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IBM PowerVM (VIOS) HowTo: Verifying the integrity of an ESS downloaded VIOS image/file without a checksum or hash file

How To


Summary

This document provides step-by-step instructions for verifying the integrity of an IBM PowerVM (VIOS) image/file when a checksum or hash file is not provided.

Environment

VIOS

Steps

There are three main ways to verify the integrity of an ESS VIOS downloaded image;
  1. Download the image by using Download Director on ESS. If no errors are generated, then the VIOS image is correct.
  • For ISO images, you can use the following procedure;
Check 1.
Confirm the download size with the size reported on the download site.
If the size does not match, you know its truncated and need to try again.
Check 2.
Mount the ISO.
If the ISO does not mount, the ISO structure is corrupted and you need to try again.
Check 3.
Run script to verify each file:
From ISO-mounted directory, run the following commands (save them in a shell script)
cd ISO_mount_point/installp/ppc
for bff in *bff; do
if ! restore -Tvqf “${bff}” >/dev/null 2>&1; then
echo “ERROR: unable to extract contents from the file: ${bff}” >&2
break;
fi
done
If you get an “ERROR: ...” message for a bff file, manually run the command:
restore -Tvqf BFF_FILE
to understand the error.
But in general, you can extract the contents of each bff file without errors.
  • For other images that are not ISO, such as .gz or .zip;
Check 1.
Confirm the download size with the size reported on the download site.
If the size does not match, you know its truncated and need to try again.
Check 2. 
List the table of contents of the file.
If an error occurs while using the correct syntax for the type of file, then the file
may be truncated and try again.
Check 3. 
Extract the contents of the files in a temporary directory
      Then, run the following commands:
cd installp/ppc
for bff in *bff; do
if ! restore -Tvqf “${bff}” >/dev/null 2>&1; then
echo “ERROR: unable to extract contents from the file: ${bff}” >&2
break;
fi
done
If you get an “ERROR: ...” message for a bff file, manually run the command:
restore -Tvqf BFF_FILE
to understand the error.
But in general, you can extract the contents of each bff file without errors.
  • You can also open a case with IBM Software Support where the downloaded image would be compared with a downloaded image tested by IBM.

Additional Information

SUPPORT

If you require more assistance, use the following step-by-step instructions to contact IBM to open a case for software with an active and valid support contract.  

1. Document (or collect screen captures of) all symptoms, errors, and messages related to your issue.

2. Capture any logs or data relevant to the situation.

3. Contact IBM to open a case:

   -For electronic support, see the IBM Support Community:
     https://www.ibm.com/mysupport
   -If you require telephone support, see the web page:
      https://www.ibm.com/planetwide/

4. Provide a clear, concise description of the issue.

 - For more information, see: Working with IBM AIX Support: Describing the problem.

5. If the system is accessible, collect a system snap, and upload all of the details and data for your case.

 - For more information, see: Working with IBM AIX Support: Collecting snap data
Click here to submit feedback for this document.
 
Author: Ahmed Deif

Document Location

Worldwide

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Document Information

Modified date:
14 April 2022

UID

ibm16376482

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