How to configure a VIOS Media Repository/Virtual Media Library (ex. AIX Install/Restore)

Question

What's the procedure to install an AIX base ISO to an AIX parition 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.x.

Answer

PART I. REQUIREMENTS BEFORE PROCEEDING:

     Please ensure the following requirements are met before proceeding:

     A.) 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.

     B.) A basic understanding of managing VIO virtual optical devices.

     C.) A basic understanding of the AIX Installation Menu and how to install AIX.

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.

     After the AIX ISO image had 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

     A.) Creating the repository in rootvg:

$ mkrep -sp rootvg -size 6G
Virtual Media Repository Created
Repository created within "VMLibrary" logical volume

     B.) Creating the repository in a new VG:

$ mkvg -vg hdisk#

$ mkrep -sp -size 6G

     C.) 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 of the repository it will need to be removed and recreated.

Step 3: Create the virtual media disk

$ mkvopt -name -file -ro

Example:

$ mkvopt -name base_61_TL7 -file/home/padmin/AIX_iso/AIX_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 -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 L1_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
Backing device lpar1_lv
Physloc 
Mirrored N/A

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 cd-rom device on the VIO client(s).

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

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

     B.) Remove the virtual media disk(s) from the Virtual Media Repository:

$ rmvopt -name

     C.) Remove the repository:

$ rmrep [-f]

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:

$ 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
drwxr-xr-x 3 root system 4096 Apr 25 19:02 .
drwxr-x--- 9 padmin system 4096 Apr 25 21:59 ..
-rw-r----- 1 padmin staff 4448223232 Apr 02 15:59 AIX_6.1_Base_Operating_System_TL_6100-07-00_DVD_1_of_2_102011.iso
-rw-r----- 1 padmin staff 4032843776 Apr 09 22:12 Virtual_IO_Server_V2.2.1_DVD_1_of_2_102011.iso
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 3120545792 Apr 25 19:01 cd_image_6357164
drwxr-xr-x 2 root system 256 Apr 12 10:16 lost+found
-rw-r--r-- 1 root staff 2542 Apr 02 12:08 mybackup.tar.gz
-rw-r--r-- 1 root staff 183 Apr 02 12:12 mybackup_DEPLOYED
-rw-r--r-- 1 root staff 102 Apr 02 12:12 mybackup_NONDEPLOYED
-rw-r--r-- 1 root staff 1476 Apr 02 12:12 mybackup_VALID
-rw-r----- 1 root system 8163543040 Apr 13 11:48 nim_resources.tar


Step 2: Create the virtual media disk out of the mksysb ISO and add to the repository

$ 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

     Load the virtual media disk:

$ loadopt -vtd vtopt0 -disk lpar1_sysb

     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_backup/cd_image_3014874.vol1

Volume2
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol2 -file/home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_backup/cd_image_3014874.vol2

Volume3
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol3 -file/home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_backup/cd_image_3014874.vol3

Volum4
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol4 -file/home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_backup/cd_image_3014874.vol4

Volume5
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol5 -file/home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_backup/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.