Configuring a NIM client and NIM mksysb image
Configuring a server as a client of an existing NIM master
Check that the client has the following filesets installed
# lslpp -l | grep -i nim.client bos.sysmgt.nim.client 5.3.7.0 COMMITTED Network Install Manager - bos.sysmgt.nim.client 5.3.7.0 COMMITTED Network Install Manager -
Ensure the above filesets are installed and then configure the server as a client of the NIM server by typing the following
smitty eznim
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EZ NIM (Easy NIM Tool) Move cursor to desired item and press Enter. Configure as a NIM Master Configure as a NIM Client
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Select "Configure as a NIM Client"
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Configure as a NIM Client Move cursor to desired item and press Enter. Add this system to a NIM environment Configure Client Communication Services Update this system Reinstall this system Reset this system Show the NIM environment
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Select "Add this system to a NIM environment"
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Easy NIM - Client Configuration
Type or select values in entry fields.
Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.
[Entry Fields]
* Machine Name []
* Primary Network Install Interface []
* Host Name of Network Install Master []
Hardware Platform Type chrp
Kernel to use for Network Boot [mp]
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Configure the above fields as appropriate and then press return
Check that there is now a /etc/niminfo file on the client, the contents of which should look similar to the following
#cat /etc/niminfo #------------------ Network Install Manager --------------- # warning - this file contains NIM configuration information # and should only be updated by NIM export NIM_NAME=client1 export NIM_HOSTNAME=client1 export NIM_CONFIGURATION=standalone export NIM_MASTER_HOSTNAME=master1 export NIM_MASTER_PORT=1058 export NIM_REGISTRATION_PORT=1059 export NIM_SHELL="shell" export NIM_BOS_IMAGE=/SPOT/usr/sys/inst.images/installp/ppc/bos export NIM_BOS_FORMAT=rte export NIM_HOSTS=" 192.168.0.4:client1 192.168.0.1:master1 " export NIM_MOUNTS=""
We now need to check that the master can "see" the client. To do this run the following command on the master NIM server.
lsnim -c machines
master1 machines master client1 machines standalone client2 machines standalone client3 machines standalone client4 machines standalone client5 machines standalone
In this case we can see the client1 is recognised as a NIM client
To get detailed client information use the following command.
lsnim -l client1
You should get output similar to the following
client1: class = machines type = standalone connect = shell comments = client1 platform = chrp netboot_kernel = mp if1 = network1 client1 00095BBEC8B6 ent1 net_settings1 = auto auto cable_type1 = tp Cstate = ready for a NIM operation prev_state = ready for a NIM operation Mstate = currently running cpuid = 00C7E6DB6C00
At this point some of the fields above may not be set, additional fields can be configured by running the following command on the master NIM server.
smitty nim
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Network Installation Management Move cursor to desired item and press Enter. Configure the NIM Environment Perform NIM Software Installation and Maintenance Tasks Perform NIM Administration Tasks Create IPL ROM Emulation Media NIM POWER5 Tools Thin Server Maintenance
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Select "Perform NIM Administration Tasks"
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Perform NIM Administration Tasks Move cursor to desired item and press Enter. Manage Networks Manage Machines Manage Resources Manage Groups Backup/Restore the NIM Database Configure NIM Environment Options Rebuild the niminfo File on the Master Change the Master's Primary Interface Manage Alternate Master Environment Unconfigure NIM
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Select "Manage Machines"
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Manage Machines Move cursor to desired item and press Enter. List All Machines Define a Machine Change/Show Characteristics of a Machine Specify New Master for Client Machine Remove a Machine Manage Network Install Interfaces Manage Network Install Resource Allocation Perform Operations on Machines Query Remote Machine Manage Secondary Adapter Definition Files
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Select "Change/Show Characteristics of a Machine"
Choose the server
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Change/Show Characteristics of a Machine
Type or select values in entry fields.
Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.
[Entry Fields]
Machine Name [client1]
* Hardware Platform Type [chrp]
* Kernel to use for Network Boot [mp]
Machine Type standalone
Network Install Machine State currently running
Network Install Control State ready for a NIM operation
Primary Network Install Interface
Network Name network1
Host Name [client1v2]
Network Adapter Hardware Address [00095BBEC8B6]
Network Adapter Logical Device Name [ent1]
Cable Type tp
Network Speed Setting [auto]
Network Duplex Setting [auto]
IPL ROM Emulation Device []
CPU Id [00C7E6DB6C00]
Communication Protocol used by client [shell]
NFS Client Reserved Ports []
Comments [client1]
Force no
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Any additional fields can be configured from this screen.
If you need to determine the CPU ID then use the following command.
uname -m
Creating a NIM mksysb resource
The mksysb resource is a file containing the image of the root volume group (generated with the AIX mksysb command) of a machine. It is used to restore a machine, or to install it from scratch (also known as “cloning” a client). A mksysb resource can be defined by first creating the mksysb image with SMIT or the mksysb command, and then using SMIT defining the resource that references the backup image file.
A mksysb resource can also be defined using CLI as follows:
nim -o define -t mksysb -a source=<client_to_backup> -a server=master -a location=<location to store file> RESOURCE_NAME
To create the mksysb image of the client at the same time as defining a mksysb resource type:
nim -o define -t mksysb -a source=client1 -a server=master -a mk_image=yes -a location=/export/mksysb_clients/client1/client1.mksysb client1_image
Creating server groups with additional spot resources
Group servers by functionality in server groups. All servers in one group can then share a spot resource.
Creation of the server group
nim -o define -t mac_group -a add_member=oraprod1 -a comments="The spot for this group is Oracle_prod_spot" Oracle_prod_group
Add additional members to the group
nim -o change -a add_member=oraprod2 Oracle_prod_group
List the attributes of the group
lsnim -l Oracle_prod_group
Oracle_prod_group: class = groups type = mac_group comments = The spot for this group is Oracle_prod_spot member1 = oraprod1 member2 = oraprod2
Next create spot resources form a mksysb image of one of the servers in the group.
nim -o define -t spot -a source=oraprod1_image -a server=master -a location=/export/spot Oracle_prod_spot
List the attributes of the spot
lsnim -l Oracle_prod_spot
Oracle_prod_spot: class = resources type = spot plat_defined = chrp arch = power Rstate = ready for use prev_state = verification is being performed location = /export/spot/Oracle_prod_spot/usr version = 5 release = 3 mod = 7 oslevel_r = 5300-07 alloc_count = 0 server = master if_supported = chrp.mp ent Rstate_result = success mksysb_source = oraprod1_image