How to configure a VIOS Media
Repository/Virtual Media Library (ex. AIX
Install/Restore)
Question & Answer
Question
What's the procedure to install an AIX base ISO to an AIX partition using a
VIOS media repository? What's the procedure to create/use/remove a virtual
media repository? Can a mksysb ISO be restored through the virtual media
repository?
Cause
This document provides a step by step command line procedure for using a
virtual media repository or Virtual Media Library (VML) to install/restore an AIX
partition.
This applies to VIOS version 2.2.x.
Answer
PART I. REQUIREMENTS BEFORE PROCEEDING
PART II. PERFORMING NEW AIX INSTALL WITH VML
PART III. PERFORMING MKSYSB RESTORE WITH MKSYSB ISO AND
VML
LPAR Placement sheet
PART I. REQUIREMENTS BEFORE PROCEEDING:
Please ensure the following requirements are met before proceeding:
1. There should be an existing pair of virtual scsi adapters paired between
the VIO server (vhost) and the VIO client (vscsi). Since the client may not have an
OS, the adapter pairing can be verified through the partition properties/profile on
the HMC or IVM.
2. A basic understanding of managing VIO virtual optical devices.
3. A basic understanding of the AIX Installation Menu and how to install
AIX.
Back to top
PART II. PERFORMING NEW AIX INSTALL WITH VML:
Step 1: Obtain AIX base ISO image from ESS and store on the VIO server.
AIX base ISO images can be obtained by contacting Entitled Software
Support (ESS) at 1-800-879-2755 option 2, option 2. The representatives
should be able to verify entitlement and guide customers on how to download
the ISO image. Once the AIX ISO image has been downloaded, the image
can be stored in the /home/padmin directory of the VIO server.
$ ls -al /home/padmin/AIX_iso
total 8687952
drwxr-xr-x 2 padmin staff 256 Apr 13 17:07 .
drwxr-x--- 9 padmin system 4096 Apr 13 17:10 ..
-rw-r--r-- 1 root staff 4448223232 Apr 13
17:08 AIX_6.1_Base_Operating_System_TL_6100-07-00_DVD_1_of_2_102011.iso
Step 2: Create/Modify the media repository
1. Create the repository in rootvg:
$ mkrep -sp rootvg -size 6G
Virtual Media Repository Created
Repository created within "VMLibrary" logical volume
2. Create the repository in a new VG:
$ mkvg -vg <new volume group name> hdisk#
$ mkrep -sp <repository name> -size 6G
3. Increasing the size of the media repository:
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
6118 6118 rootvg 139776 26624
$ chrep -size 4G > Adds an additional 4GB to the
repository
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 10198 rootvg 139776 22528
NOTE: Increasing the size is currently the only option. To reduce the size, the
repository will need to be removed and recreated.
Step 3: Create the virtual media disk
$ mkvopt -name <new media disk name> -file <ISO
filename> -ro
Example:
$ mkvopt -name base_61_TL7 -file /home/padmin/AIX_iso/A
IX_6.1_Base_Operating_System_TL_6100-07-
00_DVD_1_of_2_102011.iso -ro
NOTE: This command may take a few minutes to complete.
Step 4: Verify the virtual media disk is part of the repository
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528
Name File Size Optical Access
base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
Step 5: Create the file backed optical device and map it to a vhost:
~ Shown without the vtopt device ~
$lsmap –all
$ lsmap -vadapter vhost0
SVSA Physloc Client Partition ID
--------------- ---------------------------- -------------------
vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002
VTD L1_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
Backing device lpar1_lv
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
Create the vtopt device.
$ mkvdev -fbo -vadapter vhost0
vtopt0 Available
~ Shown with the vtopt device ~
$ lsmap -vadapter vhost0
SVSA Physloc Client Partition ID
--------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002
VTD vtopt0
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
NOTE: Additional vtopt devices can be created and mapped to other vhosts.
Consequently, each vtopt device will appear as a virtual CD_ROM device on
the clients' side. Furthermore, the same virtual media disk (base_61_TL7 in
this example) can be simultaneously loaded (in Step 6) onto more than one
virtual optical (vopt) device allowing the same virtual media disk (ISO image)
to be used to install more than one AIX client at the same time.
Step 6: Load the virtual media disk on the vtopt device:
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528
Name File Size Optical Access
base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
$ loadopt -vtd vtopt0 -disk base_61_TL7
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528
Name File Size Optical Access
base_61_TL7 4243 vtopt0 ro
Verify that the vtopt# backing device is the virtual media disk location.
$lsmap -vadapter vhost0
...
VTD vtopt0
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device /var/vio/VMLibrary/base_61_TL7
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
Step 7: Boot the client partition from the virtual optical device:
A.) Activate the AIX Partition to the SMS Menu
B.) Select the virtual optical device (CD-ROM)
SMS 1.7 (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2008 All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Menu
1. Select Language
2. Setup Remote IPL (Initial Program Load)
3. Change SCSI Settings
4. Select Console
5. Select Boot Options <<<
Multiboot
1. Select Install/Boot Device <<<
2. Configure Boot Device Order
3. Multiboot Startup <OFF>
Select Device Type
1. Diskette
2. Tape
3. CD/DVD
4. IDE
5. Hard Drive
6. Network
7. List all Devices <<<
Select Device
Device Current Device
Number Position Name
1. - Interpartition Logical LAN
( loc=U9117.MMA.10708D0-V2-C3-T1 )
2. - SCSI CD-ROM
( loc=U9117.MMA.10708D0-V2-C2-T1-L8200000000000000 ) <<<
NOTE: The location code lun ID L8200000000000000 should match the LUN
ID of the vtopt mapped to the vhost:
$lsmap -vadapter vhost0
...
VTD vtopt0
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device /var/vio/VMLibrary/base_61_TL7
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
SCSI CD-ROM
( loc=U9117.MMA.10708D0-V2-C2-T1-L8200000000000000 )
1. Information
2. Normal Mode Boot <<<
3. Service Mode Boot
Are you sure you want to exit System Management Services?
1. Yes <<<
2. No
Upon exiting SMS, the AIX partition will boot up from the virtual optical device
to the AIX Installation Menus.
Step 8: Install the AIX operating system.
Step 9: Unloading the virtual media disk:
$ unloadopt -vtd vtopt0
Step 10: Removing the VM Library
A.) Unmap the vtopt# VTDs from the vhost(s)
$ rmvdev -vtd <VTDname>
B.) Remove the virtual media disk(s) from the Virtual Media Repository:
$ rmvopt -name <name of virtual optical disk>
C.) Remove the repository:
$ rmrep [-f]
Back to top
PART III: PERFORMING MKSYSB RESTORE WITH MKSYSB ISO AND
VML:
Step 1: Check the remaining space of the repository and the size of
the mksysb ISO file (in this example, it will be cd_image_6357164):
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528
Name File Size Optical Access
base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
# ls -al
total 38609016
...
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 3120545792 Apr 25 19:01 cd_image_6357164
...
Step 2: Create the virtual media disk out of the mksysb ISO and add to the
repository:
Note: The file must be a bootable, mksysb ISO file. Prior to doing this
step, ensure the
file is created as noted at Creating ISO image from a mksysb backup file.
$ mkvopt -name lpar1_sysb -file /home/padmin/mount/cd_image_6357164 -
ro
Step 3: Verify the new virtual media disk in the repository:
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 2979 rootvg 139776 22528
Name File Size Optical Access
base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
lpar1_sysb 2976 None ro
Step 4: As it was done in Part II Step 6, load the new mksysb virtual media
disk to the available virtual optical device mapped to the vhost:
$ lsmap -vadapter vhost0
SVSA Physloc Client Partition ID
--------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------
vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002
VTD L1_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
Backing device lpar1_lv
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
VTD vtopt0
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device <== Available to add backing device
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
Verify that the virtual media disk is assigned as the backing device:
$ lsmap -vadapter vhost0
SVSA Physloc Client Partition ID
--------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------
vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002
VTD L1_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
Backing device lpar1_lv
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
VTD vtopt0
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device /var/vio/VMLibrary/lpar1_sysb
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
Follow Step 6 and Step 7 to boot the client LPAR and restore from the virtual
media disk.
Step 5: Restoring a mksysb with multiple volumes
Locate the directory with your multiple ISO images.
NOTE: Ensure that the volume order (vol1,vol2, etc.) are identifiable to reduce
the probability of corrupting the restore.
$ ls -al /home/padmin/mount/*lpar2*
total 6139912
drwxr-xr-x 2 root system 256 Apr 26 07:21 .
drwxr-xr-x 5 root system 4096 Apr 25 22:28 ..
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 674078720 Apr 26 00:24 cd_image_3014874.vol1
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 676304896 Apr 26 02:20 cd_image_3014874.vol2
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 676304896 Apr 26 04:10 cd_image_3014874.vol3
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 676304896 Apr 26 05:56 cd_image_3014874.vol4
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 440211456 Apr 26 07:21 cd_image_3014874.vol5
(Total Sum of ISO file sizes = 3143204864 or 3.143 G)
Ensure that the repository has enough space:
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 2979 rootvg 139776 22528
Name File Size Optical Access
base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
lpar1_sysb 2976 vtopt0 ro
The repository needs more space. Increase the size of the repository.
$ chrep -size 2G
Check the space available.
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
12238 5019 rootvg 139776 20480
Name File Size Optical Access
base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
lpar1_sysb 2976 vtopt0 ro
Now, create the virtual media disks out of each volume.
Volume1
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol1 -file /home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_ba
ckup/cd_image_3014874.vol1
Volume2
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol2 -file /home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_ba
ckup/cd_image_3014874.vol2
Volume3
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol3 -file /home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_ba
ckup/cd_image_3014874.vol3
Volum4
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol4 -file /home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_ba
ckup/cd_image_3014874.vol4
Volume5
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol5 -file /home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_ba
ckup/cd_image_3014874.vol5
Verify that all of the volumes have been made into a virtual disk:
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
12239 2022 rootvg 139776 20480
Name File Size Optical Access
base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
lpar1_sysb 2976 vtopt0 ro
lpar2_sysb_vol1 643 None rw
lpar2_sysb_vol2 645 None rw
lpar2_sysb_vol3 645 None rw
lpar2_sysb_vol4 645 None rw
lpar2_sysb_vol5 420 None rw
Check that a vtopt has been mapped to the appropriate vhost serving the
client and that the backing device is available:
$ lsmap -vadapter vhost1
SVSA Physloc Client Partition ID
--------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------
vhost1 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C12 0x00000003
VTD L2_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
Backing device lpar2_lv
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
VTD vtopt1
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device <== Available for a virtual media disk from repository
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
Load volume 1 of the virtual media disks to the virtual optical device:
$ loadopt -vtd vtopt1 -disk lpar2_sysb_vol1
Verify it's been assigned as the backing device:
$ lsmap -vadapter vhost1
...
VTD vtopt1
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device /var/vio/VMLibrary/lpar2_sysb_vol1
Physloc
Mirrored N/A
Boot the client from the virtual optical device and begin the install with virtual
media disk volume 1 (Follow Part II Steps 7 and 8)
When prompted for volume 2 (and every additional volume) "Please remove
volume 1, insert volume 2, and press the ENTER key.", on the VIOS we'll
need to unload the current volume and load the next volume:
Example:
$ unloadopt -vtd vtopt1
$ set -o vi
$ loadopt -vtd vtopt1 -disk lpar2_sysb_vol2
Back
on the client getting installed, strike ENTER/RETURN to begin reading
from the second volume and continue the install.
Continue
the process of unloading and loading the virtual media disk
volumes in order as the client asks for them until the restore has completed.
