Using NIM to Install AIX

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There are numerous ways to install AIX. This post details the installation of AIX using a nim server via the AIX installation media. This post is expecting that the LPAR has already been created and has the required resources already configured (PVs, ethernet devices, etc). First one will navigate to the Entitled Systems Support from IBMs website. This website will require an IBM userid, and the ESS area is typically only accessible with a support contract with IBM. For this post, I downloaded the latest aix 7.2 ISO (as of this writing). This file is going to be uploaded to the NIM master, and the specific definitions and what not will be created there.

Download the AIX media image to:
/nim/tmp/AIX_v7.2_Install_7200-05-02-2114_flash_042021_LCD8236410.iso

Setup the directories and define the lpp_source:
mkdir -p /nim/lpp_source/lpp_aix7200_05_02
nim -o define -t lpp_source -a server=master -a location=/nim/lpp_source/lpp_aix7200_05_02 -a source=/nim/tmp/AIX_v7.2_Install_7200-05-02-2114_flash_042021_LCD8236410.iso lpp7200_05_02

Create the spot definition:
nim -o define -t spot -a server=master -a location=/nim/spot -a source=/nim/tmp/AIX_v7.2_Install_7200-05-02-2114_flash_042021_LCD8236410.iso spot_aix7200_05_02

Create the bosinst.data: (optional)
loopmount -i /nim/tmp/AIX_v7.2_Install_7200-05-02-2114_flash_042021_LCD8236410.iso -m /nim/mnt -o "-V udfs -o ro"
mkdir -p /nim/bosinst.data/7200_05_02
cp /nim/mnt/bostinst.data /nim/bosinst.data/7200_05_02/
umount /nim/mnt
nim -o define -t bosinst_data -a server=master -a location=/nim/bosinst.data/7200_05_02/bosinst.data bosinst_data_7200_05_02

Nim Network definition (only if required)
This step is only required if you don’t have the required network configured in your nim environment.
nim -o define -t ent -a net_addr=10.1.1.0 -a snm=255.255.255.0 -a routing1="default 10.1.1.1" -a comments="test_network" 10_1_1_0

NIM client definition. Here we’ll create the nim client. You should already have the Fully Qualified Domain Name, MAC address and IP address to use: (if you don’t have the MAC, spark up the LPAR and go into SMS, Logical Lan)
nim -o define -t standalone -a platform=chrp -a if1="10_1_1_0 FQDN MACADDRESS" -a cable_type1=tp -a netboot_kernel=mp -a connect=shell nimclient1

NOTE: Replace the FQDN with the Fully Qualified Domain Name for the server in question, and replace the MACADDRESS for the mac address of the target LPAR in question, in this case nimclient1

Allocate the resources to the nim client:
nim -o allocate -a bosinst_data=bosinst_data_7200_05_02 nimclient1
nim -o allocate -a lpp_source=lpp7200_05_02 nimclient1
nim -o allocate -a spot=spot_aix7200_05_02 nimclient1

AIX Client
Now that everything is configured, the next phase is to boot the LPAR and do perform the AIX installation. You will boot the LPAR using the virtual console.

  • Activate LPAR nimclient1
  • Enter SMS Menu
  • Select Setup Remote IPL (Initial Program Load)
  • Select Interpartition Logical Lan (confirming MAC address)
  • Select IPv4 address format
  • Select bootp
  • Select IP paramaters, then configure the addresses: (example)
    • Client IP address: 10.1.1.50
    • Server IP Address: 10.1.1.3
    • Gateway IP Address: 10.1.1.1
    • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
  • depress ESC to go back a level
  • Select ping test.
  • If settings look good, select 1 to perform ping test
  • If ping test successful, hit M to go the main menu in SMS menu’s

Now that you have configured the IP information, you are ready to attempt booting from the network.

  • Select Boot Options
  • Select Install Device (usually option 1)
  • Select Network
  • Select BOOTP
  • Select Interpartition Logical LAN
  • Select Normal Mode Boot
  • Select 1 to exit SMS

Perform the AIX installation:
nim -o bos_inst -a source=rte -a lpp_source=lpp7200_05_02 -a spot=spot_aix7200_05_02 -a accept_licenses=yes -a boot_client=no nimclient1

After you exit SMS and run the command above, the nimclient LPAR should indicate its network configuration and attempt to boot via tftp.

BOOTP Parameters:
————————————————————–
chosen-network-type = ethernet,auto,rj45,auto
server IP = 10.1.1.3
client IP = 10.1.1.50
gateway IP = 10.1.1.1
device = /vdevice/l-lan@30000002
MAC address = 00 01 a1 c1 b0 02
loc-code = UXXX.XXE.0000000-V5-C2-T1

TFTP BOOT —————————————————
Server IP…………………10.1.1.3
Client IP…………………10.1.1.50
Gateway IP………………..10.1.1.1
Subnet Mask……………….255.255.255.0
( 1 ) Filename……………../tftpboot/nimclient1.example.com
TFTP Retries………………5
Block Size………………..512

As it receives packets, the FINAL pack count and final file size will increase. Afterwords, you’ll get the standard “Welcome to AIX” screen. The system will continue to boot into the AIX installation menus. Once it’s loaded, you’ll see:

                       Welcome to Base Operating System
                       Installation and Maintenance

Type the number of your choice and press Enter. Choice is indicated by >>>.

1 Start Install Now with Default Settings

2 Change/Show Installation Settings and Install

3 Start Maintenance Mode for System Recovery

4 Make Additional Disks Available

5 Select Storage Adapters

Normally one selects option 2 change/show the installation settings. Things of interest will probably be:

  • 2 Primary Language Environment Settings
  • 4 More Options
  • 5 Select Edition

Navigate through the menus updating things as required. Then start the installation. When the installation completes, the system will automatically reboot, and load normally. Once it is complete, you should be sitting at the login window.

Category: AIX