How to Assign a VIOS Hosted Virtual Optical Device Using the New HMC V8 GUI

Resolving The Problem

HMC V8R8.2 offers a new "enhanced" GUI method to assign virtual optical to client partitions. Unlike the older "classic" GUI, users do not work directly with the virtual adapters (in the VIOSes or the client) but rather just modify the client and select the desired media they wish to assign. The new task automatically handles creation of the matching VIOS server and client partition vscsi adapters as well as creation of the VIOS virtual optical device as needed.

Notes:

1.	To persist dynamic changes in the current profile, you should either ensure the partition properties has Save configuration changes to profile set to Enabled ( General Properties, check Advanced button) prior to the DLPAR or use the Profiles > Save Current Configuration task after the DLPAR.
2.	VIOS partitions do not have a Manage task. This is because the VIOS SCSI adapters are handled (added/deleted/modified) automatically when the client configuration is modified.
3.	In the "Enhanced" view, users that wish to see the "classic" view of the partition properties can click the partition name's hyperlink (in place of the missing Properties task).

To assign a VIOS hosted virtual optical device to a client partition using the new "enhanced" V8 HMC graphical interface, you should do the following:

1. Configure the VIOS Media Repository.

The virtual optical library must be configured in VIOS and any virtual media images imported prior to assignment to a client partition. In HMC V8R8.2.0.0, the configuration still uses the "classic" interface (even with the "Tech preview" ). To verify or configure a VIOS Media Repository, do the following:

a. (Enhanced) Select the server, then click Manage PowerVM.
(Tech preview) Select the server, then click View System Properties > Virtual Storage.

b. Right click the target VIOS to configure the Media Repository on and select Manage Virtual Storage:



c. Configure the Media Repository and import images.

As of V8R2, this still launches the "classic" Manage Virtual Storage panel. Configuration is the same as in V7 HMC. See IBM support document N1013168, Creating a Virtual Optical Drive in a HMC-Managed VIOS Partition. This panel can still be used to assign/reassign the media to a partition; however, it can be used only if the VSCSI adapters already exist.

2. Assign the media (create virtual adapters).

a. Select the partition, and click Manage.
b. Click Virtual Storage, then click the Virtual Optical Device tab:



c. Create virtual optical device (if needed).

If there is no existing virtual optical device, click Add Virtual Optical Device. Fill in the device name and select the VIOS that contains the media repository. Click OK:



This step will create matching VSCSI adapters in VIOS and the client partition, as well as creating the client device.

d. Unload existing media file (if loaded).

If there is an existing media file loaded, unload the existing file; right click the optical device and select Unload:


e. Load the desired media file.

Right click the optical device and select Load:



Select the desired media file and click OK:



3. View/verify current media file.

The HMC provides two views, storage and adapter. Buttons in the upper right allow the user to change the view.

The default Storage View shows the VIOS device, the media file currently loaded, and the VIOS partition name:



The Adapter View shows the IBM i virtual controller (DC01), the client VSCSI adapter number (2), the VIOS server vhost (vhost0) and VSCSI adapter number (4), as well as the media file currently loaded: