ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

HOWTO: Install a NIM server

Contributed by Michael Felt

This article describes installation from the base CD (in this case AIX DVD with oslevel 6100-06-01-1043).

Once you complete the instructions in this article you can be installing AIX Hands-Free.

A later article will show how to copy and update an lpp_source to a newer oslevel.

Updated with scripts you can copy/paste to create volume group and file systems!

Flash - can you explain error BA010005?

A 8+ minute Flash film (narrated) demonstrating hands-free installation of AIX - in real time!

{mospagebreak title=Introduction}

NIM installation scenarios

There are two basic scenarios for installing NIM servers. In this article ROOTvg.NET provides instrustions for the first
scenario. In other articles on ROOTVG.NET there are instructions for updating NIM servers, in particular using SUMA:

- Install AIX NIM from a CD without updating the nim resources to the latest levels (i.e. I only use DVD images I have in
house)

-
Install from a DVD then use SUMA or Fix Central to update the system
that will function as NIM server before creating the nim resources,
especially before installing the nim spot and master filesets.

Key elements

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

- Install AIX base system

- Create a volume group for NIM resources

- Create a mksysb file to be used later as nim resource

- Complete AIX installation and add SSH support

- Configure NIM master

- Define Installation Resources

- Define and Install NIM clients - hands free

Install AIX base system

Personally, I prefer installing a NIM server outside of a POWER system as a stand-alone unit - use older systems (at
least POWER4 to support all versions of AIX) - but generally I see NIM servers being installed as a partition or LPAR of
a POWER system. Install AIX via the console or the HMC supplied virtual console. When the installation completes and
AIX reboots - just do the minimum: accept licenses. Do not set a root password, do not setup any network configuration
information. Ideally, you will have have only one ethernet (ent0) interface configured into your partition.

Create a volume group for NIM resources

On a second disk I generally use the following naming scheme:

Volume Group: vgNim

Logical Volumes:

lgNim - jfs2log - 1 partition

lvtftpb - jfs2 - 64 Mbyte as /tftpboot for when Nim spots are made

lvExp - jfs2 - 64 Mbyte as /export (/export/nim resources)

lvMksb - jfs2 - 4 Gbyte as /export/mksysb/6106 (i.e. AIX vers.)

lvoslevel - jfs2 - 4 Gbyte as /export/6106 (for lpp)

lvoslevels - jfs2 - 2 Gbyte as /export/6106/spot (for spot)

Many people just make a very large /export partition and never think to include /tftpboot.

Example

So, after the intial install of AIX and accepting the licenses, and BEFORE I enter any TCPIP information or root password
I do the following:

login as root
Example script

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

#!/usr/bin/ksh

clear

echo "AIXTOOLS and ROOTVG.NET script to assist with NIM installation based on host's oslevel"

echo ==========

echo Choose a disk from the list below to create and configure NIM volume group

lspv

echo ==========

echo "Enter disk to create NIM volume group:\c"

read hdisk

mkvg -y vgNim ${hdisk}

[[ $? -ne 0 ]] && echo mkvg failed, exiting && exit

mklv -t jfs2log -y lgNim vgNim 1

mklv -t jfs2 -y lvtftpb vgNim 64M

mklv -t jfs2 -y lvExp vgNim 64M

mklv -t jfs2 -y lvMksb vgNim 4G

OSLEVEL=`oslevel -s | cut -c 1-2,6-7`

mklv -t jfs2 -y lv${OSLEVEL} vgNim 4G

mklv -t jfs2 -y lv${OSLEVEL}s vgNim 2G

lsvg -l vgNim

# clear

# lspv

hdisk0 00f67207e26dbb8d rootvg active

hdisk1 none None

# mkvg -y vgNim hdisk1

0516-1254 mkvg: Changing the PVID in the ODM.

vgNim

# mklv -t jfs2log -y lgNim vgNim 1

lgNim

# mklv -t jfs2 -y lvtftpb vgNim 64M

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

lvtftpb

# mklv -t jfs2 -y lvExp vgNim 64M

lvExp

# mklv -t jfs2 -y lvMksb vgNim 4G

lvMksb

# OSLEVEL=`oslevel -s | cut -c 1-2,6-7`

# mklv -t jfs2 -y lv${OSLEVEL} vgNim 4G

lv6106
# mklv -t jfs2 -y lv${OSLEVEL}s vgNim 2G

lv6106sNext before creating the filesystems, I logform (format the lgNim jfs2log). Then I create and mount the
filesystems one by one.

#!/usr/bin/ksh

clear

echo "AIXTOOLS and ROOTVG.NET script to assist with NIM installation based on host's oslevel"

echo ==========

OSLEVEL=`oslevel -s | cut -c 1-2,6-7`

echo y | logform /dev/lgNim

crfs -v jfs2 -d lvtftpb -m /tftpboot -A yes -u nim

mount /tftpboot

crfs -v jfs2 -d lvExp -m /export -A yes -u nim

mount /export

crfs -v jfs2 -d lvMksb -m /export/mksysb -A yes -u nim

mount /export/mksysb

mkdir /export/mksysb/${OSLEVEL}

crfs -v jfs2 -d lv${OSLEVEL} -m /export/${OSLEVEL} -A yes -u nim

mount /export/${OSLEVEL}

crfs -v jfs2 -d lv${OSLEVEL}s -m /export/${OSLEVEL}/spot -A yes -u nim

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

mount /export/${OSLEVEL}/spot

lsvg -l vgNim

# echo y | logform /dev/lgNim

# crfs -?

Usage: crfs -v Vfs {-g Volumegroup | -d Device} -m Mountpoint

[-u Mountgroup] [-A {yes|no}] [-t {yes|no}] [-p {ro|rw}]

[-l Logpartitions] [-n nodename] [-a Attribute=Value]

# crfs -v jfs2 -d lvtftpb -m /tftpboot -A yes -u nim

File system created successfully.

65328 kilobytes total disk space.

New File System size is 131072

# mount /tftpboot

# crfs -v jfs2 -d lvExp -m /export -A yes -u nim

File system created successfully.

65328 kilobytes total disk space.

New File System size is 131072

# mount /export

# crfs -v jfs2 -d lvMksb -m /export/mksysb -A yes -u nim

File system created successfully.

4193972 kilobytes total disk space.

New File System size is 8388608

# mount /export/mksysb

# mkdir /export/mksysb/6106

# crfs -v jfs2 -d lv6106 -m /export/6106 -A yes -u nim

File system created successfully.

4193972 kilobytes total disk space.

New File System size is 8388608

# mount /export/6106

# crfs -v jfs2 -d lv6106s -m /export/6106/spot -A yes -u nim

File system created successfully.

2096884 kilobytes total disk space.

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

New File System size is 4194304

# mount /export/6106/spot# lsvg -l vgNim

vgNim:

LV NAME TYPE LPs PPs PVs LV STATE MOUNT POINT

lgNim jfs2log 1 1 1 open/syncd N/A

lvtftpb jfs2 2 2 1 open/syncd /tftpboot

lvExp jfs2 2 2 1 open/syncd /export

lvMksb jfs2 128 128 1 open/syncd /export/mksysb

lv6106 jfs2 128 128 1 open/syncd /export/6106

lv6106s jfs2 64 64 1 open/syncd /export/6106/spot

{mospagebreak title=Create mksysb}

Create a mksysb file to be used later as nim resource

Now make a backup of the current system BEFORE configuring any nim resources in the image.

Something I like to have in my default image is unlimited file size for root. Consider adding this command before making
the mksysb resource.

# chuser fsize=-1 root

You will need to logout and login again to make it effective

# ulimit -a

# oslevel -s

6100-06-01-1043

# export OSLEVEL=`oslevel -s | cut -c 1-2,6-7`

# mkdir -p /export/mksysb/${OSLEVEL}

# mksysb -X -i /export/mksysb/${OSLEVEL}/`oslevel -s`.mksb

Creating information file (/image.data) for rootvg.

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

Creating list of files to back up.

Backing up 68942 files..............

68942 of 68942 files (100%)

0512-038 mksysb: Backup Completed Successfully.

{mospagebreak title=Activate TCPIP and install SSH support}

Complete AIX installation and install SSH support

Now we start the regular configuration.

Set a password, then

# smitty mktcpip, en0 # no DNS for the moment

Minimum Configuration & Startup

To Delete existing configuration data, please use Further Configuration menus

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[TOP] [Entry Fields]

* HOSTNAME [nim41]

* Internet ADDRESS (dotted decimal) [10.3.92.41]

Network MASK (dotted decimal) [255.255.255.0]

* Network INTERFACE en0

NAMESERVER

Internet ADDRESS (dotted decimal) []

DOMAIN Name []

Default Gateway

Address (dotted decimal or symbolic name) [10.3.92.254]

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00
 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

Cost [] #

Do Active Dead Gateway Detection? no +

[MORE...2]

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List

Esc+5=Reset F6=Command F7=Edit F8=Image

F9=Shell F10=Exit Enter=Do

Since we are not using DNS initially, add the hostnames and IP addresses to the /etc/hosts file

# vi /etc/hosts

10.3.92.41 nim41

10.3.92.31 c31

10.3.92.32 c32

10.3.92.33 c33

Install the ssh_server bundle

# smitty easy_install

Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

/dev/cd0 (Virtual SCSI Optical Served by VIO Server)

openssh_server

Install Software Bundle

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[TOP] [Entry Fields]

* INPUT device / directory for software /dev/cd0

* BUNDLE openssh_server

* SOFTWARE to install [all] +

PREVIEW only? (install operation will NOT occur) no

COMMIT software updates? yes +

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00
 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

SAVE replaced files? no +

AUTOMATICALLY install requisite software? yes +

EXTEND file systems if space needed? yes +

VERIFY install and check file sizes? no +

Include corresponding LANGUAGE filesets? yes +

DETAILED output? no +

Process multiple volumes? yes +

ACCEPT new license agreements? yes +

[MORE...81]

Selected Filesets

openssh.base.server 5.4.0.6100 # Open Secure Shell Server

openssh.man.en_US 5.4.0.6100 # Open Secure Shell Documentat...

openssh.msg.en_US 5.4.0.6100 # Open Secure Shell Messages -...

openssl.license 0.9.8.1300 ; # Open Secure Socket License

Requisites

----------

(being installed automatically; required by filesets listed above)

openssh.base.client 5.4.0.6100 # Open Secure Shell Commands

openssl.license 0.9.8.1300 USR APPLY SUCCESS

openssh.base.client 5.4.0.6100 USR APPLY SUCCESS

openssh.base.server 5.4.0.6100 USR APPLY SUCCESS

openssh.base.client 5.4.0.6100 ROOT APPLY SUCCESS

openssh.base.server 5.4.0.6100 ROOT APPLY SUCCESS

openssh.msg.en_US 5.4.0.6100 USR APPLY SUCCESS

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00
 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

openssh.man.en_US 5.4.0.6100 USR APPLY SUCCESS

File /etc/group has been modified.

File /etc/passwd has been modified.

# lssrc -s sshd

Subsystem Group PID Status

sshd ssh 6553758 active

{mospagebreak title=Install and Configure NIM MASTER}

Install and Configure NIM MASTER filesets

Now is the time to redo your mksysb image - if you want to - because once the nim master and spot are installed the
mksysb image is no longer suitable for a nim client!

Install the nim master filesets

# installp -acgX -d /dev/cd0 bos.sysmgt.nim.spot bos.sysmgt.nim.master

Installation Summary

--------------------

Name Level Part Event Result

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

bos.sysmgt.nim.spot 6.1.6.0 USR APPLY SUCCESS

bos.sysmgt.nim.master 6.1.6.0 USR APPLY SUCCESS

Configure NIM master

# smitty nim

Network Installation Management

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

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

NIM POWER5 Tools

Thin Server Maintenance

Configure the NIM Environment

Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

Configure a Basic NIM Environment (Easy Startup)

Advanced Configuration

Advanced Configuration

Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

Initialize the NIM Master Only

Create Basic Installation Resources

Create Diskless/Dataless Client Resources

Create NIM System Bundles for Installation

Define NIM Client Machines

Configure Network Installation Management Master Fileset

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

[Entry Fields]

* Network Name [n392]

* Primary Network Install Interface [en0] +

Allow Machines to Register Themselves as Clients? [yes] +

Alternate Port Numbers for Network Communications

(reserved values will be used if left blank)

Client Registration [] #

Client Communications [] #

COMMAND STATUS

Command: OK stdout: yes stderr: no

Before command completion, additional instructions may appear below.

0513-071 The nimesis Subsystem has been added.

0513-071 The nimd Subsystem has been added.

0513-059 The nimesis Subsystem has been started. Subsystem PID is 5963966.

# lsnim

master machines master

boot resources boot

nim_script resources nim_script

n392 networks ent

{mospagebreak title=Define Installation Resources}

Define Installation Resources

The first resource to create is a generic mksysb image.

# ls -l /export/mksysb/*/*mksb

-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 2252595200 Mar 02 16:11 /export/mksysb/6106/6100-06-01-1043.mksb

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00
 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

# nim -o define -t mksysb -a server=master -a location=/export/mksysb/${OSLEVEL}/`oslevel -s`.mksb

mksb_${OSLEVEL}_generic

# lsnim

master machines master

boot resources boot

nim_script resources nim_script

n392 networks ent

mksb_6106_generic resources mksysb

The classic NIM resources: lpp_source and spot

# nim -o define -t lpp_source -a server=master -a source=/dev/cd0 -a location=/export/${OSLEVEL}/lpp lpp_${OSLEVEL}

Preparing to copy install images (this will take several minutes)...

/export/6106/lpp/RPMS/ppc/cdrecord-1.9-7.aix5.2.ppc.rpm

/export/6106/lpp/RPMS/ppc/mkisofs-1.13-4.aix4.3.ppc.rpm

/export/6106/lpp/RPMS/ppc/expect-5.42.1-3.aix6.1.ppc.rpm

/export/6106/lpp/RPMS/ppc/tcl-8.4.7-3.aix6.1.ppc.rpm

/export/6106/lpp/RPMS/ppc/tk-8.4.7-3.aix6.1.ppc.rpm

/export/6106/lpp/installp/ppc/xlC.sup.aix50.rte.9.0.0.1.I

/export/6106/lpp/installp/ppc/xlC.rte.11.1.0.1.I

....

/export/6106/lpp/installp/ppc/Java5_64.sdk.5.0.0.345.I

/export/6106/lpp/installp/ppc/Java5.sdk.5.0.0.345.I

/export/6106/lpp/installp/ppc/ICU4C.rte.6.1.6.0.I

/export/6106/lpp/installp/ppc/DirectorPlatformAgent.6.2.0.1.I

/export/6106/lpp/installp/ppc/DirectorCommonAgent.6.2.0.1.I

Now checking for missing install images...

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

All required install images have been found. This lpp_source is now ready.

# nim -o define -t spot -a server=master -a source=lpp_${OSLEVEL} -a location=/export/${OSLEVEL}/spot

spot_${OSLEVEL}

Creating SPOT in "/export/6106/spot" on machine "master" from "lpp_6106" ...

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

....

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Summaries:

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+

....

Checking filesets and network boot images for SPOT "spot_6106".

This may take several minutes ...

# lsnim

master machines master

boot resources boot

nim_script resources nim_script

n392 networks ent

mksb_6106_generic resources mksysb

spot_6106 resources spot

lpp_6106 resources lpp_source

# lssrc -g nim

Subsystem Group PID Status

nimesis nim 5963966 active

# lssrc -a | grep tftp

tftpd tcpip 6947032 active

{mospagebreak title=Handsfree Installation!}

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

Add/Modify resources to support handsfree installation of clients with ssh support

Remember, I only installed the ssh_server bundle after I had made the mksysb resource. The generaic mksysb lacks ssh
support - on purpose. I want each installation to generate it's own unique host ID.

What you may not be aware of is that the default lpp_resource created by nim does not include the software we need to
install ssh_server support on AIX clients. To add this support to our installation we need to

- add software to the lpp_resource

- add a software_bundle resource that NIM can install during the installation

- add bosinst_data resource for hands free installation

If you dont do it this way you run the risk of having the same hostid
credentials in the /etc/ssh directory on all your systems.

On the nim server I have the following filesets installed to support ssh:

# lslpp -L | grep open

openssh.base.client 5.4.0.6100 C F Open Secure Shell Commands

openssh.base.server 5.4.0.6100 C F Open Secure Shell Server

openssh.man.en_US 5.4.0.6100 C F Open Secure Shell

openssh.msg.en_US 5.4.0.6100 C F Open Secure Shell Messages -

openssl.base 0.9.8.1300 C F Open Secure Socket Layer

openssl.license 0.9.8.1300 C F Open Secure Socket License

openssl.man.en_US 0.9.8.1300 C F Open Secure Socket Layer

In the lpp_source only the following filesets are installed

# nim -o showres lpp_6106 | grep open

openssl.base 0.9.8.1300 I N usr,root

openssl.license 0.9.8.1300 I N usr

openssl.man.en_US 0.9.8.1300 I N usr

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00
 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

To help update the the lpp_resource with the software we need we will first create the installp_bundle resource and use
that to tell nim what software to add to the lpp_resource. In short, use nim resources whnever you can to help prevent
ommissions.

Because all our resources are to be in a seperate volume group copy the standard bundle to /export/nim and then define
the copy as the resource

# cp /usr/sys/inst.data/sys_bundles/openssh_server.bnd /export/nim

# nim -o define -t installp_bundle -a server=master -a location=/export/nim/openssh_server.bnd openssh_serverAnd now

you can use the bundle to update the lpp_source with the software needed by the bundle

# nim -o update -a source=/dev/cd0 -a installp_bundle=openssh_server lpp_${OSLEVEL}

/export/6106/lpp/installp/ppc/openssh.man.en_US.5.4.0.6100.I

/export/6106/lpp/installp/ppc/openssh.base.5.4.0.6100.I

bosinst_data resource for hands free installation

The last resource we need is a bos_install resource - for hands-free installation. Again we copy a file from the master
system to the NIM volume group and define it. This time though, we also modify the resource. Read carefully!

# cp /bosinst.data /export/nim/bosinst_hdisk0_install

When we made our initial mksysb one side effect was that the file /bosinst.data was made with default settings. For an
automatic installation there are a number of lines we need to change:

The lines to change are from:

PROMPT = yes

RECOVER_DEVICES = Default

ACCEPT_LICENSES =

ACCEPT_SWMA =
http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00
 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

IMPORT_USER_VGS =

to:

PROMPT = no

RECOVER_DEVICES = no

ACCEPT_LICENSES = yes

ACCEPT_SWMA = yes

IMPORT_USER_VGS = no

And simplify the target_disk_data: stanza from:

target_disk_data:

PVID = 00f67207e26dbb8d

PHYSICAL_LOCATION = U8233.E8B.107207P-V41-C21-T1-L8100000000000000

CONNECTION = vscsi0//810000000000

LOCATION =

SIZE_MB = 70006

HDISKNAME = hdisk0

to:

target_disk_data:

HDISKNAME = hdisk0

Remember it is the file /export/nim/bosinst_hdisk0_install that needs to be edited.

Then make the last nim resource using:

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

# nim -o define -t bosinst_data -a server=master -a location="/export/nim/bosinst_hdisk0_install" bosinst_hd0

The completed nim resources are:

# lsnim

master machines master

boot resources boot

nim_script resources nim_script

n392 networks ent

mksb_6106_generic resources mksysb

spot_6106 resources spot

lpp_6106 resources lpp_source

openssh_server resources installp_bundle

bosinst_hd0 resources bosinst_data

{mospagebreak title=Backup NIM Configuration for Easy Distribution or Replication}

Backup for Easy Distribution (optional)

At this point all the resources needed to install systems are prepared andthat makes it a good moment to make a
backup of the nim configuration and the volume group so that can be easily distributed to other servers. Normally this is
done usig smit - but using smit and F6 (or Esc-6) I determine the command I need is:

/usr/lpp/bos.sysmgt/nim/methods/m_backup_db $FILE

so I am just going to put my backup in /export/nim/nimdb.initial.backup

# /usr/lpp/bos.sysmgt/nim/methods/m_backup_db /export/nim/nimdb.initial.backup

a ./etc/objrepos/nim_attr 8 blocks.

a ./etc/objrepos/nim_attr.vc 8 blocks.

a ./etc/objrepos/nim_object 8 blocks.

a ./etc/objrepos/nim_object.vc 8 blocks.

a ./etc/NIM.level 1 blocks.

a ./etc/niminfo 1 blocks.
http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00
 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

a ./etc/NIM.primary.cpuid 1 blocks.

And with that saved into /export I'll make a logical volume in the extra space I have in rootvg and put the savevg file there
until I have time to transport it to a DVD.

# df -g | grep /export

/dev/lvExp 0.06 0.06 1% 10 1% /export

/dev/lvMksb 4.00 1.85 54% 6 1% /export/mksysb

/dev/lv6106 4.00 1.95 52% 607 1% /export/6106

/dev/lv6106s 2.00 1.36 33% 16140 5% /export/6106/spot

# mklv -y lvNimBackup -t jfs2 rootvg 8G

lvNimBackup

# crfs -v jfs2 -m /tmp/nimBackup -d lvNimBackup

File system created successfully.

8388148 kilobytes total disk space.

New File System size is 16777216

# mount /tmp/nimBackup

Usage: savevg [-X] [-V] [-i] [-m] [-e] [-b blocks] [-f device] [-p] [-v] [-r] [-a] [-A] [-Z] vgName

-X Expand /tmp if needed.

-V Verify backup readability (tape only).

-i Create the <vgname>.data file.

-m Create the <vgname>.data file and physical partition maps.

-e Exclude the files/directories listed in /etc/exclude.<vgname>.

-v List files as they are backed up.

-p Do not pack files as they are backed up.

-b blocks Number of 512-byte blocks to write in a single

output operation.

-f device Name of device to receive the backup information.

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

Default is /dev/rmt0

-r Back up the user Volume Group information files only.

-a Do not backup extended attributes or NFS4 ACLs

-A Back up DMAPI filesystem files.

-Z Do not back up encrypted files.

vgName Name of Volume Group to backup.

# echo ${OSLEVEL}

6106

# savevg -i -f /tmp/nimBackup/vgNim.${OSLEVEL}.savevg vgNim

Creating information file for volume group vgNim.

Creating list of files to back up.

Backing up 18608 files.........

18608 of 18608 files (100%)

0512-038 savevg: Backup Completed Successfully.

# ls -l /tmp/nimBackup

total 9558208

drwxr-xr-x 2 root system 256 Mar 06 09:43 lost+found

-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 4893798400 Mar 06 09:49 vgNim.6106.savevg

{mospagebreak title=Define NIM Clients and Setup NIM Installation}

Define Machines and Perform NIM Installations

Define Machines

You will probably want to use nim to define machines, but it is worth the time spent to learn how to define systems via a
script. With the IP address already in /etc/hosts and sice we have no fear of a firewall blocking an bootp request in the
virtual ethernet what we need is a command to lookup the MAC address of the partition we want to install.

HMC command to get a MAC addresses

mamfelt@hmc123:~> lshwres
http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00
 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

-m SysName -r virtualio --level lpar --rsubtype eth -F

"lpar_name,lpar_id,slot_num,mac_addr" --filter
"\"lpar_names=c31,c32,c33\""

c31,31,11,E630F7256C0B

c32,32,11,E630F20C8C0B

c33,33,11,E630F7D3BD0B

Define a nim client with a MAC address - manually

# nim -o define -t standalone -a if1="n392 c32 E630F20C8C0B" c32

# lsnim -l c32

c32:

class = machines

type = standalone

connect = shell

platform = chrp

netboot_kernel = 64

if1 = n392 c32 E630F20C8C0B

cable_type1 = N/A

Cstate = ready for a NIM operation

prev_state = ready for a NIM operation

Mstate = not running

Define nim clients using HMC output - more automated

For example, when all

systems have the primary ethernet interface on virtual slot 11 (i.e.
en0) you could create the nim machine definitions using:

ssh hscuser@hmc123 'lshwres -m SysName -r virtualio --level lpar --rsubtype eth -F "lpar_name,mac_addr" --filter
"slots=11,lpar_names=\"c31,c32,c33\""' | \

awk -F, ' { print "n392", $1, $2 } ' | \

(while read a b c; do \

echo nim -o define -t standalone -a if1=\"$a $b $c\" $b; \

nim -o define -t standalone -a if1="$a $b $c" $b; \

done)

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00

 ROOTVG - AIX, LinuxOnPower & POWER Systems Portal

Prepare resources for installation

# nim -o bos_inst -a lpp_source=lpp_6106 -a spot=spot_6106 \

-a mksysb=mksb_6106_generic -a bosinst_data=bosinst_hd0 \

-a installp_bundle=openssh_server -a accept_licenses=yes \

-a source=mksysb -a no_client_boot=yes -a preserve_res=yes c32

Flash! And as last step use the HMC to activate the partition and wait for the install to complete! FLASH!

http://www.rootvg.net Powered by Joomla! Generated: 2 March, 2021, 14:00