Alternate installation device: Overview
You can perform installation and recovery procedures by using the primary installation device along with an alternate installation device that you define.
The alternate installation device can be a tape device or an optical device. Some systems, typically with faster devices attached, might see a performance improvement when using an alternate installation device. You can use the alternate installation device for any installation or recovery that requires replacing Licensed Internal Code. Some models might require that you set up an alternate installation device.
When you use an alternate installation device, the system might use the primary installation device to load a small portion of the Licensed Internal Code during an IPL-type D and then continues the installation by using the media in the alternate installation device. The media in the alternate installation device can be SAVSYS media or distribution media created by a central site.
- Starting with POWER6® models, you can do an IPL-type D from a tape device attached by a Fibre Channel interface only when it is attached to an adapter without an input/output processor (IOP). For other system models and configurations, a tape device attached by a Fibre Channel interface needs to be set up as an alternate installation device.
- If you use an alternate installation device, you need to ensure that you set up the device and that you enable the device. You also need to have the optical media or tape media that contains the Licensed Internal Code and your save media.