Troubleshooting
Problem
Using viosvrcmd in an attempt to run commands in the VIOS oem_setup_env shell fails with error HSCL2970 when issued from HMC running v8.8.5 and later.
Symptom
Example:
hscroot@<HMC_hostname>:~> command='printf "oem_setup_env\nls -l /etc/utmp"'
hscroot@<HMC_hostname>:~> viosvrcmd -m <Managed_Server_Name> -p <VIOS_Name> -c "$command"
HSCL2970 The IOServer command has failed because of the following reason: ioscli printf "oem_setup_env\nls -l /etc/utmp" contains illegal data: printf .
hscroot@<HMC_hostname>:~> viosvrcmd -m <Managed_Server_Name> -p <VIOS_Name> -c "$command"
HSCL2970 The IOServer command has failed because of the following reason: ioscli printf "oem_setup_env\nls -l /etc/utmp" contains illegal data: printf .
Attempting to run in the padmin shell also fails (as it would if logged-in to the VIOS as padmin directly):
hscroot@<HMC_hostname>:~> command='ls -l /etc/utmp'
hscroot@<HMC_hostname>:~> viosvrcmd -m <Managed_Server_Name> -p <VIOS_Name> -c "$command"
HSCL2970 The IOServer command has failed because of the following reason:
Not a valid command: ls -l /etc/utmp
hscroot@<HMC_hostname>:~> viosvrcmd -m <Managed_Server_Name> -p <VIOS_Name> -c "$command"
HSCL2970 The IOServer command has failed because of the following reason:
Not a valid command: ls -l /etc/utmp
rc=1
Cause
While it was possible to run commands effectively routed to the oem_setup_env shell in earlier versions, it was seen as a security exposure and limitations were imposed.
The --admin flag was introduced from HMC version 8.5.0 and later, which allows (some) commands to be run directly as root on the VIOS instead.
Environment
HMC V8R8.5.0.0 and later with PowerVM® partitions at any level.
Diagnosing The Problem
Check HMC version with "lshmc -V"
Resolving The Problem
Use a ViosAdminOp user profile on your HMC and amend the viosvrcmd command syntax.
Example:
:~> command=`printf "oem_setup_env\nls -l /etc/utmp"`
becomes:
:~> command="ls -l /etc/utmp"
... but the viosvrcmd command requires adding "--admin" to run root commands.
Example:
hscroot@<HMC_hostname>:~> viosvrcmd -m <Managed_Server_Name> -p <VIOS_Name> -c "$command"
becomes:
viosadminuser@<HMC_hostname>:~> viosvrcmd -m <Managed_Server_Name> -p <VIOS_Name> -c "$command" --admin
To create the VIOS Admin task role:
hscroot@<HMC_hostname>:~> mkaccfg -t taskrole -i "name=VIOS_Admin,parent=hmcsuperadmin,"resources=lpar:ViosAdminOp""
(NB: This command should all be on a single line).
To create the new HMC "viosadminuser" user with a password="vios-admin" set to expire in 3 days:
hscroot@<HMC_hostname>:~>mkhmcusr -u viosadminuser -a VIOS_Admin --passwd vios-admin -M 3
Log in as the new user:
$ ssh -e T viosadminuser@<HMC_hostname>
viosadminuser@<HMC_hostname>'s password:
Warning: your password will expire in 3 days
Then, create and run commands with "root" authority:
viosadminuser@<HMC_hostname>:~> command="ls -l /etc/utmp"
viosadminuser@<HMC_hostname>:~> viosvrcmd -m <Managed_Server_Name> -p <VIOS_Name> -c "$command" --admin
Example:
viosadminuser@<HMC_hostname>:~> command="ls -l /etc/utmp"
viosadminuser@<HMC_hostname>:~> viosvrcmd -m Server-8406-70Y-SN06BFF6A -p PS700_VIOS_Epic -c "$command" --admin
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 34992 May 11 16:25 /etc/utmp
viosadminuser@<HMC_hostname>:~> viosvrcmd -m Server-8406-70Y-SN06BFF6A -p PS700_VIOS_Epic -c "$command" --admin
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 34992 May 11 16:25 /etc/utmp
To run commands as padmin, remove the "--admin" option :
viosadminuser@<HMC_hostname>:~> command="ioslevel"
viosadminuser@<HMC_hostname>:~> viosvrcmd -m Server-8406-70Y-SN06BFF6A -p PS700_VIOS_Epic -c "$command"
4.1.1.10
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Document Location
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Document Information
Modified date:
03 November 2025
UID
ibm16209645