How To
Summary
With the increase in size of the HMC Recovery Media images, the process to create portable bootable media requires the use of partition types (ext3, ext4) that are not native to popular operating systems like Windows and Mac. As a result, the published instructions for portable bootable media creation on USB require a Linux host. This creates a problem for environments where a Linux host is not available.
Objective
To simplify the process of creating removable bootable media (USB), on popular operating systems like Windows, and Mac. Alongside the .iso image, we now have published a .img file that is pre-formatted. The pre-formatted file can be used to create media on Windows or Mac using either native, or readily available 3rd party tools.
Environment
Starting with HMC Version 10 Release 3 M1050 the .img is now available
Steps
NOTE: The .img file is packed in the .zip archive. Before proceeding with the steps, unzip the HMC_xxxx_USB.zip file, to reveal the .img file.
Mac OS
Steps to create removable bootable media (USB) on Mac using the .img file:
1. Run diskutil to identify the current devices on the list
diskutil list
2. Insert a formatted USB (use the Format Media task on the HMC) and wait 5 seconds
3. Run diskutil again to identify the name of the inserted device (ex. /dev/disk3)
4. Unmount the device
diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskx (where x is the number of the device identified in the previous
step)
5. As root, run the dd command to write to the USB device. Note the device name is prefixed by an
“r” (ex. /dev/rdisk3). This step can take several minutes.
sudo dd if=usbdrive.img of=/dev/rdiskx bs=1m (where x is the number of the device)
6. Enter the root password if prompted
7. Run sync
sync
8. Eject the device:
diskutil eject /dev/diskx (where x is the number of the device)
Windows
Steps to create removable bootable media (USB) on Windows
You can create a bootable USB device on a Windows system with various tools.
Red Hat IBM recommends using Fedora Media Writer, available for download at https://github.com/FedoraQt/MediaWriter/releases. Note that Fedora Media Writer is a community product and is not supported by Red Hat IBM. You can report any issues with the tool at https://github.com/FedoraQt/MediaWriter/issues.
1. Download and install Fedora Media Writer from https://github.com/FedoraQt/MediaWriter/releases.
2. Connect the USB flash drive to the system.
3. Open Fedora Media Writer.
4. From the main window, click Custom Image, change the file type filter to “All files” and select the previously downloaded .img file.
5. At the "Select Image Source" screen, check the "Select .iso file" radio button and click next.
6. Locate the .img file (you may have to switch the file filter in windows explorer from .iso to "all files".)
7. Click Write. The boot media creation process starts. Do not unplug the drive until the operation completes. The operation may take several minutes, depending on the size of the image, and the write speed of the USB drive.
7. When the operation completes, unmount the USB drive. The USB drive is now ready to be used as a boot device.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
06 August 2025
UID
ibm17092036