Using a separate AIX system as a NIM master to use NIM to install each partition

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You can use a separate system running AIX as a NIM master and server. The NIM environment allows you to manage installations for your other partitions.

Before you begin this procedure, you should perform the following tasks:

  • Use the HMC to create partitions and partition profiles for each NIM client partition that you want to install. Leave the partitions in the Ready state.
  • Verify each partition has a network adapter assigned.
  • Set the boot mode for each partition to SMS mode.

You should consider the following aspects of the installation when you use a separate AIX system as a NIM Master to use NIM to install each partition has the following advantages:

  • You need not dedicate an LPAR as the NIM master.
  • NIM environment offers the most flexibility and customization options for installation and management.
  • NIM environment allows for multiple installations at the same time.
  • The nim_master_setup and nim_clients_setup scripts provide a way to set up the NIM environment.
  • Requires an available server running AIX that can be used as the NIM master.
  1. Run the oslevel command on the Master_LPAR.
    Output similar to the following displays: 
    5200
    If the output from the oslevel command does not show the expected OS level, see Migrating AIX for information about migrating the AIX® operating system to the correct OS level.
  2. Verify your network connection by running the netstat command.
    You can run this command with the -C flag to show routing table information. You can also use the -D flag to show the number of packets received, transmitted, and dropped in the communications subsystem.
  3. Insert the AIX installation media.
  4. Run the nim_master_setup command.
    For additional information on options for running this command, see nim_master_setup.
  5. Run the following command to open the/export/nim/client.defs file with the vi editor: 
    # vi /export/nim/client.defs
  6. Edit the client.defs file according to your environment.
    For more information on this file, see the instructions and examples in the client.defs file. When you are finished editing the client.defs file, save it and exit the vi editor.
  7. Run the nim_clients_setup -c command.
    For additional information on options for running this command, see nim_clients_setup.
    Note: If you are adding new client machines that cannot be resolved on the name server, edit the /etc/hosts file to add the IP addresses and client host names.

After you have defined the client machines, you should activate and install the partitions.

After you activate and install the client partitions, you can perform any system management tasks.