Enter=Do                 |
      Es| /=Find                  n=Find Next                                      |
      Es+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+

   7. Select the vios_mksysb resource.

      Install and Update Software

      Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

        Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
        Install Software
        Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)
        Install Software Bundle
        Update Software by Fix (APAR)
        Install and Update from ALL Available Software






        +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
        |               Select the SPOT to use for the installation                |
        |                                                                          |
        | Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.                             |
        |                                                                          |
        |   vios_spot     resources       spot                                     |
        |                                                                          |
        | Esc+1=Help              Esc+2=Refresh           Esc+3=Cancel             |
        | Esc+8=Image             Esc+0=Exit              Enter=Do                 |
      Es| /=Find                  n=Find Next                                      |
      Es+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+

   8. Select vios_spot resource.
   9. Select the vios_lppsource resource.
  10. Select the vios_bosinst resource.

      Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients

      Type or select values in entry fields.
      Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

      [TOP]                                                   [Entry Fields]
      * Installation Target                                 reg-05
      * Installation TYPE                                   mksysb
      * SPOT                                                vios_spot
        LPP_SOURCE                                         [vios_lppsource]        +
        MKSYSB                                              vios_mksysb

        BOSINST_DATA to use during installation            [vios_bosinst]          +
        IMAGE_DATA to use during installation              []                      +
        RESOLV_CONF to use for network configuration       []                      +
        Customization SCRIPT to run after installation     []                      +
        Customization FB Script to run at first reboot     []                      +
          ACCEPT new license agreements?                   [no]                    +
        Remain NIM client after install?                   [yes]                   +
        PRESERVE NIM definitions for resources on          [yes]                   +
          this target?

        FORCE PUSH the installation?                       [no]                    +

      [MORE...31]

      Esc+1=Help          Esc+2=Refresh       Esc+3=Cancel        Esc+4=List
      Esc+5=Reset         Esc+6=Command       Esc+7=Edit          Esc+8=Image
      Esc+9=Shell         Esc+0=Exit          Enter=Do

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