How To Configure A VIOS Media Repository - Virtual Media Library (Ex. AIX Install - Restore)

3/28/2021 How to configure a VIOS Media Repository/Virtual Media Library (ex.
AIX Install/Restore)
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How to configure a VIOS Media Repository/Virtual Media Library (ex. AIX
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Install/Restore)
Question & Answer
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 2.2.x.
Answer
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/how-configure-vios-media-repositoryvirtual-media-library-ex-aix-installrestore 1/17
3/28/2021 How to configure a VIOS Media Repository/Virtual Media Library (ex. AIX Install/Restore)
PART I. REQUIREMENTS BEFORE PROCEEDING

PART II. PERFORMING NEW AIX INSTALL WITH VML
PART III. PERFORMING MKSYSB RESTORE WITH MKSYSB ISO AND VML
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
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/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

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 ~

--------------- ----------------------------- -------------------

vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002
VTD L1_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
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
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
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528

$ loadopt -vtd vtopt0 -disk base_61_TL7
$ lsrep
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528

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
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528

# 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
10198 2979 rootvg 139776 22528

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:

--------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------
vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002
VTD L1_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
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:
--------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------
vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002
VTD L1_rootvg
Status Available

LUN 0x8100000000000000
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

(Total Sum of ISO file sizes = 3143204864 or 3.143 G)
Ensure that the repository has enough space:
$ lsrep
10198 2979 rootvg 139776 22528

lpar1_sysb 2976 vtopt0 ro
The repository needs more space. Increase the size of the repository.
$ chrep -size 2G
Check the space available.

$ lsrep
12238 5019 rootvg 139776 20480

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
Volume3
Volum4
Volume5
Verify that all of the volumes have been made into a virtual disk:
$ lsrep
12239 2022 rootvg 139776 20480

lpar2_sysb_vol1 643 None rw

Check that a vtopt has been mapped to the appropriate vhost serving the client and that the backing device is available:
--------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------
vhost1 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C12 0x00000003
VTD L2_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
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:

...

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.
Document Information
More support for:
Virtual I/O Server

Software version:
2.2.4, 2.2.3, 2.2.2, 2.2.1, 2.2.0
Operating system(s):
AIX
Document number:
720539
Modified date:
14 November 2018

How To Configure A VIOS Media Repository - Virtual Media Library (Ex. AIX Install - Restore)

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3/28/2021 How to conﬁgure a VIOS Media Repository/Virtual Media Library (ex.

Support Downloads  Documentation  Forums Cases  Monitoring  Manage support account 

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

Contact and feedback

Question & Answer

PART I. REQUIREMENTS BEFORE PROCEEDING

PART I. REQUIREMENTS BEFORE PROCEEDING:

Please ensure the following requirements are met before proceeding:

2. A basic understanding of managing VIO virtual optical devices.

Contact and feedback

PART II. PERFORMING NEW AIX INSTALL WITH VML:

Step 2: Create/Modify the media repository

1. Create the repository in rootvg:

$ mkrep -sp rootvg -size 6G

Contact and feedback

2. Create the repository in a new VG:

$ mkvg -vg <new volume group name> hdisk#

3. Increasing the size of the media repository:

Step 3: Create the virtual media disk

Step 4: Verify the virtual media disk is part of the repository

Contact and feedback

Create the vtopt device.

~ Shown with the vtopt device ~

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Step 6: Load the virtual media disk on the vtopt device:

Name File Size Optical Access

Contact and feedback

$ loadopt -vtd vtopt0 -disk base_61_TL7

Name File Size Optical Access

A.) Activate the AIX Partition to the SMS Menu

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Select Device Type

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$lsmap -vadapter vhost0

2. Normal Mode Boot <<<

Are you sure you want to exit System Management Services?

Step 8: Install the AIX operating system.

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Step 10: Removing the VM Library

A.) Unmap the vtopt# VTDs from the vhost(s)

C.) Remove the repository:

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Step 3: Verify the new virtual media disk in the repository:

Name File Size Optical Access

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Step 5: Restoring a mksysb with multiple volumes

Locate the directory with your multiple ISO images.

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(Total Sum of ISO ﬁle sizes = 3143204864 or 3.143 G)

Ensure that the repository has enough space:

Name File Size Optical Access

Check the space available.

Name File Size Optical Access

Now, create the virtual media disks out of each volume.

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Name File Size Optical Access

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Verify it's been assigned as the backing device: