IBM - Virtual I/O Server Readme and what's new

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IBM PowerVM Virtual I/O Server

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New function and enhancements
Cumulative fix history for Version 2.x

Known issues and limitations
Other Readme & installation information

Notices

NIM installation notes

Using NIM to back up and install the VIOS is supported as follows.

Always create the SPOT resource directly from the VIOS mksysb image. Do NOT update the SPOT from an LPP_SOURCE.
Do NOT use NIM to apply VIOS updates. Only the updateios command should be used to update the VIOS.
To use NIM, ensure that the NIM Master is at the appropriate level to support the VIOS image. Refer to the following table.

VIOS level is	NIM Master level must be equal to or higher than
Fix Pack 24 (VIOS 2.2.0.10-FP-24)	AIX 6100-06-01-1043
Service Pack 01 for Fix Pack 24 (VIOS 2.2.0.11-FP24-SP01)	AIX 6100-06-03-1048

Firmware and OS notes

To take full advantage of all the function available in the VIOS on a POWER6 system, it is necessary to be at system firmware level eFW340 or later. If a system firmware update is necessary, it is recommended that the firmware be updated before you upgrade the VIOS to V2.1.0. In addition, if you have an HMC, it is necessary to be at HMC Version 7.3.4.0 (HMC V7R340).
Please ensure that third party software is verified to run on AIX 6.1 TL 02 (6100-02) before you migrate to VIOS 2.1. For AIX migration, follow the procedures for third party software as defined by the vendor.

Minimum software levels required for N_Port ID Virtualization

N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) was made available with VIOS Fix Pack 20.1. NPIV required the following minimum software levels.

Product	Minimum required level
8 Gigabit Dual Port Fibre Channel adapter, feature code 5735	110305
System firmware	340_039
HMC	V7 R3.4.0
VIOS	2.1.0.10-FP20.1
AIX 6.1	6100-02-02-0849
AIX 5.3	5300-09-02-0849

New function and enhancements in Fix Pack24 (VIOS 2.2.0.10-FP24)

VIOS Fix Pack 24 provides the following changes, new function and enhancements.

Role Based Access Control (RBAC)

RBAC brings an added level of security and flexibility to the administration of VIOS. With RBAC, you can create a set of authorizations the user management commands. These authorizations can be assigned to a role "UserManagement", and then this role can be given to any other user. A normal user with the role "UserManagement" can manage the users on the system but will have no further access. Whenever the system administrator no longer wants to give user management functionalities to "tom", then he can simply remove the role for user "tom". With RBAC, VIOS will have: the ability to split management functions which presently can be done only by the "padmin" user, provide better security by providing only the necessary access to users, and easy management and auditing of system functions.

USB tape

Added support for USB 320 DAT tape drive (Feature Code 5673) and the use of that as a virtual tape device for clients of the VIOS.

USB Blu ray

USB Blu ray optical devices are now supported. See AIX release notes for further information. The VIOS does not support mapping these devices as virtual optical devices to clients. However, you can import the disk into the virtual optical media library, and then map the created file to the client as a virtual DVD drive.

Other enhancements

Updates to the IBM Tivoli Monitoring: VIOS Premium Agent and CEC Base Agent version 6.2.2.1.

For more information, refer to the Advanced Power Virtualization RFA 45751 or IBM United States Software Announcement 207-269 at this location: IBM System p Virtualization - The most complete virtualization offering for UNIX and Linux.

Cumulative fix history for VIOS Version 2.x

Fixes in VIOS Update Release 2.2.1.3 (Fix Pack 25 SP1) include:

Issues with Cluster Aware AIX software
Issues with lscluster command
Potential TCE leak problem
Issues with storage framework
Issues with Cluster services showing disks as down after path recovery
Issues with NPIV client adapter reconnect after VIOS dump
Issues with VSCSI client driver
Issues with LU create and map functions
Issues with failed node restore
Issues with restoration of mappings using viosbr command
Concurrency issues related to database
Issue with mkvdev validation for VTD names
Issue with padmin user unable to read xntpd log files
Issues with viosbr command
Issues with viosecure
Authorizations for oem_setup_env
Scalability and link issues with SEA driver
Issues with SEA thread queue overflow
Issues with updateios command
Potential issue when removing SEA

Fixes in VIOS Update Release 2.2.1.1 (Fix Pack 25) include:

Issues with DMA errors with remote device
Issues with I/O entitlement
Issues with ethernet device driver
Issues with installation using USB DVD
Issues with DASD Expanders and Drawers
Issue with releasing of stale reserve when running with no_reserve
Initialization issues in cfgscsidisk method
Issues with MPIO FC driver
Issues with disk attributes reverting to defaults after reboot
Issues with disk operation with PR_Shared set on SAN
Issue with iocinfo ioctl causing I/O throughput issues to degraded disk
Issues with system crash during installation from USB optical drive
Issues with interrupts not reaching the trunk adapter
Issues with VASI snap support
Issues with vfcmap failing
Issues with VFC host driver
Potential issues with VIOS under heavy NPIV load
Issues with VHOST driver directing SCSI inquiry to bad path
Issues with with closing connection during write to DAT320 USB drive
Issues with shutdown/reboot after fixpack install
Issues with the cfglnagg command
Issues with cfgsvc failing to create tunnel
Issues with updateios command not installing new filesets or ifixes
Issues with vfcmap command failing
Iseveral issues with viosbr command
Issues with viosecure command with -view option
Issues with virtual ethernet device for LPM
Issues with chgsea command
Iseveral issues with SEA driver including creation and deletion of SEA device
A problem were live partition mobility operations may fail with viosecure

Fixes in Fix Pack 24 (VIOS V2.2.0.10 FP24) include:

Added RBAC support
Added dynamic VLAN ID add support
Added option to exclude media library from backupios
Added perfagent.server fileset
Added support for Active/Passive PCM Controller HCHECK Support
Added support for DS3500 to SAS
Added support for USB tape
Fixed multiple problems with NPIV
Fixed possible problems with I/O errors on SCSI busy status
Fixed problem in AMS
Fixed problem in etherchannel
Fixed problem in npiv_unmap commands
Fixed problem in SCSI disk_del_path
Fixed problem in SDD disk reading
Fixed problem in SEA when uses fragmented large packet
Fixed problem when VDISK is unmapped
Fixed problem with /refreshVlan
Fixed problem with backupios
Fixed problem with backupios not giving enough details
Fixed problem with DS4K and invalid sense data
Fixed problem with HMC and an AMS partition
Fixed problem with lsnports command
Fixed problem with lspath -fmt
Fixed problem with lspv -free -size command
Fixed problem with lstcpip command
Fixed problem with lsuser
Fixed problem with mkuser
Fixed problem with NPIV and FC EEH error
Fixed problem with NPIV and IBM I client (lost connection)
Fixed problem with NPIV on the send_login
Fixed problem with rmdev
Fixed problem with rmtcpip
Fixed problem with system dump
Fixed problem with the lsmap command
Fixed problem with Virtual FC Host Adapter
Fixed problem with wait time in getting an odm_lock
Fixed problems with entstat
Fixed problems with ldc command
Fixed problems with Live partition mobility
Fixed problems with viosbr command
Made changes to the snap command
Updated ITM agents
Updated message catalogs
Updated VIOS man pages

Fixes in Fix Pack 23 (VIOS V2.1.3.10 FP23) include:

Updated VIOS man pages
Fixed problem IN HEA adapter ,ESPECIALLY WITH SEA CONFIGURED ON HEA
Fixed problem with current level microcode menu
Fixed problem during dump to MPIO Disk
Fixed problem with MPIO Framework when updating Path Metrics
Fixed problem with ETHERCHANNEL - DROPS PACKETS OR CRASHES
Fixed problem with DS4K SAN boot disks - failed to switch to SDDPCM configuration
Enabled persistent recording on VIOS
Fixed problem with entstat on etherchannel produces extra "Elapsed Time" output
Fixed problem with entstat.vioent
Fixed problem with ETHERCHANNEL - DOES NOT PROPERLY SET PROMISCUOUS MODE
Fixed problem in VIOS vfc adapter
Fixed problem with IBM i NPIV client may lose connection with VIOS
Fixed problem with LARGE RECEIVE PROBLEM WITH ETHERCHANNEL
Fixed problem with Live Partition Mobility operations
Fixed problem with mcode download error on P5 systems
Updated Network Memory Affinity support
Fixed a problem in backupios
Fixed multiple problems in NIPV
Fixed a problem when not able to delete SEA
Fixed multiple problems in SEA FAILOVER/FAILBACK

Fixes in Fix Pack 22.1 (VIOS V2.1.2.10 FP-22.1) include:

Fixed problem with Electronic Service Agent in IVM
Fixed problem in bus device driver for NPIV
Fixed problem in device driver pertaining to reading SSD disks (MPIO fixes)
Fixed problem in xmtopas (install problem)
Fixed packaging problem with the Media Repository
Fixed problem with backupios ? fails to give adequate details on stdout errors

Fixes in Fix Pack 22 (VIOS V2.1.2.10 FP-22) include:

Added enhancement of Virtual Client support for SSD
Added VIOS support for VPD page 0xB1
Fixed problem with netstat -v shows negative values for transmit errors
Fixed problem with TIME STAMP IN SULOG DISPLAYED IN GMT WHILE TZ IS SET TO JST-9
Added support for flashdrive as source in ucode downloads
Added enhancement for VIOS VFC changes for dynamic remapping
Added support for Backup & restore virtual entities & their configurations on VIOS
Fixed problem with NPIV adapter resource attributes not displayed in diags
Fixed Potential security issue.
Fixed potential problem with TMISCSISW_ERR4 error entry in errpt
Added enhancement to Strip merge to support IBM i
Fixed problem with No error message printed when vfcmap fails
Fixed problem with SEA attribute thread can be set to invalid parameter
Fixed problem with hung during migration with a SEA configured
Fixed problem with Trace buffer allocation failure causes disk mkdev failure
Fixed potential problem with Selective security rules couldn't be applied on VIOS.
Fixed problem with VSCSI PATH DOES NOT RECOVER ON CLIENT AFTER REBOOTING VIOS
Fixes problem when unconfiguring path to open MPIO Disk.
Changed how cancels are done in npiv_disconnect
Fixed enhancement with VIOSBR: Add frequency options to viosbr
Fixed problems with NPIV LPMobility
Fixed problem with MIRRORIOS FAILS WITH IO SERVER IS ALREADY MIRRORED
Fixed problem with I/O ERRORS OR POSSIBLE PROBLEM ON VIOC AFTER DISK ERRORS ON SERVER
Add support for Return udid in VPD Inquiry page 0x80 for Linux
Fixed problem with LPAR Migration of NPIV Disk may cause reserve conflicts
Fixed problem with MPIO Path Health Check time out may cause slower disk I/O
Fixed problem in VIOS vfc adapter
Fixed problem with platform_dump processing failure in IVM systems
Fixed problem with CLI CHLV COMMAND SHOULD ENABLE CHANGING BBR VALUE
Fixed problem with SEA FAILOVER/FAILBACK CAUSES PACKETS LOOP
Fixe problem with Not able to delete SEA
Fixed problem with VSCSI adapter on IBM I partition was reset for no reason
Fixed problem with sysplan creation fails with PV backing device.
Fixed problem with Displaying proper message when optical file is zero
Fixed problem with CLI CHVG COMMAND NEEDS -G OPTION TO EXAMINE GROWTH OF LUNS IN VG
Fixed problem with special characters should not be allowed for "file" option.
Fixed problem with 'lsmap' outputs non-existant location code for File backed VTD.
Fixed problem with DISK DRIVER FAILS A VIRTUAL DEVICE INSTEAD OF THE PATH WITH MISM
Fixed problem with potential NPIV client driver
Fixed Director agent filesets in VIOS mksysb
Fixed problem with mktcpip on vios -- returned usage error with correct syntax
Fixed problem with vpath device are not being listed by viosbr command.
Fixed problem with LUN reset fails with VIOS attached tape drives
Fixed problem with Adding type sea to lsdev command to list only SEA devices
Fixed problem with lsmap -ams message update
Fixed problem with SEA QoS priority handling reversed
Fixed problems with LDC command
Fixed problem with Improve handling of invalid autosense data from Disk
Fixed problem with migration failed to clean up target state after halt
Fixed problem with IBM I NPIV is dropping console/5250 sessions..
Fixed problem with NPIV Partition is having very slow response time
Fixed problem with chsp -default doesn't work correctly
Fixed problem LSDEV CLI TRUNCATES DATA WHEN DEVICE NAME IS LARGE
Fixed problem with Not able to remove virtual disk created
Fixed problem with Etherchannel made of Virtual Ethernet Drops Coalesced Packets
Fixed problem with VHOST ADAPTER WON'T LET CLIENT RECONNECT
Fixed problem - POSSIBLE IO HANG IN VIO CLIENT WHEN SVC DISK GOES ON

Fixes in Fix Pack 21 (VIOS V2.1.1.10 FP-21) include:

Added support for Active Memory Sharing and redundant PSP
Added support for flash SDD device info
Added Support for Electronic Service Agent
Enhanced SMIT
Improved HMC and VIOS management
Enhanced the mkdev command with "max-transfer-size"
Enhanced ITM support
Added support for Act/Act dual adapter, SSD, Paddle card and polling mode support
Added Log Sense and Log select IOCTL Support
Fixed a problem with MPIO SAS JBOD Failing/Re-enabling Paths without Failing I/O
Fixed a problem with the USB device driver
Fixed a problem with the POF checker not started for SANboot root disk
Fixed a potential problem with Extra LUN Resets from ACA active on inband commands
Fixed a problem with SC_DISK_ERR2S WHEN WRITING TO FILE-BACKED VIRTUAL OPTICAL
Fixed Errors on bufx component when changing error disposition
Fixed a problem with Possible disk access loss after NPIV client LPM migration
Enhanced Queue Depth > 1 for XIV in RR (Round Robin)
Enhanced RAS infrastructure dump serialized I/O
Fixed a problem with Long iodone delay possible during controller failover
Fixed a problem with Storage key exception in pofTimer
Fixed a problem with cfgscsidisk method not handling WWN change properly
Fixed a problem with Handle SCSI Task Aborted sense
Fixed task management changes for redundant PSP feature
Fixed a problem with Hard length error on mode select 10
Fixed a problem with support for new error return from VIOS
Fixed a problem if target SCSI id changes client may not recover path
Fixed a problem where vhost1 disappears when virtual adapter is reset
Fixed a problem Need higher granularity error checking for passthru mode
Fixed a problem with Take less drastic action when backing optical device is removed
Fixed a problem with RESERVE ON VIRT. FBO REMAINS AFTER MAINT. BOOT ON BOOTED DEVICE
Fixed a problem with mt -f /dev/st0 setblk failed on virtual tape
Fixed a problem with Handling unexpected values of status_validity
Fixed a problem with mt -f /dev/st0 status shows a wrong block size
Fixed a problem with VIOS Client logout uses incorrect WWPN during logout
Fixed a problem with SSD drive power up time greater than 30 sec
Fixed a problem with SATA DVD drives requires power cycle for mcode download to work
Fixed a problem with the Storage Key protection for the demuxer, if_en and netinet
Enhanced large receive to be compatible with VLAN networks
Adding support for a VLAN pseudo-device over the SEA
Fixed a problem with Configuring shared adapter
Updated the man pages
Fixed a problem with SATA Optical Drives listed under Add CD-ROM Drive
Fixed a problem with the SSD drive power up time greater than 30 sec
Changed mkvdev to validate interface names
Fixed a problem with Command rmvopt fails to remove a virtual optical media file
Fixed a problem with the IVM CIM providers do not function properly
Fixed a problem with the mount command not working
Automated IOSCLI mkvdev -sea -migrate option
Fixed a problem when chlang fails, it doesn't display an error message
Enhanced the backing device name for mkbdsp command allows "?"
Fixed a problem with few vios commands send error msgs to stdout instead of stderr.
Fixed a problem with vfcmap doesn't diplay correct usage.
Fixed a problem with vfcmap says Invalid arguments but looks like NPIV not supported
Fixed a problem with IVM interface not allowing user to create VFC adapters
Fixed problems with lsmap has several inconsistencies
Fixed a command with deactivatevg command is not showing proper error msg
Fixed a problem with lsmap -all -npiv info missing after CUMULATIVE patch
Fixed a problem with chsp cmd is adding AMS device to VG
Fixed a problem with MKSYSPLAN FAILURE WITH HIGH NUMBER OF VIRTUAL DISKS IN CONFIG
Fixed a problem with Handling the async events during NPIV login
Fixed a problem with Client vfc driver may perform unnecessary error recovery
Fixed a problem with if target SCSI id changes client may not recover path
Fixed a problem with Canceling active commands not working properly for NPIV
Fixed a problem with Client enters error state NPIV login failures
Fixed a problem Undefined error on FC adapter after migration
Fixed a problem with Server / Client Adapter Fail to re-establish connection

Fixes in Fix Pack 20.1 (VIOS V2.1.0.10 FP-20.1) include:

Added full support for NPIV functionality
Fixed problems with Virtual SCSI tape
Fixed problem with disk residual length for the standard inquiry is wrong
Fixed problem with vhost1 disappears when virtual adapter is reset
Fixed problem with command rmvopt fails to remove a virtual optical media file
Fixed problem in the IVM CIM providers
Updates to the VIOS license text files
Updates to the NLS translated message files
Updates to handle Fix Pack and Service Pack VRMF designations
Updates to the ITM agent shipped with VIOS
Fixed problem with VIOS client hung after losing contact with SAN
Fixed problem with POF checker not started for SANboot root disk
Fixed problem with disk MAX_TRANSFER SIZE INCONSISTENCY
Fixed problem with disk POF checker not started for SANboot root disk
Fixed problem with VIOS Client on LED 2701 on shutdown

Fixes in Version 2.1.0

Added support for VIOS VIRTUAL TAPE
Added TCP/IP RTEC (RAS) adoption
Added Ethernet demuxer performance enhancement
Added tape eject flag required for backup and restore commands
Added Storage Key protection (RAS) for the demuxer, if_en and netinet
Fixed problem of Communication lost after changing adapters using etherchannel DAM
Fixed problem of etherchannel SEA may not failover when cables pulled
Updated Errors in message catalogs
Fixed a problem when mirrorios reports unknown command response
Fixed problem in the mksp and mkbdsp command
Enhanced an attribute support for optimiznet cli command
Fixed problem with command mkvopt with -size option
Fixed problem with lspath command appending extra space in output
Fixed problem with UPDATEIOS FAILS IF ANY BACKUP DEVICE CONTAINS THE DIRECTORY NAME
Fixed problem when lspath prints wrong output for some cases
Fixed problem with VIOS command chlang fails
Fixed problem when change raw device to normal device in mkvopt command
Fixed problem with lssp command - does not list file backed logical volumes.
Fixed problem with CHTCPIP COMMAND FAILS WHEN INTERFACE CONTAINS MORE THAN 1 DIGIT
Fixed problem when ldc does not show SCSI disks on specific drawer
Fixed problem with INCORRECT OUTPUT OF LSMAP command -FMT CAUSES HMC GUI to fail
Fixed problem when VIOS couldn't assign virtual disk to partitions in some scenarios
Fixed problem with the chvopt command
Fixed problem with mkbdsp command behavior and documentation inconsistent
Fixed problem with command - needs to allow repeated flags for lpar_netboot
Fixed problem with updateios -reject command failing in specific scenario
Updated man pages
Fixed problem with oslevel command displays the incorrect level
Fixed problem where Error message is not displayed in lsnports command
Fixed problem where rmbdsp -f command does not work
Fixed problem where Unable to remove vhost1 in a scenario
Improved lsmap command behavior for inaccessible vhost
Fixed problem with unable to use a tape device with blocksize greater than 512 bytes.
Fixed problem with reducevg command fails to delete a volume group
Fixed problem where Unable to download microcode to slimline DVD drive
Fixed problem when re-distribute LUNs on DS3K storage
Fixed problem with LiveDump and KDB subcommand for sctape & idecdrom driver
Fixed problems with nim install
Fixed problem with disk reservation changes for partition mobility
Multiple MPIO/storage related fixes
Fixed problem with DISK PATH MAY NOT CONFIGURE AFTER LUN_ID CHANGE
Multiple fixes for MPIO PCM for DS3/4/5K
Fixed problem with SVC node failures can cause IO hang
Fixed problem with too many ACA active returned in cluster environment
Fixed problem in SHARED ETHERNET ADAPTER (SEA)
Fixed problem by enforcing maximum size on SEA accounting table
Fixed problem where Mobility fails between VIOS levels due to version mismatch
Fixed problem when Communication lost after changing adapters using etherchannel DAM
Fixed problem with ETHERCHANNEL STATISTICS DO NOT WRAP AROUND FOR SEA
Added more descriptive SEA configuration error messages
Added MPIO Support for I-DEB
Fixed problem by reduced lock contention in SCSI3 driver
Fixed problem where MPIO failover with VIOS takes an unusually long time
Fixed problem where VIOS & client, removing VTD, while it's being used causes problem
Fixed problem where The SERVER_INFO_ADAPTER error log not complete
Fixed problem with REPORT_LUNS fails causing missing devices, client may not boot
Fixed problem when A LOGICAL VOLUME UNDER HEAVY I/O WITH LARGE NUMBER OF CPUS problem
Fixed problem when NFS client remove pdts/bufs options

Known issues and limitations

Linux client: If you are using the Linux client, refer to the Linux Client Information before proceeding.
NPIV with RHEL 5.4. RHEL 5.4 adds support for Virtual Fibre Channel Devices on Power utilizing N-Port ID Virtualization technology. Support is provided by the ibmvfc driver. The ibmvfc driver is part of the RHEL 5.4 distribution, but it is not available in the installer. In order to install to an NPIV LUN, you need a driver disk. You can find instructions for obtaining and using this driver disk in the RHEL 5.4 - Virtual Fibre Channel Install article on IBM developerworks wiki for Linux on POWER architecture. RHEL 5.5 includes full support for Virtual Fibre Channel Devices on Power in the installer, so the driver disk is no longer required.

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