- IBM VIOS Insallation DVD
- IBM AIX Installation CD Disk 1 (I used AIX 5.3)
- AIX NIM Server (I used AIX 5.3)
- Power Series 5
 | Many Thanks
Many thanks goes out to the IBM's ITCAM Test Team in Austin! |
Step 1. Prepare Installation files:
- 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 limit 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.
cd /etc/security
vi limits
fsize = -1
reboot
- 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
- Copy installation files from cdrom:
mkdir /export/VIOS
cd /cdrom/nimol/ioserver_res
cp bosinst.data /export/VIOS
cd /cdrom/usr/sys/inst.images
cp mksysb_image /export/VIOS
Step 2. Define NIM Resources:
- Define the mksysb_image resource object
nim -o define -t mksysb -a location=/export/VIOS/mksysb_image -a server=master vios_mksysb
- 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
- Define the bosinst resource object
nim -o define -t bosinst_data -a location=/export/VIOS/bosinst.data -a server=master vios_bosinst
- Define the lpp_source resource object
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 dont 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.
- On the Power 5 HMC, right click on Partitions and select Create -> Locical Partition
- Enter a Parition ID and a Partition name. Under Partition environment, select Virtual I/O server.
- Select Next.
- Configure the workload group, otherwise select No. Select Next.
- Enter a Profile Name. Select Next.
- Enter select the amount of Minimum memory, Desired memory, and Maximum memory. I usually use 2 GB throughout all three. Select Next.
- Select a Processing mode. I use Dedicated. Select Next.
- If using Dedicated, enter the Minimum processors, Desired processors, and Maximum processors. I usually use 4 processors throughout all three. Select Next.
- Select your Hardware Configuration that you wish to use for your environment. Select Next.
- Configure I/O pools - Leave these as the default. Select Next.
- Configure Virutal I/O adapters - I typically configure this part later. Select Next.
- Configure Power Controlling Partitions - Leave these as the default settings. Select Next.
- Optional Settings - Leave these as the default settings. Select Next.
- Verify settings and Select Finish.
Step 4. NIM VIOS LPAR:
- On the NIM server, start NIM: smit nim
- Select Perform NIM Software Installation and Maintenance Tasks
- Select Install and Update Software
- Select Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Client
- Select the machine to install VIOS on. If nothing appears, make sure you have created a stand alone system.
- Select mksysb - Install from a mksysb
- Select the vios_mksysb resource.
- Select vios_spot resource.
- Select the vios_lppsource resource.
- Select the vios_bosinst resource.
NOTE: Setting the "Remain as NIM client after install" as YES can cause errors when configuring your shared ethernet adapters after install.
- Press Enter to start the NIM process.
