Question & Answer
Question
How to update VIOS from NIM?
Answer
This document guides you through the steps of updating VIOS by using updateios from NIM. It provides instructions how to update VIOS within FP & SP, for example from 3.1.2.21 to 3.1.3.10, but these same steps cannot be used for migrating VIOS to different versions, for example, from 2.X.X.X to 3.X.X.X. In case you run into any problems during this operation open new case with IBM Support team for further investigation.
This topic is covered in the following parts:
- Defining the VIOS as management object
- Creating the resources containing the update media
- Updating the VIOS
First, make sure that the NIM master oslevel is at least equal to the VIOS oslevel or higher than it.
On NIM:
# oslevel -s
On VIOS:
$ oem_setup_env
# oslevel -s
# oslevel -s
On VIOS:
$ oem_setup_env
# oslevel -s
If NIM oslevel is lower than VIOS, then it needs to be updated first prior performing the updateios operation that uses NIM.
Defining the VIOS as management object
Before you define the VIOS in NIM as management object, you need to also define the HMC and CEC. In order to be able to do it, you need to install the dsm.core fileset on your NIM if it is not already installed. Then, follow the steps from the following technote starting from section 4.1.2 Environment Setup until section "e" - "Define VIOS":
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/vios-31-viosupgrade-process
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/vios-31-viosupgrade-process
Creating the resources containing the update media
After downloading the needed VIOS update media, you need to create lpp_source from it on your NIM.
Using command line:
# nim -o define -t lpp_source -a server=master -a source=/directory/containing/VIOS/filesets -a packages=all -a location=<where to create the lpp_source resource> <lpp_source name>
# nim -o define -t lpp_source -a server=master -a source=/directory/containing/VIOS/filesets -a packages=all -a location=<where to create the lpp_source resource> <lpp_source name>
Using smit:
#smit nim_mkres -> Select the lpp_source
On the following screen:
Resource Name >> name of the lpp_source
Server of Resource >> select master
Location of resource >> where to create the lpp_source resource
Source of install images >> /directory/containing/VIOS/filesets
Names of Option Packages >> manually type all
On the following screen:
Resource Name >> name of the lpp_source
Server of Resource >> select master
Location of resource >> where to create the lpp_source resource
Source of install images >> /directory/containing/VIOS/filesets
Names of Option Packages >> manually type all
Updating the VIOS
Using command line:
#nim -o updateios -a lpp_source=<lpp_source name> -a accept_licenses=yes -a preview=no <VIOS name>
#nim -o updateios -a lpp_source=<lpp_source name> -a accept_licenses=yes -a preview=no <VIOS name>
Using smit:
# smit nim_mgmt_obj -> Perform Operations on a Management Object -> select the VIOS -> select updateios
On the following screen:
Management Object Name testvios
updateios Operation install
LPP_SOURCE Name [] >> Esc+4 or F4 and select the previously created lpp_source
PREVIEW only? (install operation will NOT occur) yes >> change to no
Accept All New license Agreements? [no] >> change to yes
# smit nim_mgmt_obj -> Perform Operations on a Management Object -> select the VIOS -> select updateios
On the following screen:
Management Object Name testvios
updateios Operation install
LPP_SOURCE Name [] >> Esc+4 or F4 and select the previously created lpp_source
PREVIEW only? (install operation will NOT occur) yes >> change to no
Accept All New license Agreements? [no] >> change to yes
If you get a connection failed message, you need to run the remote_management command on the vio server to establish a NIM connection between the NIM master and VIOS client.
$ remote_management -interface <en#> <NIM Master name>
$ remote_management -interface <en#> <NIM Master name>
If you run into any problems, open new case with IBM Support team for further investigation.
[{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB08","label":"Cognitive Systems"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU058","label":"IBM Infrastructure w\/TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SWG10","label":"AIX"},"ARM Category":[{"code":"a8m0z000000cvz2AAA","label":"Install-\u003ENIM"}],"ARM Case Number":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF002","label":"AIX"}],"Version":"All Versions"}]
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Document Information
Modified date:
09 December 2021
UID
ibm16524732