Troubleshooting
Problem
VIOS upgrade using padmin viosupgrade command from 3.1.4 to 4.1.0 failed, such as
3.1.4.60 to 4.1.0.10
3.1.4.50 to 4.1.0.00
Symptom
$ viosupgrade
"Please wait for completion..
Upgrading from ioslevel '3.1.4.50' to '4.1.0.00'.
Upgrading from ioslevel '3.1.4.50' to '4.1.0.00'.
Verifying whether the MPIO software(s) is installed on the VIOS.
Verification of the MPIO software(s) is successful.
Initiating VIOS configuration backup..
VIOS configuration backup successful.
Migration upgrade request initiated.
Initiating installation on alternate disk(s)..
Installation on alternate disk(s) failed. <=====
Verification of the MPIO software(s) is successful.
Initiating VIOS configuration backup..
VIOS configuration backup successful.
Migration upgrade request initiated.
Initiating installation on alternate disk(s)..
Installation on alternate disk(s) failed. <=====
$ viosupgrade -l -q
Welcome to viosupgrade tool.
Getting status of node(s):
Welcome to viosupgrade tool.
Getting status of node(s):
viosupgrade FAILED
Please see /home/ios/logs/viosupg_status.log for viosupgrade status details
Please see /var/adm/ras/ioslogs/viosupg_global.log for viosupgrade failure details.
Cause
Known issue at 3.1.4.50 and 3.1.4.60 fixed with
Environment
PowerVM VIOS 3.1.4
Diagnosing The Problem
Review alt_disk_inst.log for errors similar to the one below:
$ oem_setup_env
# cat /var/adm/ras/alt_disk_inst.log
...snip...
Checking disk sizes.
Creating cloned rootvg volume group and associated logical volumes.
0505-102 alt_disk_install: mkvg has returned an error.
/usr/sbin/mkvg: Not a recognized flag: a
Usage: /usr/sbin/mkvg [-B] [-t factor] [-S [-v logicalvolumes] [-P partitions]]
[-C] [-G] [-f] [-i] [-I] [-c] [-X {none/SSD}] [-L ltgsize] [-n] [-s size]
[-V majornumber] [-y VGname] [-M {y/s}] [-p mirrorpool] [-O {y/n}]
[-N {n/o}] [-r {y/n}] [-e {y/n}] [-k {y/n}] PVname...
Makes a volume group.
0516-862 /usr/sbin/mkvg: Unable to create volume group.
##################################################
Thu Aug 14 19:25:24 CDT 2025
cmd: /usr/sbin/alt_rootvg_op -S
0505-140 alt_disk_install: The altinst_rootvg volume group
does not exist.
Checking disk sizes.
Creating cloned rootvg volume group and associated logical volumes.
0505-102 alt_disk_install: mkvg has returned an error.
/usr/sbin/mkvg: Not a recognized flag: a
Usage: /usr/sbin/mkvg [-B] [-t factor] [-S [-v logicalvolumes] [-P partitions]]
[-C] [-G] [-f] [-i] [-I] [-c] [-X {none/SSD}] [-L ltgsize] [-n] [-s size]
[-V majornumber] [-y VGname] [-M {y/s}] [-p mirrorpool] [-O {y/n}]
[-N {n/o}] [-r {y/n}] [-e {y/n}] [-k {y/n}] PVname...
Makes a volume group.
0516-862 /usr/sbin/mkvg: Unable to create volume group.
##################################################
Thu Aug 14 19:25:24 CDT 2025
cmd: /usr/sbin/alt_rootvg_op -S
0505-140 alt_disk_install: The altinst_rootvg volume group
does not exist.
Resolving The Problem
The above sample errors relate to a known issue fixed in VIOS version 4.1.1.
To get passed this error, retry the VIOS upgrade using newer mksysb image version, 4.1.1.X.
Related Information
Document Location
Worldwide
[{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB57","label":"Power"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU058","label":"IBM Infrastructure w\/TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SSPHKW","label":"PowerVM Virtual I\/O Server"},"ARM Category":[{"code":"a8m3p000000PCa2AAG","label":"VIOSUPGRADE-\u003E3.1 to 4.1"}],"ARM Case Number":"TS020061722","Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Version":"3.1.4;4.1.0;4.1.1"}]
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Document Information
Modified date:
02 September 2025
UID
ibm17243020