HMC Tips VIII - DLPAR Requirements

HMC Tips VIII - DLPAR Requirements
1. What is version requirment for DLPAR operations ?

a. A P4 processor based pSeries system or later
b. October 2002 or later system microcode update
c. A HMC at version R3V1.0 or later
4. AIX 5L Version 5.2 or later

2. What are the AIX filesets required for DLPAR ?

a. # lslpp -l rsct.core*
b. # lslpp -l csm.client

3. What are the daemons required for DLPAR ?

#lssrc -a | grep rsct
ctrmc rsct 21044 active
IBM.CSMAgentRM rsct_rm 21045 active
IBM.ServiceRM rsct_rm 11836 active
IBM.DRM rsct_rm 20011 active
IBM.HostRM rsct_rm 20012 active
IBM.DMSRM rsct_rm 906 active
IBM.LparCmdRM rsct_rm 901 active

4. On HMC, how to list partitions recognized by DLAPR ?

# lspartition -dlpar

If all active AIX 5.2 partitions are listed as Active<1>, ..., DCaps:<0xf> your system has been set up properly for DLPAR.
If you're missing some active partitions or some partitions are reported as Active<0>, your system probably still has a network/hostname set up problem.

5. How to resolve name resolution issues between LPARs and HMC ?

Step I :
# vi /etc/resolv.conf
1.Same DNS server for LPARs and HMC
2.Remove the duplicate entries.

Step II:
Please check to see the that ct_node_id is unique for each node in the environment:
"cat /var/ct/cfg/ct_node_id"\

If duplicate ct_node_id values are found issue a recfgct on the problem node(s) to have a new/unique ct_node_id generated.
# /usr/sbin/rsct/install/bin/recfgct

(This command will start/restart ctcas,ctrmc system and will generate a new id in the file /var/ct/cfg/ct_node_id )

Step III:
ping from aix.

Step IV:
Please also do the following steps on the LPAR(s) to refresh RMC subsystem
/usr/sbin/rsct/bin/rmcctrl -z ----> Stops the RMC subsystem and all resource managers.
/usr/sbin/rsct/bin/rmcctrl -A ----> Adds and starts the RMC subsystem
/usr/sbin/rsct/bin/rmcctrl -p ----> Enables remote client connections

Step V:
Ensure /var directory is not 100% full
After expanding the /var directory, execute the following command.
# /usr/sbin/rsct/bin/rmcctrl -z
# rm /var/ct/cfg/ct_has.thl
# rm /var/ct/cfg/ctrmc.acls
# /usr/sbin/rsct/bin/rmcctrl -A

Step VI:
If problem still persists, please run the below command to collect the DLPAR log in /tmp/ctsupt:
# /usr/sbin/rsct/bin/ctsnap


6. How to find the parent device of a device like cdrom in AIX ?

# lsdev -Cl cd0 -F parent

HMC Tips VI - Reference Code

HMC Tips VI - Reference Code

1. To list the current reference code for the managed system :

# lsrefcode -r sys -m Managed-System

2. To list last 10 reference codes for the managed system :

# lsrefcode -r sys -m Managed-System -n 10

3. To list the reference code (Its called as LED in old pSeries servers) for each partition in the managed system :

# lsrefcode -r lpar -m Managed-System -F lpar_name,time_stamp,refcode

4. To list last 25 reference codes (led) for partitions lpar-a and lpar-b :

# lsrefcode -r lpar -m Managed-System -n 25 --filter ""lpar_names=lpar-a,lpar-b""

HMC Tips VII - General Terms

HMC Tips VII - General Terms
1. What is the maximum number of servers managed by HMC ?

> Maximum of 48 non-590-595 servers
> Maximum of 32 590/595 servers

2. What is the maximum number of LPARs supported by a HMC ?

> Maximum of 254 LPARs

3. How many HMCs can manage a server at one time ?

> You can have a maximum of 2 HMCs manage a server at one time

4. What are the different types of dynamic operations you can do with CPU, Memory and I/O Adapter on a LPAR ?

> Add
> Remove
> Move

5. How do we connect the HMC to power machines ?

For Power-4 machines, we connect the hmc using serial cables.

But for Power-5 machines, HMC connects to service processors via SSL-encrypted Ethernet, replacing the serial cables.

6. Do we have firewall configured in HMC ?

Yes. Each network card has an integrated firewall.

7. Do we need to configure DHCP in HMC ?

HMC may be a DHCP server for entry and mid-range servers.

But for high-end servers like P595, HMC must be a DHCP server

8. can we have the same HMC to manage P4 and P5 machines ?

POWER5 HMCs cannot manage POWER4 servers, and vice versa.

9. Can we have the existing P4 HMCs upgraded to support P5 machines ?

Yes. We can. This involves a complete overwirte of teh disk and the loss of all previous configuration including user profiles.

10. What to do incase of disk failure in HMC ?

We can restore the HMC using recovery CD.
Then restore the latest Critical consule data backup which will restore the profiles, user ids, passwords, etc..

11. What is the default user id and password for the HMC ?

When the HMC is powered on the first time, login as hscroot and password as 'abc123'.

12. Can we manage a power machine without a HMC ?

Yes. We can run a server in manufacturing default mode, will all resources but no logical partitionings, CoD or Service Focal point,etc..
For entry level server, we can use the Integrated Virtualization Manager.

13. What is the network critetia for dual HMC connection ?

Dual HMCs require two different private networks.

14. What is the default service processor IP address in Power-5 Machines ?

Eth0 - HMC1 - 192.168.2.147 / 255.255.255.0
Eth1 - HMC2 - 192.168.3.147 / 255.255.255.0

15. What is the default user id and password for accessing service processor ?

User id - admin
Password - admin

16. Do we need a HMC for p5 model servers ?

One HMC is mandatory for 590, 595 or 575.
Dual HMC are recommended.

17. Do we need private network for HMc connectivity for p5-595 ?

One private network is mandatory for p5 590,595 or 575.

18. Can we have IVM support multiple servers ?

One IVM allowed per server and it only manages partitions on one server.

19. What does FSP (Flexible Service Processor) has ?

FSP has
a. Operating System
b. UserIds / Passwords
c. Filesystem
d. Networking
e. Firewall
f. Webserver
g. ASMI
h. Firmware

20. What to do if you forgot the admin password for FSP ?

If you do not know the admin password, place a hardware call to get 'celogin'

21. What to do if you forgot the HMC hostname/ipaddress for a long running LPAR ?

You can always get the HMC IPaddress from a LPAR if we have performed "handshake" with the HMC.

Issue the below command to get the HMC IPAddress

# lsrsrc IBM.ManagementServer
Resource Persistent Attributes for IBM.ManagementServer
resource 1:
Name = "169.121.54.48"
Hostname = "169.121.54.48"
ManagerType = "HMC"
LocalHostname = "169.121.54.59"
ClusterTM = "9078-160"
ClusterSNum = ""
ActivePeerDomain = ""
NodeNameList = {"SAP-PRodServer"}

22. One HMC should be within 8metres of Managed Server

23. Each FSP Ethernet port should be connected to only one HMC

AIX - Tips and Tricks - Part V

AIX - Tips and Tricks - Part V
1. How to force a failover of an EtherChannel ?
# /usr/lib/methods/ethchan_config -f Etherchannel_Device

2. How to add a backup adapter to an existing etherchannel device ?
# /usr/lib/methods/ethchan_config -a -b Etherchannel_Device Ethernet_Adapter

3. How to change the address to ping attribute of an EtherChannel ?
# /usr/lib/methods/ethchan_config -c Etherchannel_Device netaddr New_Ping_IP_Addr

4. How to list the available major numbers in a system ?
# lvlstmajor

5. How to list the major number of a volume group ?
# lvgenmajor rootvg

6. Consider a situation where you have a VG in a PV. But you have not imported that.
Now you need to find a list of attributes of that volume group before importing/varyon it.
Answer the below questions :

a. How to list the maximum number of logical volumes allowed in the VG ?
# lqueryvg -p PVname -N

b. How to show the PP size ?
# lqueryvg -p PVname -s

c. How to show the number of free PPs in the VG ?
# lqueryvg -p PVname -F

d. How to show the current number of LVs in the VG ?
# lqueryvg -p PVname -n

e. How to list the current number of PVs in the VG ?
# lqueryvg -p PVname -c

f. How to list the total number of VGDAs for the VG ?
# lqueryvg -p PVname -D

g. How to list each LVID, LV name, state for each logical volume ?
# lqueryvg -p PVname -l

h. How to list each PVID, number of VGDAs and state for each PV in the VG ?
# lqueryvg -p PVname -P

i. How to list all the attributes with tags for the vG ?
# lqueryvg -p PVname -At

j. How to list the VGID from that physical volume ?
# lqueryvg -p PVname -v

7. How do you move a physical partition ( actually its just a data between PPs) ?
# lmigratepp -g VGID -p old_PVID -n old_PPNum -P new_PVID -N new_PPNum

8. How to retrive the VG name for a particular LV from ODM ?
# getlvodm -b LVID

9. How to retrive all configured PVs from ODM ?
# getlvodm -C

10. How to retrive the major number for a VGID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -d VGID

11. How to retrive the logical volume allocation characteristics for a LVID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -c LVID

12. How to retrive the free configured PVs from ODM ?
# getlvodm -F

13. How to retrive the strip size for a LVID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -F LVID

14. How to retrive the PV name for a PVID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -g PVID

15. How to retrive all VG names from the ODM ?
# getlvodm -h

16. How to retrive the VGID for a PVID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -j PVID

17. How to retrive the LVs and LVIDs for a VG name or VGID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -L VGDescriptor

18. How to retrive the LVID/LV Name for a LV Name or LVID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -l LVDescriptor

19. How to retrive the mount point for a LVID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -m LVID

20. How to retrive the stripe width for a LVID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -N LVID

21. How to retrive the PVID/PN name for a PV name or PVID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -p PVDesciptor

22. How to retrive the PV names, PVIDs and VGs of all configured PVs from ODM ?
# getlvodm -P

23. How to retrive the relocatable flag for a LVID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -r LVID

24. How to retrive the VG state for a VG from ODM ?
# getlvodm -s VGDescriptor

25. How to retrive the timestamp for a VG from ODM ?
# getlvodm -T VGDescriptor

26. How to retrive the VG name for a VGID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -t VGID

27. How to retrive the auto-on value for a VG name or VGID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -v VGDesciptor

28. How to retrive the VGID for a vG name ?
# getlvodm -v VGDesciptor

29. How to retrive the PV names and PVIDs for a VG from ODM ?
# getlvodm -w VGDesciptor

30. How to retrive the LV type ffor a LVID from ODM ?
# getlvodm -y LVID

31. How to retrive the concurrent capable flag for a VG from ODM ?
# getlvodm -X VGDescriptor

32. How to retrive the auto-on concurrent flag for a VG from ODM ?
# getlvodm -x VGDescriptor

33. How to display the contents of LVCB ?
# getlvcb -A LVName

34. How to list the number of copies of a LV from LVCB ?
# getlvcb -c LVName

35. How to list the file system name of a LV from LVCB ?
# getlvcb -f LVName

36. How to list the label of a LV from LVCB ?
# getlvcb -L LVName

37. How to display the type of the file system from LVCB ?
# getlvcb -t LVName

38. How to display the upper limit from LVCB ?
# getlvcb -u LVName

39. How to list the current defrag state of a file system ?
# defrag -q Filesystem

40. How to lsit the current and future (if degragmented) state of a file system ?
# degrag -r Filesystem

41. How to defragment a file system ?
# defrag Filesystem

42. How to run fsck on 2 filesystems simultaneously on different drives ?
# dfsck FileSystem1 FileSystem2

43. How to list the superblock, i-name map, disk map information for a file system ?
# dumpfs Filesystem

44. Where is the magic file located ?
/etc/magic

45. How do you remove a file system data from /etc/filesystems ?
# imfs -x -l LVName

46. How do you list inode, last update/modify/access timestamp of a file ?
# istat FileName

47. How do you update the i-node table and write buffered files to the hard disk ?
# sync

48. How do you list the filesystems in a volume group ?
# lsvgfs VGName

49. How do you redefine the set of PVs of a VG in the ODM ?
# redefinevg -d PVName VGName

50. How do you replace a PV in a VG ?
# replacepv SourcePV DestinationP

HMC Tips IV - Backup

HMC Tips - Backup

1. To backup HMC data on DVD :

# bkconsdata -r dvd

2. To backup HMC data to a ftp server :

# bkconsdata -r ftp -h ftp_server_name -u ftp_username --passwd ftp_password

3. To backup HMC data to a NFS mounted file system :

# bkconsdata -r nfs -n nfs_server_name -l Nfs_mount_point

4. To list storage media devices :

# lsmediadev

5. To backup profile data for a managed system :

# bkprofdata -m Managed-System -f File_name

Profile data files are kept under /var/hsc/profiles/Managed-Machine-Serial-Number

6. To restore a managed profile data :

# rstprofdata -m Managed-System -l restore_type -f File-Name

Valid restore types are

1 - Full restore from the backup file.
2 - Merge the current profile data and backup profile data, with priority to backup.
3 - Merge the current profile data and backup profile data, with priority to current data.
4 - Initialize the profile data. All partition, partition/system profiles will be deleted.

HMC Tips III - User Management

HMC Tips III - User Management

1. To list all users in a HMC

# lshmcusr

2. To list only user names and managed resource roles for all HMC users :

# lshmcusr -F name:resourcerole

3. To create a user :

# mkhmcusr -u User_Id -a ROLE -d DESCRIPTION --passwd PASSWORD -M PASSWD_EXPIRATION_DAYS

3. To remove a user :

# rmhmcusr -u USER_NAME

4. To change an hmc user's password :

# chhmcusr -u User_Name -t passwd -v New_Password

5. To change the task role for the user "user1" to hmcoperator :

# chhmcusr -r user1 -t taskrole -v hmcoperator

Available task roles are
hmcsuperadmin, hmcoperator, hmcviewer, hmcpe, hmcservicerep or a user defined task role

6. To list all managed resource objects :

# lsaccfg -t resource

7. To list all managed resource roles :

# lsaccfg -t resourcerole

8. To create a task role using a config file :

# mkaccfg -t resourcerole -f /tmp/fil1

9. To create a task role :

# mkaccfg -t taskrole -i "name=tr1,parent=hmcsuperadmin,"resources=cec:chcod+lscod+lshwres,lpar:chssyscfg+lssyscfg+mksyscfg""

10. To change a task role :

# chaccfg -t taskrole -i "name=tr1,"resources=cec:chhwres+chsysstate,lpar:chssyscfg+chled+chhwres""

11. To remove a task role :

# rmaccfg -t taskrole -n tr1

HMC Tips II - Partitions and Profiles

HMC Tips II - Partitions and Profiles

1. To list all machines configured in a hmc

# lssyscfg -r sys

2. To list all lpars(partitions) in a power machine

# lssyscfg -r lpar -m Managed_System

3. To activate/start an LPAR :

# chsysstate -r lpar -m Managed_System -o on -n LPAR_Name -f Profile_ name

4. To deactivate/shutdown an LPAR :

# chsysstate -r lpar -m Managed_System -o shutdown --immed -n LPAR_Name

5. To open the console of a partition :

# mkvterm -m Managed_System -p LPAR_Name

6. To close the console of a partition:

# rmvterm -m Managed_System -p LPAR_Name

7. To list the profile of a partition:

# lssyscfg -r prof -m Managed_System --filter "lpar_names=LPAR_Name,profile_names=Profile_Name"

8. To change the min/desired/maximum memory settings of a partition profile :

# chsyscfg -r prof -m Managed_System -i "name=Profile_Name,lpar_name=LPAR_Name,min_mem=512,desired_mem=19456,max_mem=20480"

9. To change the min/desired/maximum processor units of a partition profile :

# chsyscfg -r prof -m Managed_System -i "name=Profile_Name,lpar_name=LPAR_Name,min_proc_units=0.2,desired_proc_units=0.5,max_proc_units=2.0"

10. To change the min/desired/maximum virtual processor of a partition profile :

# chsyscfg -r prof -m Managed_System -i "name=Profile_Name,lpar_name=LPAR_Name,min_procs=1,desired_procs=2,max_procs=6"

11. To change capped/uncapped setting in a partition profile :
# chsyscfg -r prof -m Managed_System -i "name=Profile_Name,lpar_name=LPAR_Name,sharing_mode=uncap,uncap_weight=128"

Possible values for sharing_mode are cap and uncap.
Possible values for uncap_weight are from 0 to 128.

12. To change the name of a partition profile :

# chsyscfg -r prof -m Managed_System -i "name=Profile_Name,lpar_name=LPAR_Name,new_name=New_Profile_Name"

13. To change the name of a partition :

# chsyscfg -r lpar -m Managed_System -i "name=LPAR_Name,new_name=New_LPAR_Name"

14. To change the default profile of a partition :

# chsyscfg -r lpar -m Managed_System -i "name=LPAR_Name,default_profile=Partition_Profile_Name"

15. To set "power off the machine after all partitions are shutdown" for a power machine :

# chsysscfg -r sys -m Managed_System -i "power_off_policy=0"

Possible values are

0 -> Power off after all partitions are shutdown
1 -> Do not power off after all partitions are shutdown

16. To rename a system profile :

# chsyscfg -r sysprof -m Managed_System -i "name=Sys_Prof_Name,new_name=New_Sys_Prof_Name"

17. To add 2 more partition profiles to a system profile :

# chsyscfg -r sysprof -m Managed_System -i "name=,"lpar_names+=partition3,partition4",
"profile_names+=profile3,profile4""

HMC Tips I - HMC and Managed System

HMC Tips I - HMC and Managed System

1. To enable ssh in a hmc :

# chhmc -c ssh -s enable
You can disable it by replacing the word 'enable' with 'disable'

2. To enable xntp in a hmc :

# chhmc -c xntp -s enable
You can disable it by replacing the word 'enable' with 'disable'

3. To add an entry in the syslog config file :

# chhmc -c syslog -s add -a IP_Addr ( or '-h host_name' )
You can remove an entry by replacing the word 'add' with 'remove'

4. To add an entry in the ntp config file :

# chhmc -c xntp -s add -a IP_Addr ( or 'h host_name' )
You can remove an entry by replacing the word 'add' with 'remove'

5. To configure the network as a startup device :

# chhmc -c netboot -s enable
You can disable it by replacing the word 'enable' with 'disable'

6. To permit IP addresses from utilizing HMC services :

# chhmc -s ssh ( or any_service) -s add -a IP_Addr
You can remove an entry by replacing the word 'add' with 'remove'

7. To add a DNC_server or domain_suffix :

chhmc -c network -s add [-ns DNS_Server] [-ds domain_suffix ]
You can remove an entry by replacing the word 'add' with 'remove'

8. To change network settings for a specific network interface :

# chhmc -c network -s modify -i interface_name
[-a IP_Addr] [-nm network_mask] [ --lparcomm on|off]

Note: Network settings for the s10 interface cannot be changed.

9. To change other network settings :

# chhmc -c network -s modify
[-h hostname] [-d network-domain-name]
[-g gateway]

10. To change the locale for the HMC :

# chhmc -c locale -s modify -l locale

11. To change the HMC date and time, time zone :

# chhmc -c date -s modify
[ --datetime ]
[ --clock {local | utc} ]
[ --timezone {time-zone | none} ]

12. To list the BIOS Level of the HMC :

# lshmc -b

13. To list the current locale :

# lshmc -l

14. To list all of the locales supported by HMC :

# lshmc -L

15. To list network settings :

# lshmc -n

16. To list remote access settings :

# lshmc -r

17. To list VPD information :

# lshmc -v

18. To list version information :

# lshmc -V

19. List IP Connections to SP's and Bulk Power Controllers :

# lssysconn -r all

20. To list all machines configured in a hmc

# lssyscfg -r sys

21. To power on a managed system :

# chsysstate -r sys -m MANAGED_SYSTEM -o on -f SYS_PROF_NAME

22. To power on a managed system in standby mode :

# chsysstate -r sys -m MANAGED_SYSTEM -o onstandby -f SYS_PROF_NAME

23. To power off a managed system :

# chsysstate -r sys -m MANAGED_SYSTEM -o off --immed

24. To restart a managed system :

# chsysstate -r sys -m MANAGED_SYSTEM -o off --immed --restart

25. To recover partition data for a managed system :

# chsysstate -r sys -m MANAGED_SYSTEM -o recover

26. To initiate service processor failover for a managed system :

# chsysstate -r sys -m MANAGED_SYSTEM -o spfailover

27. To validate or activate a system profile :

# chsysstate -r sysprof -m MANAGED_SYSTEM -n SYS_PROF_NAME --test


28. To change the password of a managed system :

# chsyspwd -t {access | admin | general} -m MANAGED_SYSTEM --passwd Current_Password --newpassword New_Password