Recovering when disks cannot be located

Learn how to recover from disks not displaying when trying to boot or install a client logical partition.

Occasionally, the disk that is needed to install the client logical partition cannot be located. In this situation, if the client is already installed, start the client logical partition. Ensure that you have the latest levels of the software and firmware. Then, ensure that the Slot number of the virtual Small Computer Serial Interface (SCSI) server adapter matches the Remote partition virtual slot number of the virtual SCSI client adapter.

The HMC Classic interface is not supported in Hardware Management Console (HMC) Version 8.7.0, or later. The functions that were previously available in the HMC Classic interface are now available in the HMC Enhanced+ interface.

When the Hardware Management Console (HMC) is at version 8.7.0, or later, if the storage has not been attached using the HMC Enhanced+ interface, use the adapter view in the Virtual Storage of Manage Partition to verify the adapter mappings.

For more information about verifying adapter mappings when the HMC is at version 8.7.0, or later, see Managing virtual storage for a partition.

Ensure that you have the latest levels of the Hardware Management Console, firmware, and Virtual I/O Server. Follow these steps:
1. To check whether you have the latest level of the HMC, see the Installing and configuring the Hardware Management Console . For more information about Installing and configuring the Hardware Management Console , see Installing and configuring the Hardware Management Console.
2. Ensure that you have the latest firmware.
3. To check whether you have the latest level of the Virtual I/O Server, see Updating the Virtual I/O Server.
Ensure the server virtual SCSI adapter slot number is mapped correctly to the client logical partition remote slot number:
1. In the navigation area, expand Systems Management > Servers and click the server on which the Virtual I/O Server logical partition is located.
2. In the contents area, select the Virtual I/O Server logical partition.
3. Click Tasks and select Properties.
4. Click the Virtual Adapters tab.
5. Click Virtual SCSI.
6. If the values of the Remote Partition and Remote Adapter are Any Partition and Any Partition Slot, then complete the following steps:
  - Expand Virtual SCSI and click the slot number.
  - Select Only selected client partition can connect.
  - Enter the client logical partition's ID and adapter and click OK
  - Click Virtual SCSI.
7. Record values of the Remote Partition and Remote Adapter. These values represent the client logical partition and the slot number of the client's virtual SCSI adapter that can connect to the associated server adapter. For example, the values of Remote Partition, Remote Adapter, and Adapter are as follows: AIX_client, 2, 3. This means that virtual SCSI adapter 2 on the client logical partition AIX_client can connect to the Virtual I/O Server virtual SCSI adapter 3.
8. Repeat steps a through g for the client logical partition.
Ensure the server virtual SCSI adapter slot number is mapped correctly to the client logical partition remote slot number. Follow these steps:
1. Right-click the server profile, and select Properties.
2. Click the Virtual I/O Server tab.
3. If the Only selected remote partition and slot can connect radio button is not selected, select it.
4. Note the Remote partition and Remote partition virtual slot number values. This shows the client logical partition name and the client logical partition virtual slot number. This is the client logical partition and slot number that can connect to the slot given in the Slot number dialog box in the Virtual SCSI Adapter Properties window.
5. Repeat items a through e in this step for the client logical partition.
The Adapter value on the client logical partition must match the Remote Adapter on the Virtual I/O Server logical partition, and the Adapter value on the Virtual I/O Server logical partition must match the Remote Adapter on the client logical partition. If these numbers do not match, from the HMC, modify the profile properties to reflect the correct mapping.
From the Virtual I/O Server command line, type cfgdev.
Shut down and reactivate the client logical partition.
From the Virtual I/O Server command line, type lsmap -all. You see results similar to the following:
```
SVSA            Physloc                                      Client Partition ID
--------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------
vhost0          U9113.550.10BE8DD-V1-C3                      0x00000002

VTD                   vhdisk0
LUN                   0x8100000000000000
Backing device        hdisk5
Physloc               U787B.001.DNW025F-P1-C5-T1-W5005076300C10899-L536F000000000000
```
In this example, the client logical partition ID is 2 (0x00000002).
Note: If the client logical partition is not yet installed, the Client Partition ID is 0x00000000.
The slot number of the server SCSI adapter is displayed under Physloc column. The digits following the -C specify the slot number. In this case, the slot number is 3.

From the Virtual I/O Server command line, type lsdev -virtual. You see results similar to the following:

name            status     description

vhost0          Available  Virtual SCSI Server Adapter

vhdisk0         Available  Virtual Target Device - Disk

Last updated: Thu, October 15, 2020