NIM FAQ

To boot from network for NIM installation from NIM server/boot server 192.168.0.2
and client 192.168.0.220 (provided nim allocation and bosinst done from nim server).

# bootlist -m normal ent0 speed=auto duplex=auto gateway=0.0.0.0 bserver=192.168.0.2 \
client=192.168.0.220

To change NIM client limitation
# nim -o change -a restrict_nfs_exports=no master

How to check the bosinst.data file
# /usr/lpp/bosinst/bicheck /export/lpp_source/no_prompt

How to check a spot missing fileset
# nim -o fix_query 530TL9BASEspot|grep ML

How to configure the NIM Master only (No other resource). Run ifconfig -a first to find
which network you want for NIM Configuration. In this case it is en0
# nimconfig -anetname=MASTER_NET -apif_name=en0 -a platform=`bootinfo -p` \
-a netboot_kernel=mp -a cable_type=tp

How to copy software to an existing lpp_source from the command line
1a. Copy the software from the media to the lpp_source directory.
2b. Perform the NIM check operation on the lpp_source by entering the following command
1c. # nim -o check Lpp_sourceName

How to create a LPP Source from CD. (To create from an existing directory use the full path
of the existing directory ex. /export/lpp_source/510ML2lpp in stead of /dev/cd0)
# gencopy -X -b "-qv" -d /dev/cd0 -t /export/lpp_source/510ML8lpp -f all 2>&1

How to create a NIM lpp_source from existing directory
# nim -o define -t lpp_source -a server=master -a location=/export/lpp_source/530TL5lpp \
530TL5lpp

How to create a spot from existing lpp_source
# nim -o define -t spot -a server=master -a location=/export/spot/530ML5spot \
-a source=530ML5lpp 530ML5spot

How to create a software bundle for using with NIM
# gencopy -X -b "-qv" -d /export/lpp_source/gpfs -t /export/lpp_source/GPFS -f Fi le 2>&1

How to create AIX 4.3.3 spot from AIX 5.3 and higher
1a. # export INST_DEBUG=yes
1b. # nim -o define -t spot -a server=master -a location=/export/spot \
-a source=/export/lpp_source/430ML3lpp 430ML3spot

How to create a spot from a mksysb image name god.mksysb
(provided god.mksysb already defined as mksysb resource)
# nim -o define -t spot -a source=god.mksysb -a server=master -a location=/export/spot god.spot

To define a NIM client with 64 Bit Kernel and network to 1000 Full Duplex hard coded
(NIM Servername=testnim, client=agni, comments option is optional)
# nim -o define -t standalone -a if1="testnim agni 0" -a cable_type1=tp \
-a net_settings1="1000 full" -a platform=chrp -a netboot_kernel=64 \
-a comments="192.168.190.202" agni

To define a NIM client with 32 Bit(mp) Kernel and network to auto
(NIM Servername=testnim, client=agni, comments option is optional)
# nim -o define -t standalone -a if1="testnim agni 0" -a cable_type1=tp \
-a net_settings1="auto auto" -a platform=chrp -a netboot_kernel=mp \
-a comments="192.168.190.202" agni

Display NIM Machines
# lsnim -c machines

Steps to fix error code 0503-497 bosboot creation error
( 0503-497 installp: An error occurred during bosboot verification processing)
# cd /dev
# lsvg -p rootvg <-- br="" hdisk0="" hdisk1=""># rm ipldevice
# ln hdisk0 ipldevice
# bosboot -ad /dev/ipldevice <--- br="" error="" same=""># bosboot -ad /dev/hdisk0 <--- br="" error="" same=""># ls -l |grep ipl -> ipl_blv is missing
# ln rhd5 ipl_blv

Find the SPOT service pack level
# nim -o fix_query spot_name |grep SP ( replace spot_name with actual spot name)

To find out what is missing from the SPOT
# nim -o fix_query -a fix_query_flags="cq" -a fixes=5300-07_AIX_ML \
530TL7SP3spot |grep ":-:"

How to fix "Request denied - Method_req"
# nim -Fo change -a cpuid= ClientName

How to display mksysb file contents
# lsmksysb -c -f /mksysb_name

How to check tape is mksysb tape or not

Procedure 1
# lsmksysb -f /dev/rmt0 (if the tape is in rmt0)

Procedure 2
# restore -Tvf /dev/rmt0.1 -s4

How to find out allocation count of lpp_source resource
# lsnim -a lpp_source

How to find out allocation count of spot resource
# lsnim -a spot

How to find out allocation count of spot resource
# lsnim -t mksysb - to see all the mksysb images

How to make a lpp Source from original CD
# gencopy -X -b "-qv" -d /dev/cd0 -t /export/lpp_source/710TL0SP1lpp all

How to list all mksysb resources
# lsnim -t mksysb

To display detailed information about the NIM attributes named lpp_source and Rstate
# lsnim -p -a lpp_source -a Rstate

To display the operations which can be performed on the paging object type
# lsnim -p -t paging -O

To display all customized objects in the networks object class
# lsnim -c networks

To display allocated NIM resources for machine sigma
# lsnim -c resources sigma

To display a list of operations that can be applied to sigma
# lsnim -O sigma

To display a list of resources available to sigma
# lsnim -L sigma

To display the members of the machine group test1 with state and group exclusion status
# lsnim -g test11

To display basic information about the members of the resource group myres11
# lsnim -m myres11

To display a long listing of members of the machine group MacGrp1, with any hidden NIM
internal information
# lsnim -m -Fl MacGrp1

To display all members of machine group MacGrp1 which has a spot allocated
# lsnim -ma spot MacGrp1

To display all members of machine group MacGrp1 which has a lpp_source allocated
# lsnim -ma lpp_source MacGrp1

To create mksysb image from tape to /images directory
Step1 # tctl -f /dev/rmt0.1 rewind
Step2 # tctl -f /dev/rmt0.1 fsf 3
Step3 # dd if=/dev/rmt0.1 of=/images/mksysb.name.image bs=4m

To perform the boot diag operation from the client
# nimclient -o diag -a spot=SPOTName

To perform the diag operation from the master
# nim -o diag -a spot=SPOTName MachineName

To issue the maint_boot operation from the client
# nimclient -o maint_boot -a spot=SPOTNAME

To issue the maint_boot operation from the master
# nim -o maint_boot -a spot=SPOTNAME CLIENT_NAME

To verify that the maintenance boot operation worked from client
# nimclient -l -l ClientMachineName

To verify that the maintenance boot operation worked from NIM Master
# lsnim -l ClientMachineObjectName
(If the operation was successful, the client's Cstate output will look similar
to the following: Cstate = maintenance boot has been enabled)

To find NIM bootp failure issue

Bootp failure : Make sure it's running
# lssrc -t bootps

output should look like below

bootps /usr/sbin/bootpd bootpd /etc/bootptab active

If this is set to "inoperative" try starting it

# vi /etc/inetd.conf make sure 'bootps' and 'tftp' are uncommented and save the file.

# refresh -s inetd

# lssrc -t bootps

Checking spots few commands

# nim -o lppchk -a lppchk_flags="v" 5305_spot
# nim -o lppchk -a lppchk_flags="l" 5305_spot
# nim -o lppchk -a lppchk_flags="c" 5305_spot

NIM command example to allocate and install mksysb

# nim -o bos_inst -a source=mksysb -a mksysb=clientname_mksysb \
-a spot=530ML7SP3spot -a lpp_source=530ML7SP3lpp \
-a accept_licenses=yes -a no_client_boot=yes -a force_push=no clientname

NIM command to define a mksysb resource
# nim -o define -t mksysb -a server=master -a location=/images/cust/custimg.img custimgname

NIM Command example to install BOS

a) # nim -o bos_inst -a source=rte -a spot=530ML7SP3spot -a lpp_source=530ML7SP3lpp \
-a bosinst_data=No_Prompt -a script=MYSCRIPT -a fb_script=InstallSoft \
-a accept_licenses=yes -a preserve_res=yes -a no_client_boot=yes \
-a set_bootlist=no -a force_push=no CLIENT_NAME
or

b) # nim -o bos_inst -a source=rte -a spot=530ML7SP3spot -a lpp_source=530ML7SP3lpp \
-a bosinst_data=No_Prompt -a script=MYSCRIPT -a fb_script=InstallSoft \
-a accept_licenses=yes -a no_client_boot=yes -a force_push=no CLIENT_NAME

NIM deallocate all resource allocate to a client
a) # nim -Fo reset client_name
b) # nim -Fo deallocate -a subclass=all client_name

Disabling master push permissions from the command line
# nimclient -P

To re-enable push permission on the client, enter the following on the client machine
# nimclient -p

NIM Fix query comands example
# nim -o fix_query 520ML5spot|grep ML
# nim -o fix_query -a fix_query_flags=c 520ML5spot|grep ":-:"

NIM Insatll commands example for bos

Example 1.

# nim -o bos_inst -a source=rte -a spot=530ML7SP3spot -a lpp_source=530ML7SP3lpp \
-a bosinst_data=No_Prompt -a script=FTPSCR -a fb_script=Install_Drivers \
-a accept_licenses=yes -a preserve_res=yes -a no_client_boot=yes \
-a set_bootlist=no -a force_push=no venus

Example 2.

# nim -o bos_inst -a source=rte -a spot=530ML7SP3spot -a lpp_source=530ML7SP3lpp\
-a bosinst_data=No_Prompt -a script=FTPSCR -a fb_script=Install_Drivers\
-a accept_licenses=yes -a no_client_boot=yes -a force_push=no venus

Example 3. for mksysb

# nim -o bos_inst -a source=mksysb -a mksysb=venus_mksysb\
-a spot=530ML7SP3spot -a lpp_source=530ML7SP3lpp\
-a accept_licenses=yes -a no_client_boot=yes -a force_push=no venus

To enable the 'use_clients_if_host' option on the master
# nim -o change -a use_clients_if_host=yes master

To disable the 'use_clients_if_host' option on the master
# nim -o change -a use_clients_if_host=no master

To view the 'if' attribute for mac1
# lsnim -a if mac1

NIM Problem Unable to create any type of network boot image
# smitty nim_control_boot ==> Limit Boot Image Creation to Defined Interfaces?
Change it to "Yes"

NIM showlog command example
# nim -o showlog -a full_log=yes -a log_type=nimerr 530TL4spot

NIM take over example from nim server testnim1
# /usr/lpp/bos.sysmgt/nim/methods/m_takeover testnim1

To update NIM packages from CD
# nim -o update -a packages=all -a source=/dev/cd0 530ML5lpp

To update NIM packages from a downloaded directory /download
# nim -o update -a packages=all -a source=/download 530ML5lpp

To upgrade a client using nimadm
# nimadm -c 550-b-lp01 -s 530ML7spot -l 530ML7lpp -d "hdisk10 hdisk11" -Y -j nimvg

ODMDELETE COMMAND TO DELETE NIM OBJECTS. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Suppose you want to delete the entry with TRYME mksysb and lsnim shows the name as

mksysb.TRYME and you are unable to delete it normal way.

MAKE SURE YOU BACKUP NIM DATABSE BEFORE THIS. READ THE LAST LINE ALSO

# odmget nim_attr >/tmp/nim_attr.out

# vi /tmp/nim_attr.out and look for TRYME entry

Note down the id no for Ex. id=1161733976

# odmdelete -o nim_attr -q id=1161733976

Now Delete it from nim_object

#odmget nim_object >/tmp/nim_object.out

vi that file and note down the id for TRYME

# odmdelete -o nim_object -q id=1162344443

now from websm screen or smitty nim add the routing information to NIM

MASTER object

resources -> master ->properties ->nim interface. ( Add the interface again)

Recovering the /etc/niminfo file from the command line
# nimconfig -r

To rebuild the /etc/niminfo file from a running NIM client
# niminit -a master_port=PortNumber -a master=MasterHostName \
-a name=ClientMachineObjectName

To define a SPOT from a directory that previously had a SPOT installed in it. This won't work
if you copied the spot directory from another server.
# /usr/lpp/bos.sysmgt/nim/methods/m_mkspot -o -a server=server \
-a location=location -a source=no spotname

Example:

A SPOT named spot1 was created on the NIM master in the /export/spot directory.
Later, the NIM database became corrupted and has to be rebuilt. The SPOT files
are still on the machine, but the SPOT has to be redefined to NIM.
# /usr/lpp/bos.sysmgt/nim/methods/m_mkspot -o -a server=master \
-a location=/export/spot -a source=no spot1

To remove a mksysb image from NIM Server. It will remove the mksysb file too
# nim -o remove -a rm_image=yes mksysbname

To Remove a bundle/package from a lpp_source

1a. Find the Package/Bundle name
# installp -Ld /export/lpp_source/530TL12SP2lpp|grep -i devices.vtdev.scsi.rte
1b. Now remove the Package from the LPP Source
# nim -o update -a rm_images=yes -a packages=devices.vtdev.scsi 530TL12SP2lpp

To list all duplicate and conflicting updates in the /myimages image source directory
# /usr/lib/instl/lppmgr -d /myimages -u

To remove all duplicate and conflicting updates in the /export/lpp_source/530TL10Sp2lpp
lpp_source directory
# /usr/lib/instl/lppmgr -d /export/lpp_source/530TL10Sp2lpp -u -r

To list of all superseeded filesets from /export/lpp_source/530TL10Sp2lpp
lpp_source directory
# /usr/lib/instl/lppmgr -d /export/lpp_source/530TL10Sp2lpp -x

To remove all superseeded fileset from /export/lpp_source/530TL10Sp2lpp
lpp_source directory
# /usr/lib/instl/lppmgr -d /export/lpp_source/530TL10Sp2lpp -x -r

To remove all superseeded and duplicate fileset /export/lpp_source/530TL10Sp2lpp
lpp_source directory
# /usr/lib/instl/lppmgr -d /export/lpp_source/530TL10Sp2lpp -x -u -r

To restore a single file from a mksysb image to current directory
This example is for /etc/passwd file
# restore -xvqf client_mksysb ./etc/passwd

To create an image.data file for editing before creating a mksysb
# mkszfile ( will create ./image.data which can be used for mksysb command)
# mksysb -m (will create the disk map under /tmp/vgdata/rootvg)
# mksysb -X (will extend /tmp filesystem if necessary)

To display detail NIM network information
# lsnim -c networks -l

To display BOS installation status information
# lsnim -a info -a Cstate ClientName

OR

# lsnim -l ClientName

To update a lpp_source using gencopy from a downloaded directory
# gencopy -X -b "-qv" -d /download -t /export/lpp_source/530ML6lpp/530ML6lpp -f all 2>&1

How to update a spot image
# nim -o cust -F -a lpp_source=530TL12SP2lpp -a fixes=update_all 530TL12SP2spot

To define NIM client itself to the master
# niminit -a name=krishna -a master=nimtest1 -a pif_name=en0 -a platform=chrp \
-a netboot_kernel=mp

To check the above was successful
# nimclient -l -l krishna

To change NIM CPUID
# nim -o change -a validate_cpuid=no master

IBM TECHINFO-0020751 ( www.ibm.com). This is very useful document I found from IBM website.
On a Network Server 500 or 700 running AIX, I moved a PCI Ethernet card to another PCI slot. I
was not able to remove the old device, however. The device was in the defined state, but it
could not be removed even if I manually deleted the device. This leaves an "en1" device,
and a configured "en2" device which should be "en1".

This is a special case where an object defined in the ODM could not be deleted by deleting the
device. You can selectively alter the ODM with the following steps:

Step 1
Before running any "" or "odmadd" commands, it is recommended that you save the original
copies of the Cu* files, like this:
# cd /etc/objrepos
# cp CuAt cuat.old
# cp CuDep cudep.old
# cp CuDv cudv.old
# cp CuDvDr cudvdr.old
# cp CuVPD cuvpd.old
Step 2

In general, to find out what is in the ODM, you can run the odmget command. There are five
files on which you would want to run odmget. These files are in /etc/objrepos; their names
are CuAt, CuDep, CuDv, CuDvDr, and CuVPD. The syntax for odmget would be:
# odmget CuAt > /tmp/cuat
# odmget CuDep > /tmp/cudep
# odmget CuDv > /tmp/cudv
# odmget CuDvDr > /tmp/cudvdr
# odmget CuVPD > /tmp/cuvpd

Then you can use pg, vi, or another editor on the /tmp/cu* files to "see" what is in the ODM.
You can also "grep" for items, if you know what you are looking for, like this: (This assumes that
you put the output of the odmget commands in the /tmp directory, in files beginning with the letters
"cu".)

grep 'ent_name' /tmp/cu*
where "ent_name" is the word for which you are looking. For example: grep ent2 /tmp/cu*

Step 3

WARNING: If you run " -o CuAt", you will delete EVERYTHING in /etc/objrepos/CuAt!
Consider backing up each /etc/objrepos/Cu* file if you have not already done so.

You can put the commands below in a file, make it executable, and run it.
It will delete anything in the ODM that is associated with et2. You will want to also delete all ent2 entries.

DEVICE=et2
# odmdelete -q "name = $DEVICE" -o CuAt
# odmdelete -q "parent = $DEVICE" -o CuDv
# odmdelete -q "name = $DEVICE" -o CuDv
# odmdelete -q "name = $DEVICE" -o CuDep
# odmdelete -q "dependency = $DEVICE" -o CuDep
# odmdelete -q "value1 = $DEVICE" -o CuDvDr
# odmdelete -q "value3 = $DEVICE" -o CuDvDr