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Welcome to the POWER6/POWER7 and AIX6 Hands-On Technical Product Demonstrations
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The idea is to provide the "cook book" information to get your started with these new interesting technologies and to answer some basic questions:
- What is it about?
- How do I get started?
- What are a few typical first good uses I could start with?
- How easy is it to use?
- How could this save me time or money?
- Where can I get more information?
We hope you find these movies interesting and let you make a flying start.
Currently, the movies add up to 22.65 hours of free education on the hottest topics.
Quick links to the main sections:
- POWER7 Processor
- AIX Workload Partitions
- AIX6 and AIX7 Operating System Features
- POWER6 Processor Features
- Integrated Virtualization Manager (IVM)
- Other Cool & Interesting Stuff
- IBM System Director 6.3 on AIX
- IBM System Director 6.2 on AIX
- Thirteen More Director 6 Movies
- Back to POWER Basics
- New Virtualisation Features
- PowerHA SystemMirror 7.1 for AIX
The latest movies added are:
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Notes on getting the movies to work on your PC:
- These movies are in Windows Movie Format (.wmv) to make them small enough to watch over the internet or download but this means some quality has been lost from the Audio Video Interleave (.avi) originals which are 60 MB to 90 MBs in size.
- When tested on some PCs it took 4 to 5 minutes to start the movie - please be patient and don't just assume its broken - some browsers download the entire movie before they start playing it.
- Other browsers handle the media file differently - some start Windows Media Player and some start it within the browser itself. Also I have found that some auto resize the movie to fit the window - so start the movie in a suitable sized browser window. The movies where first recorded at 1024x768 but later ones at 800x600 but higher resolution. Sorry but I rather create new movies than try to regenerate them all to one size. If the movie does not fit your screen the best fix is to upgrade your screen to at least 1280x1024
- If all else fails try to download the .wmv file and play locally on your machine: using Right Click on the Download link below and selecting "Save Link as" or "Save Target as". This may highlight your PC does not support this format (good luck sorting that out!).
- Linux workstation users - ideas please, can Linux handle the .mwv format? If so, how or a good alternative solution is welcome.
- Windows 7 users - some of the older movies do not work with Windows 7 Media Player. This appears to be missing CODEC's from Windows 7 that were in early Windows versions send your comments to Microsoft. We fixed this by downloading the ACELP CODEC from http://www.voiceage.com/acelp_eval.php
 - strictly at your own risk. I installed the Vista-64 version as I run Windows 7. Then watching the movie via the Windows Media Center (not the Player).
- For Windows 7 these movies have been remastered (August 2010) to fix Windows 7 problems of lack of certain CODECs found in earlier Windows versions, poor audio or hangs half way through: DFP, HMC7 Partition Mobility, Memory Keys, Partition Priority, CPU Pools and Monitoring Pools, Ganglia and PowerVM LX86.
- Feed back and further ideas for movies to Nigel Griffiths - nag at uk dot ibm dot com
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Other AIX, Power and Related Technology Movies
Other places to look for movies - no guarantees and at your own risk
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New POWER7 Processor Features
These are features introduced on the new POWER7 processor and not available on earlier processors.
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 79 |
 |
Active Memory Expansion |
18.5 |
POWER7 based machines introduces the Active Memory Expansion (AME) which makes the memory of an AIX 6 Logical Partition (LPAR) seem larger than is actually is by compression memory pages on the fly. This movie covers the basics of how it works, how to switch it on at the LPAR level, running the "amepat" tool to predetermine good AME settings and its effect and then how to monitor it while its running.
For more information check the new AME wiki or find the White papers website and then click on WhitePapers link. |
AIX6 Workload Partitions In Detail
Workload Partition (WPAR), WPAR Manager and Application Mobility (AM) are part of AIX 6. This series of moves introduces the topic, concepts and gets in to the details of managing and controlling them. It is assumed you are familiar with AIX Systems Administration.
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 1 |
 |
WPAR part1
The Theory |
12 |
AIX 6 Workload Partition Introduction and Key Features - a mini presentation.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook
Remastered to avoid CODEC issues |
| 2 |
 |
WPAR part2
WPAR Manager
Intro |
9 |
AIX6 WPAR Manager basics - Login, a look around the Graphical User Interface and Start/Stop WPAR
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook
After installing WPAR Mgr don't forget to run configure it with /opt/IBM/WPAR/manager/bin/WPMConfig.sh
Remastered to avoid CODEC issues |
| 3 |
 |
WPAR part3
Mobility
Relocation |
5 |
AIX6 WPAR Mobility/Relocate using WPAR Manager.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook
Remastered to avoid CODEC issues |
| 4 |
 |
WPAR part4
Simple Create |
6 |
Creating a simple WPAR with WPAR Manager.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook
Remastered to avoid CODEC issues |
| 5 |
 |
WPAR part5
Detailed Create |
3 |
AIX6 Creating a WPAR with the WPAR Manager Wizard.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook
Remastered to avoid CODEC issues |
| 6 |
 |
WPAR part6
p5 to p6
Relocate |
6 |
AIX6 WPAR Mobility from POWER5 to POWER6 machines.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook
Remastered to avoid CODEC issues |
| 7 |
 |
WPAR part7
Full Properties |
9 |
A look around WPAR Properties that can be Modified. Remastered to avoid CODEC issues
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook
Remastered to avoid CODEC issues |
| 8 |
 |
WPAR part8
Command Line |
16 |
Command line control of WPAR and a quick look at Application type WPARs.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook
Remastered to avoid CODEC issues |
| 9 |
 |
WPAR part9
Compare Global
and WPAR Env. |
12 |
Comparing the global AIX and WPAR environments.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook
Remastered to avoid CODEC issues |
| 19 |
 |
WPAR part10
Backup & Clone |
10 |
Workload Partition - Backup, Restore and Cloning is simple, small and quick. The backup file is only a few MB as there is no need to save AIX and Cloning a WPAR takes just a couple of minutes.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook
Remastered to avoid CODEC issues |
| 56 |
 |
WPAR part11
Faster Relocation |
7 |
Workload Partition - With WPAR Mgr 1.2 in November 2008, a new memory to memory Application Mobility feature avoids the NFS I/O means both faster relocation and reduced WPAR freeze time.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook |
| 57 |
 |
WPAR part12
Static Relocation |
8 |
With WPAR Mgr 1.2 in November 2008, if your WPARs have to use disk space local to the global AIX rather than NFS, you can still use static relocation to automatically and quickly stop the WPAR, backup it up, move the backup file, restore the backup and start the WPAR on a different machine.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook |
| 71 |
 |
WPAR part13
WPAR Mgr 2.1 |
28 |
WPAR Mgr 2.1 in November 2009: is now a Director 6 Plug-in this is a major integration with the strategic IBM systems Management tool. Watch this movie for hints on installing, configuring and then using the new GUI. All the same functions are there but a little different and some new ones too. For learning Director itself see the Director 6 movies.
For more information read the WPAR Redbook NEW: Exploiting WPARs Redbook |
| 82 |
 |
Versioned WPAR
for AIX 5.2 |
26 |
With AIX 7 and POWER7 you now have the option to run AIX 5.2 within a WPAR. This will run the same OS, same middle-ware and same application but on right up to date hardware and OS. Then you can remove the old POWER4 or older hardware to reduce electricity & heat, free up floor or rack space, reduce hardware maintenance, reduced risk, and either a performance boost or reduce CPU count for reduced software licence costs. And its really easy to move - just load your AIX 5.2 mksysb into the WPAR. |
New AIX6 Operating System Features
These are features of the latest AIX release and are not found on previous releases or are greatly enhanced on AIX 6 and are not functions of the hardware i.e. will work on any machine supporting AIX6 - which is POWER4 onwards.
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 13 |
 |
AIX6 System
Director
pConsole |
5 |
AIX 6 IBM System Director Console for System p or pConsole for short - System Admin Browser tool (like WebSM and Smitty). This was the first movie - its a little rough!
For more information read the AIX6 Differences Redbook |
| 14 |
 |
AIX6 RBAC =
Role based
Access Control |
14 |
AIX 6 Role Based Access Control (RBAC) by a few simple examples.
For more information read the Security Redbook |
| 16 |
 |
AIX6 JFS2 with
the no log
option
|
4 |
AIX 6 JFS2 with no log for high performance file movement.
For more information read the AIX6 Differences Redbook |
| 17 |
 |
AIX6 JFS2 with
in-line snapshot
option
|
5 |
AIX 6 JFS2 with in line snapshot for point in time backup & rapid file recovery.
For more information read the AIX6 Differences Redbook |
| 20 |
 |
AIX6 Probevue
new wave
monitoring |
14 |
Probevue a new way to monitor, dynamic trace and investigate AIX6 kernel and user programs with no need to even stop the application.
For more information go to AIX Wiki page on Probevue |
| 25 |
 |
AIX6 Encrypted
File System |
20 |
AIX 6 Encrypted File System provides high security to important files and data. So secure that even the super-user/root user can't read it or access it.
For more information read the Security Redbook |
| 54 |
 |
System Hardening
with aixpert |
23 |
AIX 6 includes the "aixpert" command to make system hardening easier and largely automated. There are multiple levels and a set of rules, commands and arguments for each. You can also make a custom rule set based on the given rules for your circumstances. The aixpert command also appears in recent levels of AIX 5.3.
For more information read the Security Redbook . Also see the new aixpert Hints and Tips AIX wiki webpage. |
| 55 |
 |
System Hardening
with fpm |
17 |
AIX 6 includes the File Permission Manager (fpm) command to help in system hardening by removing unnecessary SUID and SGID file permissions from roughly 270 root user commands. Particularly, useful for servers that don't allow regular UNIX users. This makes it much harder for "hackers" to gain root user access from a regular user account. You can also manage your own application SUID programs or further reduce the number of system SUID programs. The fpm command also appears in recent levels of AIX 5.3.
For more information read the AIX 6 Security Features Redbook . |
| 62 |
 |
Solid State Drive (SSD) |
23 |
In May 2009, AIX supports these special new Solid State Devices (SSD) with no moving parts. Not only that but they are extremely fast compared to a hard disk (like 200 to 300 times faster) and take less electrical power too. They do, however, need to be formatted and configured with the "diag" AIX command before they can be used. This movie takes one apart, shows you how to set one up and then runs two simple tests to confirm it is working properly. After creating this movie I found that you can also get to the SAS Disk Manager menu via smitty->Devices->Disk Array->SAS Disk Array-> SAS Disk Array Manager or in one command "smitty sas_raid_menu" |
New POWER6 Processor Features
These are features introduced on the new POWER6 processor and not available on earlier processors. While the HMC7 is required for POWER6 based machines it also supports POWER5 and POWER5+ based machines.
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 10 |
 |
POWER6 Decimal
Floating Point |
4 |
POWER6 Decimal Floating Point calculations on the processor, particularly good for money calculations.
Remastered to help Windows 7 - August 2010.
For more information go to the AIX Wiki page for DFP - this includes the source code used here. |
| 15 |
 |
HMC7 = Hardware
Management
Console |
17 |
POWER6 Hardware Management Console 7 (HMC7) - a look around at the new faster interface. HMC7 also supports POWER5 machines.
Remastered to help Windows 7 - August 2010.
For more information read the Hardware Management Console 7 Redbook |
| 18 |
 |
POWER6
Partition Mobility |
9 |
Jump an entire Logical Partition from one POWER6 machine to another in a fraction of a second.
Remastered to help Windows 7 - August 2010.
For more information read the Partition Mobility Redbook |
| 21 |
 |
POWER6 Memory
Protection Keys |
13 |
Memory Protection Keys allow you to detect programming mistakes were stray pointer damage the wrong part of your data. These can be nearly impossible to find otherwise. It also allows catches duff storage procedure or user written code from causing chaos.
Remastered to help Windows 7 - August 2010.
For more information go to AIX Wiki page on Memory Keys |
| 22 |
 |
POWER6
Partition Priority |
7 |
HMC7 and POWER6 machines allow you to decide the most important Logical Partitions. In the unlikely event of a CPU failure, the priority is used to decide which LPARs are closed down to keep the others running.
Remastered to help Windows 7 - August 2010.
For more information read the HMC7 Redbook chapter 7 |
| 23 |
 |
POWER6
Multiple Shared
CPU Pools |
9 |
HMC7 and POWER6 machines allow you to have more than one Shared CPU pool - this is excellent for limiting LPARs to not break Application License based on the total number of CPUs that application can run on. It can also be used for controlling the performance of groups of LPARs.
Remastered to help Windows 7 - August 2010. |
| 24 |
 |
POWER6
Shared CPU &
Pool Monitoring |
16 |
The benefits of Shared CPUs are many, including reduced costs and higher performance peak handling but its important to monitor the Shared CPU Pool (unused CPU cycles) and logical partition physical CPU use (not the old utilisation statistics which are misleading).
Remastered to help Windows 7 - August 2010. |
Integrated Virtualization Manager (IVM) - the HMC alternative
IVM is the alternative to the hardware management console (HMC) for the smaller machines (i.e. not POWER6 p570 or p595). The HMC like functions runs within the first Logical Partition (LPAR) which is the Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) and are accessed via a web browser. the below tn movies covers the basics and the prime Systems Management functions.
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 26 |
 |
Install IVM
& using the
IVM website |
11 |
IVM is installed on to a "blank" machine such as the Power Systems and System p p505, p510, 520, p550, POWER6 520, 550 and JS22/12. First, the VIO Server is installed which will include IVM. Then four important commands are user to set it up and then everything is done on the IVM website that is not running. This session includes a look around the website options.
For more information go to the IVM Redbook |
| 27 |
 |
Prepare IVM
for the first LPAR |
5 |
Setting up the IVM Virtual Ethernet bridging and the disk storage pools ready for the first IVM and Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) Client Logical Partition (LPAR). Note: with POWER6 there are more options.
For more information go to the IVM Redbook |
| 28 |
 |
Create 1st client
LPAR: name,
memory, CPU, network &disks |
7 |
Step by step creating your first Client LPAR - it takes far longer to explain than actually do it!
For more information go to the IVM Redbook |
| 29 |
 |
Installing the
operating system via the Console
|
10 |
Start up the LPAR and install the operating system via the remote console. Here AIX is used as the example of how to install from DVD or how to install over the network but the same methods can be used for Linux or IBM i OS.
For more information go to the IVM Redbook |
| 30 |
 |
House keeping & tidy up |
8 |
Various typical early changes are made to IVM and the first LPAR including renaming LPARs, check auto-start, update IVM explained, check firmware levels, HEA use, Stop & Start LPARs, Select All, Update screen, Help = actually quite good! and Dynamic LPARs.
For more information go to the IVM Redbook |
| 31 |
 |
Performance &
CPU Control |
8 |
Performance Monitoring via the IVM website and time lag, watching a busy client LPAR CPU use and using shared CPUs with guaranteed entitlements. Controlling the CPU use in four ways: free for all, limiting virtual processors, using the soft capped feature to use just the entitlement, balancing across LPARs using weights
For more information go to the IVM Redbook |
| 32 |
 |
Assigning Physical Adapters to client
LPARs |
6 |
Adding a physical adapter to a IVM client LPAR, getting the adapter online in AIX, diagrams of the three options (virtual adapters via the VIO Server, HEA/IVE for hardware virtual networking or physical adapters slots and card for direct I/O.
For more information go to the IVM Redbook |
| 33 |
 |
Create users and
backing up LPARs |
10 |
Creating more users and read-only users plus how to backup the IVM Server and IVM Client LPARs configuration and the disks in various ways including Tape, DVD-RAM, NFS, remotely over a Network.
For more information go to the IVM Redbook |
| 34 |
 |
Using physical and
virtual Optical devices |
9 |
Moving the physical CD/DVD between LPARs. Creating the Media Library and installing .iso images as virtual optical drives - finally creating a Read/Write DVD-RAM type device which can be used for backups.
For more information go to the IVM Redbook.
Reference sheet for equivalent Virtual I/O Server Optical Commands to use if using a HMC. |
| 35 |
 |
Partition Mobility
between IVM machines |
9 |
This is PowerVM Partition Mobility (PM) but controlled via two IVM Servers (instead of a HMC). This requires POWER6 machines, a recent level of AIX and VIOS 1.5.2.
For more information read the Partition Mobility Redbook |
Other Cool and Interesting Stuff
These movies don't fall into the other categories but are interesting and useful. Ganglia is not from IBM but many System Administrators find it invaluable for monitoring whole machines and it is easily extended. For those running Linux for POWER the IBM PowerVM Lx86 tool provides the very useful ability to run Intel/AMD binaries.
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 11 |
 |
Ganglia
Performance Monitoring
across machines |
15 |
Ganglia the popular Open Source cluster monitoring tool. Extended on POWER Systems to monitor at both the Global whole machine (CEC) level and individual LPAR machine use. It include all the POWER5 and POWER6 numbers like physical CPU used and Entitlements.
Remastered to help Windows 7 - August 2010.
For more information go to the AIX Wiki page for Ganglia |
| 12 |
 |
Linux for Power
PowerVM Lx86
Translator |
27 |
PowerVM Lx86 allows you to run Linux for x86 (Intel and AMD) application unmodified on System p POWER machines running Linux. This translator means you can consolidate Linux application to gain the System benefits and features.
Remastered to help out poor old Windows 7 - August 2010.
For more information read the PowerVM LX86 Redbook |
| 46 |
 |
nmon - Get You Started |
19 |
The author of nmon (Nigel Griffiths) covers finding nmon, downloading, installing, running nmon online for live performance monitoring, capturing data to a file and using the nmon Analyser to create all the important performance graphs. What's more you get to see what this guy looks like!
For more information read the Wiki websites for nmon Performance Monitor, nmon Analyser or add a question or comment on the Performance Tools Forum at Developerworks |
| 47 |
 |
nmon - version 12 |
40 |
This 30 slide presentation covers the new nmon features of nmon version 12. Some are to support new features for AIX 6 and POWER6 but 20 are general improvements in usability, bug fixes, new performance data and direct Shared Ethernet Adapter and Fibre Channel statistics. Many of these are as a result of user requests. Find out the details and upgrade now!
For more information read the Wiki websites for nmon Performance Monitor, nmon Analyser or add a question or comment on the Performance Tools Forum at Developerworks |
| 50 |
 |
nmon now in AIX |
26 |
nmon is now part of AIX from AIX 5.3 TL09 and AIX 6.1 TL02 and onwards. This movie covers the details, how this was done, why the nmon features are integrated into the topas command, some beneficial side effects and a demonstration of the two versions side by side. Also covered is the transition to this fully supported nmon and the additional new smitty and pConsole user interfaces.
For more information read the Wiki websites for nmon Performance Monitor, nmon Analyser or add a question or comment on the Performance Tools Forum at Developerworks |
IBM System Director 6.3 on AIX (released December 2011)
This is a new section as we have a growing list of Director 6.3 Movies.
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 100 |
 |
ISD 6.3 for AIX Install |
16 |
Simple but longer IBM Systems Director 6.3 installation.
For more information see the main IBM Systems Director 6 Website or direct to the Downloads
Before install watch Installing Director 6.2 on AIX - Hints and Tips and Information Sources |
| 104 |
 |
ISD 6.3 First Use |
13 |
This IBM Systems Director (ISD) version 6.3 movie covers a first look around at the new version and in particularly looking for differences to the previous version. Including where to Activate the Active Energy Manager and VMControl plug-ins which are now installed with the base ISD, which starts the 90 day trial. Then does a quick Discovery, Gain Access and Inventory of a HMC (always start with the HMC's for Power Systems) and finally download the "FixCentral" like software updates for AIX, HMC, VIOS and System Firmware and take a quick look at them. |
| 105 |
 |
ISD 6.3 New Inventory Features |
9 |
This IBM Systems Director (ISD) version 6.3 movie covers just the new Inventory functions. First there is a option to collect Inventory without having to see the out of date one - making requesting Inventory much faster. The Inventory summary is much more useful and has the details we typically want like full OS level, the underlying hardware, the LPARs on the HMC. There is also options to see a full report including the AIX lslpp output and a way to download a comma separated values (.CSV) of the data for saving or other uses |
| 108 |
 |
ISD 6.3 Activate Plug-in Trials |
5 |
This IBM Systems Director (ISD) version 6.3 movie covers the activation of the two plug-ins that are installed with the ISD based product as default. These are Active Energy Manager (AEM) and VMControl Enterprise. Just don't click the Activate link until you are really ready to start the 90 day trial. |
| 110 |
 |
ISD 6.3 Importing Updates |
10 |
This IBM Systems Director (ISD) version 6.3 movie covers importing Updates like HMC, VIOS, System Firmware, AIX Technology Levels and Service packs and AIX device drivers in to the Update Manager. This Importing is only necessary if the Systems Director server can't access the Internet to find and download the updates itself. Typically this is not allowed for security reasons. The Import is the way to work around this. The Imported updates are then ready to push out to the Endpoints as normal. Your upgrades are then only a few clicks away and fully automated. |
IBM System Director 6.2 on AIX
This is a new section as we have a growing list of Director 6 Movies.
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 81 |
 |
IBM Systems Director 6.2 for AIX Install |
9 |
The install is much easier now with Director 6.2. IBM Systems Director 6 is a strategic IBM Systems Management product across IBM platforms (AIX, IBM i, Mainframe, Linux and even Windows) with a growing number of additional plug-ins and more planned for the next year. It is easy to install on AIX.
For more information see the main IBM Systems Director 6 Website
Before install watch Installing Director 6 on AIX - Hints and Tips and Information Sources |
| 64 |
 |
IBM Systems Director 6 for AIX Install |
54 |
NOTE: the install is much easier now with Director 6.2, see movie 81. IBM Systems Director 6 is a strategic IBM Systems Management product across IBM platforms (AIX, IBM i, Mainframe, Linux and even Windows) with a growing number of additional plug-ins and more planned for the next year. It is tricky to install on AIX and made harder that you have to immediately update the basic release to the current release using Director 6 itself. Here are the details of how to install this on AIX, with many hard won tricks and tips.
For more information read the Implementing IBM Systems Director 6 Redbook
Or watch the 6 minute Director 6 Overview
The movie makers Installing Director 6 on AIX - Hints and Tips and Information Sources & includes the websites to find out more information. |
| 65 |
 |
IBM Systems Director 6 Common Agent for AIX 5.3 InstallD |
7 |
For IBM Systems Director 6 to work with AIX, the Common Agent needs to be install on all endpoints (AIX and VIOS). Although very recent AIX releases have this as a default, the bulk of currently running AIX releases will need the agent installed. This is relatively straight forward and quick (ignoring the install time minutes). Here we show how to install on AIX 5.3 TL07
For more information read the Implementing IBM Systems Director 6 Redbook |
| 66 |
 |
Director 6 Discover endpoints, gain Access and take Inventory |
16 |
Once Director 6 Server and the Common Agent are install on each AIX logical partition and VIOS endpoints, you then get the Server to Discover the end points, give Director 6 the passwords to access the machines and take Inventory (via Run Now and scheduled on a regular basis). Now you have a set or group of machines on which you can perform systems management operations and so get the benefits of Director 6 automation, monitoring and control.
For more information read the Implementing IBM Systems Director 6 Redbook |
| 67 |
 |
IBM Director 6 Health & Status |
29 |
Using the Director 6 Status Manager for your logical partitions and Virtual I/O Server to monitor their status, graph their performance, add thresholds and generate alerts. Also covered is the mini Dashboard, setting up your Favourites and finding out problems. The Status Manager is your first port of call to find out what is happening on your server farm.
For more information read the Implementing IBM Systems Director 6 Redbook |
| 68 |
 |
IBM Director 6 Common Agent Update |
8 |
Using Director 6 to updating the Common Agent on your AIX End-Point to the latest version. There is no package for the Common Agent as it comes as 10 smaller packages but Director 6 Update Manager will work this out for you (if you take the right options). Don't forget to manually restart the Common Agent after the update. Also, a server command to confirm the new Common agent version.
For more information read the Implementing IBM Systems Director 6 Redbook
The movie makers CA Update Hints |
| 69 |
 |
IBM Director 6 on AIX Top Ten Hints |
20 |
If you are trying Director 6 on AIX for the first time then here are my top ten hints to get an early success. Use these hints and this configuration of HMC, VIOS, AIX and NIM to make life easier as it will avoid problems. Also make sure you use Director 6.1.2 (out now, Nov 2009) or higher as this includes a single script to Install and Update Director 6 in one go - thus avoiding the complex initial update.
For more information see: 1) Director Website, 2) Director Movies, 3) Director Docs and most importantly Director Redwiki for new AIX Hints and Tips |
| 70 |
|
IBM Systems Director 6.1.2
for AIX Install+Update |
15 |
NOTE: the install is much easier now with Director 6.2, see movie 81. Director 6.1.2 was released in November 2009. It has many new features and supports updated advanced Plug-ins expecting in December. One big advantage is the single script to Install and Update to the latest version - this makes getting to the latest version very simple. This movie shows the preparation and installation using this new method.
Please watch the above Top Ten Hints movie 69, before your Installation. Notes on Installing |
| 71 |
|
WPAR Mgr 2.1 |
28 |
Workload Partition Manager 2.1 in November 2009: is now a Director 6 Plug-in. Watch this movie for hints on installing, configuring and then using WPAR mgr 2.1. All the same functions of the stand alone tools are there but a little different and some new ones too.
For more information on AIX 6 WPARs see the above movies |
| 72 |
 |
Director 6 updating AIX |
25 |
How to get Director 6 to update AIX endpoints via a NIM Server. Initial setup is a little complex but from then on you can update one or a whole group of LPARs or machines in a few seconds. This include Technology Level (TL) updates and Service Pack (SP) updates.
Click this link for more information on the commands used to Update AIX in this movie. |
| 73 |
 |
Director 6.1.2 to 6.1.2.1 Update |
3 |
For VMControl 2.2 you need Director 6.1.2.1 but you can use Director to quickly upgrade to this level from the previous one. |
| 74 |
 |
Director 6 User Time-outs |
3 |
If you find the Director 6 default 30 minute inactivity time-out for logging you off and ditching all your context annoying - this movie tells out how to increase the time-out or switch off completely. The file used is /opt/ibm/director/lwi/conf/overrides/usmi_settings.properties find the line containing "sessionsGlobalTimeout" to more minutes or -1 (minus one) to disable the inactivity time-out. Then restart Director 6 Server: smstop; smtart; smstatus -r |
| 75 |
 |
Director 6 VMControl Install |
15 |
The Director 6 plug-in called VMControl 2.2 (released late 2009) is "very tricky" to install. This movie shows how to do it quickly avoiding the problems and to confirm it worked. Warning: your NIM server must be AIX 6.1 TL03 or higher for VMControl. This movie used the GUI install over VNC - I am told the silent + response file method also works, see the AEM Install for an example of that. On Systems Director 6.2 the NIM subagent is found on the server at /opt/ibm/director/packaging/agent/CommonAgentSubagent_VMControl_NIM_2.3.0/com.ibm.director.im.rf.nim.subagent.zip |
| 76 |
 |
Director 6 VMControl Capture |
7 |
VMControl 2.2 Image Management allows the capture and deploy of Virtual Appliances - in Power/AIX terms this means mksysb and NIM installation of a LPAR including the automated creating of the LPAR. This movie covers the Capture part, which is pretty easy once you have every things as Director 6 endpoints and the target LPAR also as a NIM Client. Note: I am told VMControl will make the target LPAR a NIM client (if your don't) |
| 77 |
 |
Director 6 VMControl Deploy |
17 |
VMControl 2.2 Image Management will deploy of Virtual Appliance - in Power/AIX terms this means creating the LPAR, assigning virtual disk and virtual network and then using the virtual appliance mksysb and NIM to installation AIX. This movie covers the process involved, the very simple user request for a new LPAR and then various tools are used to watch the LPAR creation and NIM installation. Normally, you would not monitor the LPAR creation & install - just find the LPAR running after say 20 to 30 minutes. |
| 78 |
 |
Director 6 AEM Install silent mode |
5 |
This movie simply installs the Active Energy Manager plug-in to Director 6 using the silent install method - this method may work with other plug-ins too and avoids using X Windows and VNC. |
| 83 |
 |
Director 6 AEM Install GUI mode |
5 |
This movie simply installs the Active Energy Manager plug-in to Director 6 using the graphical install method - this assumes you have X Windows and or VNC to allow a X Windows graphical application to be started from a AIX command line. For non-graphical install see the above movie. |
| 80 |
 |
Director 6 VMControl Performance |
15 |
VMControl System Pools can load balance across a pool of machines and thus requires monitoring Power Systems machines at the CEC or whole machine level and including Entitlement, Utilisation, Physical CPU use detailed level. This movie looks at the CPU and Memory stats available which can tell you what the whole machine is doing - even if the VMControl Trail licence expires! We also sneak in a few other things like discovering how the data is collected, renaming Virtual Servers and CEC, using Director to directly alter a LPAR Entitlement. |
| 84 |
 |
Systems Director 6.2 Saving My Time |
12 |
I now use 8 parts of Systems Director 6.2 to save me time in running my POWER5, POWER6 and POWER7 machines. If it save me time perhaps it will save you time too. Also covered is how you can save the planet, save money and look like a performance guru, when you deliver 9% extra GHz but don't tell the boss it was just 5 mouse button clicks! The eight parts are: 1) One Hour Install, 2) Update Manager - HMC, F/W & AIX, 3) Whole Machine Performance View, 4) LPAR direct to HMC, 5) Active Energy save cash & over-clock, 6) VMControl - Capture/Deploy, 7) WPAR & Versioned WPARs and 8) Automation Plans. |
| A |
 |
Director 6 AEM Discovery |
6 |
This Flash player demo by Rich Bassesmir & Lee Cheng covers discovery and access of a HMC and its connected machines so you can start monitoring the Energy used by a POWER based Servers. Also a quick look at monitoring energy trends trends. The style of this movie is very similar to the others directly link to this Wiki page, so I included it in the Director 6 movie list here. Full marks guys. |
| B |
 |
Director 6 AEM / POWER7 |
11 |
This Flash player demo by Rich Bassesmir & Joe Pu covers setting the dynamic power saving modes. Then monitoring the idle machine and then during a stress full benchmark - this showed the POWER7 CPUs safely over clocking the stated GHz rating as it was within the thermal limitations - 9% to 10% free CPU cycles by purchasing AEM. Check your POWER7 clock rate with the little documented command: pmcycles -M The style of this movie is very similar to the others directly link to this Wiki page, so I included it in the Director 6 movie list here. Full marks guys. |
| C |
 |
AEM Automated |
3 |
YouTube demo by Greg. Learn how to automate your server's energy savings capabilities by scheduling Active Energy Manager's policies. |
| D |
|
Director 6 Overview |
9 |
YouTube demo by Greg. Watch how IBM Systems Director 6.1 focuses on a better user experience to help you manage your data centre. |
| E |
|
VMControl Technical Summary |
6 |
YouTube demo by Greg. IBM Systems Director VMControl simplifies the management and deployment of your virtualized data centre. |
| F |
|
VMControl - Value Summary |
10 |
YouTube demo by Greg. IBM Systems Director VMControl simplifies the management of your virtualized data centre. This is a brief demonstration of its value. |
| G |
|
VMControl - 3 Editions |
1 |
YouTube demo by Greg. Learn how VMControl 2.2 provides value in any of the three editions. Express ...when you need basic VM monitoring and management for IBM PowerVM, IBM z/VM, VMware (tm), and Microsoft Hyper-V (tm), Standard ...when you need to rapidly deploy workloads, Enterprise ...when you need to pool servers for better automation and resilient workloads |
| H |
|
Getting Started - Install and Setup |
9 |
YouTube demo by Greg. See how installing and performing initial setup and discovery for IBM Systems Director 6.1.2 is easier than ever. Then, give it a try yourself.... |
| I |
|
Storage Integration |
8 |
YouTube demo by Greg. IBM Systems Director helps you manage your storage environment, but more importantly simplifies how you manage your entire virtual data centre by integrating server and storage management together. |
| J |
|
Network Integration |
9 |
YouTube demo by Greg. See how IBM Systems Director's Network Control helps integrate server, storage, and network management into one tool. |
Thirteen More Director 6 Movies
Back to POWER Basics
These movies are for people new to pSeries, System p or Power Systems running AIX and covers the basics of installing, setup and controlling of these machines using a Hardware management Console (HMC) to manage Logical Partitions (LPAR) and the Virtual I/O Server (VIOS). See the above movies for using the IVM alternative.
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 36 |
 |
POWER Introduction |
13 |
Small presentation about the concepts, Power3, 4, 5 and 6 12 year performance curve, POWER6 range, top to bottom same chip and PowerVM, Concepts, LPAR, DLPAR, SPLPAR and VIOS
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 37 |
 |
HMC Introduction |
9 |
Why a HMC? The HMC private and public networks plus a tour of the Browser based Graphical User Interface, menu system and key functions.
For more information go to the Hardware Management Console 7 Redbook |
| 38 |
 |
Create the first Logical Partition (LPAR) |
10 |
Creating your first LPAR on the HMC with physical resources and boot it up and accessing the remote console.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 39 |
 |
Installing AIX from CDROM |
8 |
Booting and installing AIX from a physical CDROM
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 40 |
 |
Installing AIX from NIM |
9 |
Booting and installing AIX from a NIM Server
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 41 |
 |
Dynamically changing LPARs |
9 |
Dynamic Logical Partitions for changing the LPAR and OS on the fly including CPU, Memory and PCI slots with adapters initially Dedicated CPUs but also shows the differences for Shared CPU LPARs.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 42 |
 |
Ethernet Options with Virtual Ethernet |
10 |
The three options for Ethernet are compared: Direct PCI Adapter, Virtual Ethernet via the VIO Server and the POWER6 only IVE/HEA. The Virtual Ethernet is covered in more detail.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 43 |
 |
Virtual Ethernet Setup |
10 |
Hands-on Demo of the 5 stages of setting up the Virtual Ethernet: 1) create/install VIOS, 2) create virtual Ethernet adapter, 3) create SEA, 4) add hostname & IP address to the VIOS and 5) creating a VIO client with a matching virtual Ethernet.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 44 |
 |
Disk Options with Virtual SCSI |
11 |
Presentation on SCSI, Fibre-Channel/SAN and Virtual Disks and the Virtual I/O Server options for virtual disks like LV based, file based and whole disk based virtual SCSI disks.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 45 |
 |
Virtual Disk Setup |
13 |
Setting up virtual SCSI adapters on the HMC and then setting up Storage pools, creating a LV and assigning the LV based virtual disk, file backed Storage Pools, creating a large file and using it as a virtual disk and finally using a whole disk as a virtual disk.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 48 |
 |
How many CPUs in a Power Chip? |
11 |
Power Misunderstandings No 1 - This movie explains the number of CPUs on a single Power chip and how we build larger machines. Also covered is the Chip Modules - DCM, QCM and MCM. Also covered how to find out the number of CPUs on a standalone machine, via the HMC or in a Logical Partition (LPAR). |
| 49 |
 |
Are Logical CPUs Real? What is SMT? |
11 |
Power Misunderstandings No 2 - This confuses most people, it is hard to understand and difficult to known if you are looking at Logical or Physical CPUs in command output and performance data. We even get ISV's claiming they should get paid for all 128 CPUs and we known that's impossible for a System p machine! This movie explains all. |
| 53 |
 |
What is a Virtual Processor? And
controlling Shared Processor LPARs? |
22 |
Power Misunderstandings No 3 - What are Shared CPUs and the CPU Pool? What is a Virtual Processor? How does the Minimum, Desired and Maximum effect the run time CPU use? What is the Entitlement and how to you set it? What is the difference between Dedicated, Donating and Shared Processor Logical Partitions? How do the limits: Entitlement, Cap, VP, shared CPU pool and Weight work together to control a LPAR? This movie explains the SPLAR. |
New Virtualisation Features
These movies cover new features in virtualisation for 2008 and onwards.
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 51 |
 |
VIOS 2.1 Principles |
20 |
Presentation covering the value of the Virtual I/O Server, looking after your VIOS and the history, adoption paths and direction of PowerVM Virtualisation
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 52 |
 |
VIOS 2.1 Features |
30 |
Presentation covering the new features in the Virtual I/O Server 2.1 released in Nov 2008, including a few that might have escaped your notice in the last 2 years. In details are N Port Id Virtualisation (NPIV), virtual DVD and virtual tapes, Heterogeneous Multipathing and improved VIOS CEC level monitoring of virtual disks and virtual networks.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerVM |
| 58 |
 |
Active Memory Sharing Regular Paging |
19 |
Active Memory Sharing requires you to understand regular UNIX/AIX virtual memory paging before you start. If you don't understand paging then you are not going to understand AMS. Cover are 1) why do virtual memory? and 2) how the OS paging in and pages out memory to the paging space disks.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on Active Memory Sharing |
| 59 |
 |
Active Memory Sharing Concepts |
16 |
Here the concepts of AMS are covered including very briefly the components, the various AMS modes of working to handle various cases which are 1) it all fits, 2) LPARs can co-operate over sharing memory and 3) when that is not enough and AMD has to force pages out.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on Active Memory Sharing |
| 60 |
 |
Active Memory Sharing Setup |
16 |
Enough of the theory, this movie covers how to setup the Shared Memory Pool, the backing paging space on the Virtual I/O Server and then setup a Logical Partition (LPAR) to use AMS. It is very simple to setup. We convert a LPAR to AMS, start the LPAR and show how to confirm its using shared memory.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on Active Memory Sharing |
| 61 |
 |
Active Memory Sharing Simple Monitoring |
10.5 |
In this movie we show "topas -C" and "vmstat -h 2" monitoring the simple AMS setup from the previous movie. We see at the whole machine level (with topas -C) the current LPARs use of memory. Both the LPARs using the shared memory pool and dedicated memory LPARs. Then AMS LPARs making room (loaning memory) for a newly starting Logical Partition that needs memory from the shared pool. Then a busy LPAR which is grabbing more memory pages due to high memory demand program takes more memory from the other LPARs. Finally, we watch at the LPAR level (with vmstat -h), it giving up memory for another high memory demand LPAR.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on Active Memory Sharing |
| 63 |
 |
HMC GUI for VIOS commands |
24 |
With the May 2009 Hardware Management Console and Virtual I/O Server versions: the HMC can directly setup virtual disks, VIOS networks, Shared Ethernet Adapter, create extra virtual network switches, move physical optical between logical partitions, create and manage the media library (filesystem of .iso images) and assign a virtual optical to logical partitions. In addition you can manage NPIV resources
For more information go to the HMC GUI for VIOS |
| 85 |
 |
Shared storage Pools phase 1 Hands-on |
22 |
This movie is superceded by movie 101 (below) which covers the 2nd version.
VIOS Shared Storage Pools phase 1 arrived in Dec 2010. In this phase 1, it provides Thin provisioning. Watch this movie on setting it up, allocating disk space and monitoring the space use. This is very easy to use ... once you know how.
For a list of the commands used and hints go to Shared Storage Pools |
| 86 |
 |
Shared storage Pools Introduction |
21 |
VIOS Shared Storage Pools phase 1 arrived in Dec 2010. It was previously internally called VIOS NextGen. This movie introduces of the pre-reqs, concepts, functions and features available. It allows SAN administration to be rapidly controlled by the VIOS, POWER, AIX Systems Administrators. Its actually very simple to setup and use.
For a list of useful links Shared Storage Pools Links |
| 101 |
 |
Shared Storage Pools phase 2 Getting Started |
10 |
Uploaded February 2012 VIOS Shared Storage Pools phase 2 arrived in December 2011. This movie is hands-on Getting started with preparation, cluster create, node add, disk add to the pool and allocating pool space to the virtual disk of a virtual machine. It allows the VIOS administrator to allocate disk space to virtual machines in lets than a second. Its actually very simple to setup and use.
For a list of useful links Shared Storage Pools phase 2 Links |
| 106 |
 |
Shared Storage Pools phase 2 Thin Provisioning & Alerts |
17 |
Uploaded February 2012 VIOS Shared Storage Pools phase 2 has Thin Provisioning as the default virtual disks so disk space gets allocated only when you write to it. This stops unused disk space being spread across all virtual machines (LPARs) but is consolidated in the pool and allows for higher efficiency (i.e. reduce costs). The downside is covered too - you have to monitor monitor the free space as running out will cause big problems. Old fashioned Thick provisioning is available too.
|
| 102 |
 |
Active Memory Deduplication in Theory |
16 |
Uploaded February 2012 Active Memory Deduplication is a new feature for the Power Systems C models and later, which adds a new feature to the Active Memory Sharing feature that has been available for 4 years. In the back ground the Hypervisor spots and removes duplicate copies of memory pages and then add the release pages back to the free list. This makes much better use of memory and loots like extra free memory. Its actually very simple to setup and use.
For a list of useful links Active Memory Deduplication commands |
| 103 |
 |
Active System optimiser |
15 |
Uploaded February 2012 Active System Optimizer - is a AIX 7 and POWER7 performance tuning tool that automatically tunes your logical partition to maximises POWER7 cache affinity and memory affinity. It is like having a level 4 performance tuning genius tuning your machine 24 hours a day. Its actually very simple to setup and use.
For a list of useful links Active System Optimizer commands |
| 107 |
 |
VIOS Performance Advisor |
6 |
Uploaded March 2012 The Virtual I/O Server Performance Advisor is very simple to run. A quick download to your workstation, upload the binary to the VIOS and run it during a peak in workload, FTP the output file to your workstation and click on the data file to generate a simple to understand report in a browser. High value advice based on watching the VIOS actually run - get yours here VIOS Performance Advisor wiki page - and "oh yes" - it is totally free to use. |
| 109 |
 |
Java Performance Advisor for AIX |
9 |
Uploaded March 2012 The Java Performance Advisor for AIX is very simple to run. A quick download to your workstation, upload the files to AIX and run it against your large Java processes, FTP the output file to your workstation and click on the data file to generate a simple to understand report in a browser. You can control how aggressive it will make recommendations based on your skill level and the importance of the workload it looks at your configuration and the resources uses by the Java processes which you point it at. Get yours here Java Performance Advisor for AIX wiki page - It is free to use. |
| 111 |
 |
SDMC to HMC Migration |
14 |
Uploaded May 2012 The withdrawn Systems Director Management Console - hardware appliance (SDMC) and the Hardware Management Console (HMC) are basically the same machine running different software so migrating from SDMC to HMC is straight forward providing you save some setup information before you boot the HMC install media. This movie steps through the information capture part. Once the HMC is installed and the network details are added back the HMC will discover the machines, LPAR and profiles details from the service processors. The following documents will help you: Redpaper: SDMC to HMC, Redpaper: PowerVM Getting Started Guide and the Redbook: HMC 7 Handbook |
PowerHA SystemMirror 7.1 for AIX
These movies cover PowerHA SystemMirror 7.1 for AIX (older versions where called HACMP for decades), which came out in 2010 and are from our Guru on this topic Alex Abderrazag (IBM UK).
| No |
Click to Run
the Movie |
Title |
Minutes |
Description |
| 87 |
 |
Part 1: PowerHA Intro |
3 |
PowerHA7.1 Introduction from Alex Abderrazag - Introduction to a typical HA environment used in the movies on a modern virtualised Power based machine.
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerHA |
| 88 |
|
Part 2:PowerHA SMIT |
11 |
PowerHA7.1 SMIT Configuration from Alex Abderrazag
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerHA |
| 89 |
|
Part 3: PowerHA clmgr |
8 |
PowerHA7.1 cluster manager from Alex Abderrazag
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerHA |
| 90 |
|
Part 4: PowerHA HA in Action |
8 |
PowerHA7.1 High Availability in ACTION from Alex Abderrazag
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerHA |
| 91 |
|
Part 5: PowerHA SAN Comms |
8 |
PowerHA7.1 SAN Communication from Alex Abderrazag
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerHA |
| 92 |
|
Part 6: PowerHA Apps |
8 |
PowerHA7.1Application Monitoring from Alex Abderrazag
For more information go to the IBM Redbook on PowerHA |
- - - That's All Folks! - - -
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