IBM ~

Installing AIX 5L V5.2 (ML4) on the

IBM ~ BladeCenter JS20
White Paper

Trina Bunting
pSeries Advanced Technical Support
October 2004

Table of Contents

I.

Introduction

Prerequisites

Starting the Management Modules Web interface

II.

Required Firmware Levels

III.

Starting a Serial Over LAN Session

IV.

JS20 Firmware Upgrade Process

Verify Updated Firmware

10

AIX 5L Installation

11

Installation from CD-ROM

11

NIM Installation Using SMS Menus

12

Network Installation of a JS20 Blade

13

A. Broadcast bootp Network Installation

14

B. Directed bootp Network Installation

16

Limitations

19

V.

VI.

VII. Installing Fixes

20

VIII. Backing up the JS20

20

IX.

22

References

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I.

Introduction

This white paper explains how to install AIX 5L V5.2 (ML4) onto an IBM
BladeCenter JS20 using the following install procedures:

Manual installation from CD-ROM

NIM Installation Using SMS Menus
Automatic Installation from Network

It also covers how to install the prerequisite firmware level required to install AIX 5L as
well as how to backup the JS20.

Prerequisites
The following prerequisites are necessary to install AIX 5L on the JS20:

The latest BladeCenter JS20 firmware

AIX 5L Version 5.2 with the 5200-04 Recommended Maintenance package, or
later
BladeCenter with at least 2 Ethernet Switch Modules (ESM) for Serial Over LAN
(SOL) support (there must be an ESM in slot 1 that supports SOL)

This document assumes the Serial Over LAN (SOL) feature is already setup on the
BladeCenter. The BladeCenter JS20 Type 8842 Installation and Users Guide describes
how to setup the components needed for SOL functionality. There is also a whitepaper
on JS20 SOL setup called Enabling and Configuring SOL (Serial Over LAN) on an 8842
BladeServer. These documents can be found at http://www307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?template=/productpage/landingpages/produ
ctPageLandingPage.vm&brandind=8&familyind=157722&machineind=158427&modeli
nd=0&partnumberind=0&subcategoryind=0&doctypeind=8&doccategoryind=0&operati
ngsystemind=49977&validate=true.

Starting the Management Modules Web interface

The BladeCenter Management Module (MM) Web interface provides the central point of
control for the BladeCenter components. To log into the MM Web interface, start a
browser and point it to the IP address or name of the MM (e.g. 192.168.70.125 default
IP address for external interface). Enter the userid/password, the default is
USERID/PASSW0RD (note: all upper case, with a zero). This is usually done from a
ThinkPad, or whatever system happens to be available. Make sure to select a
reasonable timeout value otherwise your session will expire from inactivity. Now click
on Continue to see the MM.

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II.

Required Firmware Levels

The minimum JS20 firmware level that supports AIX 5L is FW04310120 (or higher).
Older firmware levels must be updated before installing AIX 5L. Version 1.0 BQ8T16A
of the Integrated Systems Management Processor (ISMP) firmware is the minimum
supported level for use with system firmware level FW04310120. Unpredictable results
may be experienced if an older version of ISMP code is installed. This version of ISMP
firmware must be installed before updating the system firmware.
If you have firmware level bFW0419000 or lower, AIX 5L is not supported. If you have
Linux installed, you can update the firmware using the update_flash command. If you
do not have Linux installed, then you will need to install it before you can update
your firmware and load AIX 5L. This should only affect clients that originally ordered
Linux with their JS20 but now want to install AIX 5L. Clients that order AIX 5L with
their JS20 will not have this problem because the firmware will be automatically loaded
by IBM. These clients will be able to install AIX 5L without having to install Linux first.
This firmware can be downloaded via the support Web site at:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-55553.
Please refer to the IBM Support Web site at http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/ for the
current version of the JS20 Installation and User's Guide, the Hardware Maintenance
Manual and Troubleshooting Guide.

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III. Starting a Serial Over LAN Session

In the BladeCenter environment, the integrated system management processor (ISMP)
and network interface controller (NIC) on each blade server route the serial data from the
blade server serial communications port to the network infrastructure of the BladeCenter
unit, including an Ethernet compatible I/O module that supports SOL communication.
Configuration of BladeCenter components for SOL operation is done through the
BladeCenter management.

For more information on setting up Serial Over LAN, refer to the BladeCenter JS20 Type
8842 Installation and User Guide or a white paper describing JS20 SOL setup, Enabling
and Configuring SOL (Serial Over LAN) on an 8842 Blade Server white paper,
IBM
BladeCenter, BladeCenter JS20.
To start a SOL session telnet (using Windows telnet client or PUTTY [Windows SSH
Client Program]) to the MM, and provide the userid/password, the default is
USERID/PASSW0RD (note: all upper case, with a zero). To bring up a console for a
blade, enter this command at the prompt: console T blade[x] where x is a number 114, indicating which blade in the chassis to select. The SOL session buffers up to 8KB of
data, so when the session is started, any buffered data will scroll past.
To set the environment, so all commands are directed to a specific blade, enter: env T
system:blade[x], where x is a number 1-14. Then one just needs to enter: console, to
start an SOL session on blade x. To terminate an SOL session, press ESC, then shift-9 (a
left parenthesis).
Telnet sessions with the BladeCenter Management Module have a default timeout value
of 120 seconds (2 minutes). If there is no telnet or SOL traffic within the timeout
interval, the telnet session and any SOL session associated with this telnet session will
terminate. To change this value telnet to the MM and type the following at the system
prompt system>:

telnetcfg -T system:mm[x]
env -T system:mm[x]
telnetcfg -t 0

Displays the current value

Sets MM as command target for current session

Set telnet timeout to no timeout

Refer to the IBM

BladeCenter Management Module Command-Line Interface
Reference Guide for information.

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IV. JS20 Firmware Upgrade Process

Use one of the following procedures to upgrade the firmware on the JS20:

Firmware Upgrade Using CD-ROM

The JS20 firmware must be upgraded before installing AIX 5L unless its a new system.
Use the following procedure to upgrade the JS20 firmware.
1. Connect to the console on the target blade using SOL via the Management
Module (MM).
Enable SOL for the BladeCenter.
Enable SOL for the target blade.
Establish an SOL connection to the target blade.
2. Boot the target blade from the CD-ROM via the MM.
Assign the media tray to the target blade.
Select the CD-ROM as the boot device for the target blade.
Insert the JS20 Firmware Update CD-ROM into the media tray.
Power on the target blade.
3. Update the flash.
The flash program will start automatically.
Press "y" when asked if you want to update the flash.
Press "n" when asked if you want to promote the flash.
Press any key to reboot the blade.
Sample output:
****************************
* IBM FLASH UPDATE UTILITY *
* JS20BLADE FIRMWARE ONLY *
****************************
CUR FIRMWARE: Tue Mar 23 11:00:14 2004
NEW FIRMWARE:

Thu Jun 17 13:09:44 2004

DO YOU WANT TO UPDATE FLASH (y/n): <-- press "y" here

BEGIN FLASH UPDATE
Calculate CRC
Erase bank 1
Update FW
GPUL flash update success
FLASH UPDATE SUCCESS
DO YOU WANT TO PROMOTE FLASH (y/n): <-- press "n" here
PRESS ANY KEY TO REBOOT SYSTEM

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4. Promote the new firmware.

The flash program will start automatically after reboot.
Verify the system has booted from the new firmware by verifying that the
current firmware (CUR) date matches the NEW firmware date.
Press "n" when asked if you want to update the flash.
Press "y" when asked if you want to promote the flash.
Power off the target blade.
Sample output:
****************************
* IBM FLASH UPDATE UTILITY *
* JS20BLADE FIRMWARE ONLY *
****************************
CUR FIRMWARE:

Thu Jun 17 13:09:44 2004

NEW FIRMWARE:

Thu Jun 17 13:09:44 2004

DO YOU WANT TO UPDATE FLASH (y/n): <-- press "n" here

DO YOU WANT TO PROMOTE FLASH (y/n): <-- press "y" here
BEGIN FLASH PROMOTE
Erase bank 2
FlashingVerifying/
Flash copy success
FLASH PROMOTE SUCCESS
PRESS ANY KEY TO REBOOT SYSTEM <-- power off here

5. Your system firmware has been successfully updated to a version that supports
AIX 5L. You may now install AIX 5L.

Firmware Upgrade using Network

1. Connect to the console on the target blade using SOL via the Management Module
(MM). See the JS20 documentation for instructions on how to setup SOL if necessary.
Enable SOL for the BladeCenter.
Enable SOL for the target blade.
Establish an SOL connection to the target blade.
2. Power on the blade and stop at the Open Firmware prompt ( 0 >).
To stop at the Open Firmware prompt, watch for progress code D5BB and press
8 on the keyboard. (Note: you only have 5 seconds to press 8).
.
.
.
D099
D5BB 5 <-- press 8 here

0>

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3. Set the blade to network boot from eth1.

If on the same subnet, enter the following command:
boot /pci@8000000f8000000/pci@0/ethernet@1,1

If on a different subnet, enter the following command:

boot /pci@8000000f8000000/pci@0/ethernet@1,1:<server ip
addr>,,<client ip addr>,<gateway ip addr>
Example:
boot /pci@8000000f8000000/pci@0/ethernet@1,1:192.168.0.3,,192.168.0.2,
0.0.0.0

You will see the following:

BOOTP:
BOOTP:
BOOTP:
BOOTP:
BOOTP:
BOOTP:
BOOTP:
BOOTP:

chosen-network-type = ethernet,auto,none,auto
server
IP =
0.0.0.0
requested filename =
client
IP =
0.0.0.0
client
HW addr =
0 d 60 1e 9 1d
gateway IP =
0.0.0.0
device
/pci@8000000f8000000/pci@0/ethernet@1,1
loc-code U1234.123.1234567-P1-T7

BOOTP R = 1
FILE: js20-flash
Load Addr=0x0000000000004000, Max Size=0x0000000000bfc000
FINAL Packet Count = 4235
FINAL File Size = 2167840 bytes.
load-base=0x4000
real-base=0xc00000
Elapsed time since release of system processors: 0 mins 50 secs

4. Flash program will start and prompt you if you want to flash, enter y
****************************
* IBM FLASH UPDATE UTILITY *
* JS20BLADE FIRMWARE ONLY *
****************************
CUR FIRMWARE: Tue Mar 23 11:00:14 2004
NEW FIRMWARE:

Thu Jun 17 13:09:44 2004

DO YOU WANT TO UPDATE FLASH (y/n): <-- press y here

BEGIN FLASH UPDATE
Calculate CRC
Erase bank 1
Update FW
GPUL flash update success
FLASH UPDATE SUCCESS

5. Reboot the system to ensure your firmware will successfully boot.

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The program will ask you if you want to promote the firmware, enter n
DO YOU WANT TO PROMOTE FLASH (y/n): <-- press n here
PRESS ANY KEY TO REBOOT SYSTEM
will reboot.

<-- press any key here and the system

6. Stop at the Open Firmware prompt and net boot from eth1 again (repeat steps 2 and
3).
To stop at OF prompt, watch for progress code D5BB and press 8 (Note: you only have 5
seconds to press 8
D099
D5BB 5 <-- press 8 here
0 >
0 > boot /pci@8000000f8000000/pci@0/ethernet@1,1 <-- boot from
eth1

7. Verify system booted from new firmware by verifying that Current firmware (CUR)
matches the NEW firmware version. Enter n to the update flash question.
****************************
* IBM FLASH UPDATE UTILITY *
* JS20BLADE FIRMWARE ONLY *
****************************
CUR FIRMWARE:

Thu Jun 17 13:09:44 2004

NEW FIRMWARE:

Thu Jun 17 13:09:44 2004

DO YOU WANT TO UPDATE FLASH (y/n): <-- press n here

8. Promote the firmware

DO YOU WANT TO PROMOTE FLASH (y/n): <-- press y here
BEGIN FLASH PROMOTE
Erase bank 2
FlashingVerifying/
Flash copy success
FLASH PROMOTE SUCCESS
PRESS ANY KEY TO REBOOT SYSTEM

Your system firmware has been successfully updated to a version that supports
AIX 5L.

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Verify Updated Firmware

To display firmware version information, perform the following AIX 5L commands and
steps:
1. From the root directory, determine the directory path of the command
dmpdt_chrp which dumps the device tree. Enter the following command:
find . -name dmpdt_chrp -print
As an example, the system may return ./usr/lib/boot/bin
2. Display the device tree and copy it to a file, for example dmpdt_chrp_out.
Enter the following command:
(directory path)/dmpdt_chrp | tee dmpdt_chrp_out
3. Open the file with an editor (e.g. vi) and search for "openprom".
As an example, this will return:
/openprom
name
6f70656e 70726f6d 00
ibm,fw-vernum_encoded
46573034 33313031 323000

[openprom........]
[FW04310120......]

.......
ibm,fw-bank
5400
ibm,fw-temp-bank
46573034 33313031
363a3039 2c203037
00
ibm,fw-perm-bank
46573034 33313031
363a3039 2c203037

[T...............]
32302c20 31373a31
2f32362f 32303034

[FW04310120, 17:1]
[6:09, 07/26/2004]
[................]

32302c20 31373a31
2f32362f 32303034

[bFW0416000, 12:1]
[1:11, 04/13/2004]

In this example, ibm,fw-vernum_encoded value [FW04310120......]

indicate that FW04310120 is the version of firmware that is being
executed by the system.
The value for ibm,fw-bank indicates what side you booted from
(T for TEMP, P for PERM).
The value for ibm,fw-temp-bank indicates the firmware version,
date and time stamp of firmware on the TEMP side.
The value for ibm,fw-perm-bank identifies the firmware version,
date and time stamp of firmware on the PERM side.

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V.

AIX 5L Installation

There are several ways to install AIX 5L on the JS20. These methods include a manual
installation from CD-ROM, installing using the SMS Menus or performing a network
installation using Network Installation Manager. General information for AIX 5L
installation is available in the AIX 5L Version 5.2 Installation Guide and Reference.

Installation from CD-ROM

Start the MM Web interface (as described in the Introduction). Give the target install
blade sole access to the CD-ROM drive by pressing the CD button on the top/front of the
blade. This can also be done remotely in the MM Web interface, under Blade Tasks,
select Remote Control, then Start Remote Control and select the blade from the
Change media tray owner pull down. Now complete the following steps:
1. Ensure that the JS20 blade's boot list is set to install from the CD-ROM in the
MM Web interface by selecting Blade Tasks then Configuration and scroll
down to Boot Sequence section or just select Boot Sequence.
2. Click the JS20 blade that you are installing and ensure the first device listed is
CD-ROM then click Save.
3. Insert volume 1 of the AIX 5L V5.2 (ML4) installation CD into the media trays
CD-ROM drive.
4. Power on the JS20 blade from the MM Web interface by selecting Blade Tasks
then Power/Restart.
5. Select the JS20 blade that you are installing and click Power On Blade or
Restart Blade.
6. Open a SOL session in order to perform the manual installation steps for
installing AIX 5L. Telnet to MM and run the console command. For example, if
the JS20 blade is in slot 3, you would run the following command:
console -T blade[3]

On the SOL console, you should see the bring-up codes scrolling past while the
JS20 initializes.
7. Follow the AIX 5L installation instructions for a New and Complete Overwrite
Installation in the AIX 5L Version 5.2 Installation Guide and Reference.
Note: When installing AIX 5L from a CD-ROM, the installation appears to hang after
installing filesets from Volume 1. At this point, the installation is verifying the installed
filesets, which can take approximately 50 minutes. This is due to the speed of the
CD-ROM in the media tray. The last thing that appears on the screen is:
Validating RPM packages selections . . .
Cdrecord

######################################################

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Mkisofs

######################################################

NIM Installation via the SMS Menus

To install your JS20 from the SMS Menu make sure your JS20 is set to the correct boot
sequence. From the MM select Blade Tasks then Configuration then select Boot
Sequence or just scroll down to the Boot Sequence section. Select the JS20 Server
onto which you want to install the operating systems. For the 1st device, change the boot
sequence to Network BOOTP then click Save.
To reboot the JS20 from the MM select Blade Tasks then Power/Restart. Check the
box for the blade you wish to start installing and power it on by selecting Power On
Blade or Restart Blade. Next, start an SOL session as described previously (e.g.
console T blade[x]). On the SOL console, you should see the bring-up codes scrolling
past while the JS20 initializes. When E1F1 appears, press 1 to bring up the SMS
Menu.
Note: This installation method requires a second Ethernet switch module in slot 2 of the
BladeCenter chassis.

The SMS Menu appears.

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To install AIX 5L from the SMS menu do the following:

1. Select 4 for Setup Remote IPL <Initial Program Load> and press the enter key.
2. At the NIC Adapter Menu select the second network adapter and press the enter
key.
3. At the Network Parameters Menu select 1 for IP Parameters and press the enter
key.
4. At the IP Parameters menu add the Client IP Address, Server IP Address,
Gateway IP Address and the Subnet Mask. Now press the ESC key to return to
the previous menu.
5. Select 3 for Ping Test and press the enter key. Now select 1 to Execute Ping
Test and press the enter key.
6. Type X to exit the SMS menu and start your AIX 5L Installation.
7. Follow the AIX 5L installation instructions for a New and Complete Overwrite
Installation in the AIX 5L Version 5.2 Installation Guide and Reference.

Network Installation of a JS20 Blade

Using this scenario, you can install AIX 5L for the first time or overwrite an existing
version of the operating system onto a JS20 blade. In this scenario, you will do the
following:
Gather the required TCP/IP information for your JS20 blade.
Prepare your Network Installation Management (NIM) environment.
Configure a NIM master.
Create NIM installation resources.
Define your JS20 blade as a NIM client.
Prepare your JS20 blade for a network installation.
Boot the JS20 blade off the network using a directed bootp or broadcast bootp
method.

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To perform a network install, you will need to configure a NIM master if you do not
already have one configured. For instructions on how to create a NIM master, see
Configuring the NIM Master and Creating Basic Installation Resources.
Note: This procedure requires shutting down and reinstalling the base operating system.
When you reinstall any operating system, schedule your downtime when it least impacts
your workload to protect yourself from a possible loss of data or functionality. Before
you perform a new and complete overwrite installation, ensure you have reliable backups
of your data and any customized applications or volume groups. This procedure also
requires a second Ethernet switch module in slot 2 of the BladeCenter chassis.

A. Broadcast bootp Network Installation

To perform a broadcast bootp, ensure that the NIM server is on the same subnet as the
JS20 blade that you are installing. During a broadcast bootp, the JS20 blade sends a
broadcast bootp packet to its subnet. The NIM server receives and responds to this
packet. The JS20 blade NIM client definition on your NIM master must include the MAC
address of the JS20 blade's network adapter used during the installation, or the NIM
server will not respond to a broadcast bootp. If your NIM master is on a different subnet,
and you want to perform a broadcast bootp, you must set up another system on the
client's subnet to forward broadcast bootp packets.
To set up a bootp to forward broadcast bootp packets, complete the following steps:
1. Add the IP address of your NIM server to the /etc/dhcprd.cnf file on the bootp
forwarder machine. For example, if you NIM server's IP address is 192.24.24.1,
add server 192.24.24.1 to /etc/dhcprd.cnf
2. Run startsrc -s dhcprd.
This machine will now forward broadcast bootp packets to your NIM server that is on a
different subnet. You must also install the latest Firmware version onto your client for the
client to correctly handle the bootp response from the bootp that is forwarding broadcast
bootp packets.

Step 1: Prepare Your NIM Server

Performing a broadcast bootp is similar to a directed bootp. The steps are the same,
except you that must obtain the MAC address of the JS20 blade's network adapter that
you will use to perform this network install.
1. Obtain the MAC address from the MM Web interface by completing the
following steps:
a. Select Monitors -> Hardware VPD.
b. Scroll down to BladeCenter Server MAC Addresses.

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c. Find the JS20 blade that you plan to install and the MAC address that
corresponds to the adapter you will use to perform the installation. Write
this MAC address down.
2. Specify the MAC Address when you define the JS20 blade as a NIM client. If you
are using the smitty nim_mkmac command, specify the MAC address on the
Network Adapter Hardware Address SMIT screen. Do not include the colons (":")
when you are specifying the MAC address. If the client is already defined, you
can change the MAC address with the smitty nim_chmac command.
3. Set up your NIM master to install the JS20 blade, by completing the following
steps:
a. Run the smitty nim_bosinst command.
b. Select the JS20 blade that is defined as your target .
c. Select the type of install that you want to perform and select the
installation resources that you want to use to install the JS20 blade.
You can also prepare the JS20 blade to install using the bos_inst NIM operation
on the command line. For more information on using the bos_inst operation, see
bos_inst.
4. Power off the JS20 blade. If you do not want the JS20 blade to reboot
automatically, set Initiate reboot and installation now? to no in the SMIT
screen and press Enter.

Step 2: Initiate the Installation from the Management Module

NIM uses the bootp protocol when performing a network installation. The bootp protocol
allows you to install through a directed bootp or broadcast bootp request.
1. Ensure that the JS20 blade's boot list is set to install from the network in the MM
Web interface by selecting Blade Tasks then Configuration and scroll down
to Boot Sequence.
2. Click the JS20 blade that you are installing and ensure the first device listed is
Network - BOOTP. When the JS20 blade boots, it will install from the first
network adapter that receives a bootp response.
Note: You should not have a Serial Over LAN connection open to the JS20 blade
that you are attempting to install when you power on the JS20 blade.
3. Click save.
4. Power on the JS20 blade from the MM Web interface by selecting Blade Tasks
then Power/Restart.
5. Select the JS20 blade that you are installing and click Power On Blade.
If you do not have a Serial Over LAN connection to the JS20 blade, you can view the
status of the installation by running the following command from your NIM master:

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lsnim -l js20_nim_name

For example, if the JS20 blade was defined as JS20blade1, run the following command:
lsnim -l JS20blade1

Note: If you run the AIX 5L bootlist command to set the IP parameters for a network
adapter and reboot the system, the IP parameters will be stored in NVRAM. When you
reboot the JS20 blade from the MM with the boot sequence set to Network-BOOTP,
the JS20 blade attempts to use the IP parameters stored in NVRAM instead of performing
a broadcast bootp. To perform a broadcast bootp, run the bootlist command specifying
0.0.0.0 for each IP parameter and reboot from AIX 5L using the shutdown -Fr command.
For example, to perform a broadcast bootp over ent1, run the following commands.
# bootlist -m normal ent1 client=0.0.0.0 bserver=0.0.0.0 gateway=0.0.0.0 hdisk0
# shutdown -Fr

If you are unable to log into the AIX 5L system, then follow the instructions for
performing a directed bootp via the Open Firmware prompt, but specify "0.0.0.0" for
each IP address. Once the JS20 blade installs successfully, the boot IP parameters are
reset to "0.0.0.0".

B. Directed bootp Network Installation

A directed bootp can be used to install a JS20 blade from a NIM server and does not
require the NIM server to be on the same subnet as the JS20 blade. This option does not
require that you have the MAC address of the network adapter on the JS20 blade. To
perform a directed bootp, you need a Serial over LAN connection to the blade so that you
can specify the IP parameters to Open Firmware. Currently you must have 2 network
adapters to perform a NIM installation if you are using Serial Over LAN. You cannot
install AIX 5L over the same adapter that is using Serial Over LAN.

Step 1: Prepare Your NIM Server

1. Create a SPOT, lpp_source, and any other resources that you will need at the level
of AIX 5L that you want to install on your NIM server. Your NIM server is
usually the NIM master, but you can also set up a NIM client as a NIM server.
For instructions on how to create NIM resources, see Configuring the NIM
Master and Creating Basic Installation Resources.
2. Ensure that you have the information in the following worksheet for your JS20
blade before proceeding with the installation:
Table 2. Network Configuration Information Worksheet
Network Attribute
Value
Network Interface
(For example: ent1)
Host Name

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Table 2. Network Configuration Information Worksheet

Network Attribute
Value
IP Address
_______.________.________.________
Network Mask

_______.________.________.________

Name server

_______.________.________.________

Domain Name
Gateway

_______.________.________.________

3. Define the JS20 blade as a NIM client on your NIM master by running the smitty
nim_mkmac command on the NIM master. This command creates a client
definition for your JS20 blade. You can also define the JS20 blade using the
define NIM operation on the command line.
4. If you want to set the JS20 blade's name server and domain name after the
installation, use a resolv_conf resource. For more information on creating a
resolv_conf resource, see resolv_conf Resource.
5. Set up your NIM master to install the JS20 blade, by running the smitty
nim_bosinst command. Select the JS20 blade that you defined earlier as your
target. Then select the type of install that you want to perform and select the
installation resources that you want to use to install the JS20 blade. You can also
prepare the JS20 blade to install using the bos_inst NIM operation on the
command line.
Notes:
a. If the JS20 blade is powered off or has never been installed, set Initiate
reboot and installation now? to no and press enter in the SMIT interface.
b. If the JS20 blade is powered on and running AIX 5L, set Initiate reboot
and installation now? to yes in the SMIT interface. If you choose this
option, a directed bootp is initiated by default and you can skip step 2.
Before you run this command, ensure that the JS20 blade is a registered
NIM client. To do this, run smitty niminit on the JS20 blade. Then specify
the hostname of your NIM master and the interface you want to use for the
installation. You can also initialize the JS20 blade using the niminit
command on the command line.

Step 2: Specify a Directed bootp from the JS20 blade

1. Open a Web interface to the MM by navigating to the IP address or hostname of
the MM using a Web browser.
2. Enable Serial over LAN to the JS20 blade from the MM Web interface by
selecting Blade Tasks then Serial Over LAN.
3. Select the JS20 blade that you are installing and click Enable Serial Over LAN.
4. Power on the JS20 blade from the MM Web interface by selecting Blade Tasks
then Power/Restart.

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5. Select the JS20 blade that you are installing and click Power On Blade.
6. Open a Serial Over LAN connection to the JS20 blade by telnetting into the MM
and running the console command. For example, if the JS20 blade is in slot 3, you
would run the following command:
console -T blade[3]

The Serial Over LAN connection shows a series of LED numbers.

7. Press 8 on the keyboard when you see E1F1 to go to the Open Firmware prompt.
8. Run boot net:bootp,server_ip,,client_ip,gateway_ip to boot from the network.
o If you are using a net type boot, you would run a command similar to the
following:
boot net:bootp,192.168.2.10,,192.168.1.11,192.168.1.1
o

If you are using ent1, then you would run a command similar to the
following:
boot
/pci@8000000f8000000/pci@0/ethernet@1,1:bootp,192.168.2.10,
,192.168.1.11,192.168.1.1

Note: You must specify the full device path name with this command. To
determine the full path to your device, list the device tree by running the
ls command at the Open Firmware prompt. This command displays
output similar to the following:
0 > ls
000000c87f18: /ibm,serial
000000c88840: /chosen
000000c88a98: /packages
...
000000d31488: /vdevice
000000d327a8:
/vty@0
000000d32f88:
/IBM,sp@4000
000000d33f10:
/rtc@4001
000000d34a18: /pci@8000000f8000000
000000d384d0:
/pci@0
000000d4bbd0:
/ethernet@1
000000d5af50:
/ethernet@1,1
000000d3be00:
/pci@3
000000d6a350:
/usb@0
000000d845f8:
/hub@1
000000d854b8:
/usb@0,1
000000d9f760:
/hub@1
000000d3f798:
/pci@1f
000000d45ed8:
/ide@4,1
000000d47b10:
/disk@0

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The highlighted items are the path to the second ethernet adapter. You
would pass this information to the boot command to initiate a network
boot from the second ethernet adapter
9. After you run the boot command, the network installation begins. Output similar
to the following is displayed on the Serial over LAN connection:
BOOTP: chosen-network-type =
ethernet,auto,none,auto
BOOTP: server
IP =
192.168.2.10
BOOTP: requested filename =
BOOTP: client
IP =
192.168.1.11
BOOTP: client
HW addr =
0 d 60 1e c cb
BOOTP: gateway IP =
192.168.1.1
BOOTP: device
/pci@8000000f8000000/pci@0/ethernet@1,1
BOOTP: loc-code U8842.P1Z.23A0984-P1-T7
BOOTP R = 1
FILE: /tftpboot/js20blade1.austin.ibm.com
Load Addr=0x0000000000004000, Max
Size=0x0000000000bfc000
FINAL Packet Count = 21131
FINAL File Size = 10818623 bytes.
load-base=0x4000
real-base=0xc00000
Elapsed time since release of system
processors: 2 mins 28 secs

VI. Limitations
SOL Restrictions
SOL uses the first (Planar Ethernet 1) network interface of the 8842 Blade Server to
communicate. When this network interface attempts to use bootp, the network interface is
reset. This causes any current SOL session to be dropped and become Not Ready.
Therefore, you must not attempt to configure or use bootp on the first (Planar Ethernet 1)
network interface. If you require bootp, you must use the second (Planar Ethernet 2)
network interface. In order for the second network interface of the 8842 Blade Server to
function, you must also install a supported ESM (Ethernet Switch Module) in I/O Module
Bay 2.
In order for the second network interface of the JS20 Blade Server to function, a
supported ESM (Ethernet Switch Module) must be installed in I/O Module Bay 2. The
first network interface is dedicated for SOL by default, if any attempt is made to
configure it, perform a NIM install or to run on the network, an AIX 5L error will be
returned. By this technical limitation, the SOL and the first network interface are
mutually exclusive. The sol_running ODM attribute is user modifiable to override the
SOL default and enable (Planar Ethernet 1) network interface 1 to use Ethernet but as

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described above. Refer to the Installing Fixes section of this document for more
information.

Media Tray
AIX 5L will not automatically detect the CD-ROM from the media tray when you assign
it to another blade. For example, if you have the CD-ROM from the media tray assigned
to blade #1 then you decide to use it on blade #2, the new blade shows cd0 is in a defined
state. The original blade (blade #1) still shows cd0 as available. You should be able to
run cfgmgr to make cd0 available on blade #2. It will also still show available on blade
#1. You can run rmdev l cd0 to make the device unavailable on blade #1.

Cisco Switch Module

The Cisco Ethernet Switch Module does not support SOL on JS20 blades with AIX .
Therefore, it cannot be used in Slot 1 of the BladeCenter without an efix. Refer to the
Installing Fixes section of this document for more information.

VII. Installing Fixes

SOL and Ethernet on ent0
The current driver for AIX 5L V5.2 (ML4) places a restriction on SOL usage. This
means you cannot have SOL and Ethernet traffic on ent0. There is an APAR (IY60627)
available which corrects this problem. After applying this APAR there should be no
problem in configuring SOL and Ethernet traffic over ent0. This APAR can be obtained
via the normal support channels.

SOL support for Cisco Switch Module

There is an AIX 5L V5.2 (ML4) device driver efix for JS20 to support Cisco Ethernet
Switch Module in Slot 1 of the BladeCenter chassis. This efix can be obtained through
the regular support channels.

VIII. Backing Up the JS20

The Media tray on the chassis does not come with a CD RW or tape drive for the JS20.
Therefore, in order to backup your JS20, you have to do an mksysb to a file. The backup
can then be installed via NIM.
The following script was written by Steve Knudson (pSeries Advanced Technical
Support Group) which totally automates the mksysb process using NIM. This script
should be executed from the NIM master. It gets the mksysb from client in machine list
(m flag). If no machinelist, it gets the mksysb from all known clients. It manages

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generations of client mksysb. The r flag removes the old mksysb before creating a new
one.
#!/bin/ksh
#
# get_mksysb [-r] [-n] [-m 'machines to get mksysb from']
#
# get mksysb from each client machine specified with -m. If no
# machines specified, get mksysb from ALL machines. -r flag says
# remove oldest existing mksysb for the machines being backed up.
# use -n no_make flag with -r to remove a generation of mksysb,
# without creating a new one.
remove_old=
machine_list=
no_make=
while getopts rnm: option
do
case $option in
r) remove_old=1;;
m) machine_list="$OPTARG";;
n) no_make=1;;
esac
done
# if machine_list is null at this point, set it to ALL clients
if [ -z "$machine_list" ]; then
machine_list=`lsnim -c machines | grep -v master | awk '{print
$1}'`
fi
echo machine list is $machine_list
cd /export/mksysb
for m in $machine_list
do
if [ ! -z "$remove_old" ]; then
echo removing old file / nim resource $(ls -lt $m* | tail 1 | awk '{print
$9}')
nim -o remove $(ls -lt $m* | tail -1 | awk '{print $9}')
rm $(ls -lt $m* | tail -1 | awk '{print $9}')
fi
# if no_make is null, go ahead and make the mksysb
if [ -z "$no_make" ]; then
filename="$m"_`date +%Y%m%d%H%M`
echo new file / nim resource is $filename
echo machine to backup is $m
nim -o define -t mksysb -aserver=master -amk_image=yes \
-alocation=/export/mksysb/$filename \
-asource=$m $filename
fi
done

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IX. References
The following documents are listed on the IBM PC support Web site (http://www307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?template=/productpage/landingpages/produ
ctPageLandingPage.vm&brandind=8&familyind=157722&machineind=158427&modeli
nd=0&partnumberind=0&subcategoryind=0&doctypeind=8&doccategoryind=0&operati
ngsystemind=49977&validate=true):
1.
2.
3.
4.

BladeCenter JS20 Type 8842 Installation and Users Guide

IBM ~ BladeCenter Management Module Users Guide
IBM ~ BladeCenter Planning and Installation Guide
Enabling and Configuring SOL (Serial Over LAN) on an 8842 Blade Server white
paper, IBM ~ BladeCenter JS20, by Mike Noterieke

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Copyright IBM Corporation 2004

IBM Corporation
Marketing Communications
Systems and Technology Group
Route 100
Somers, New York 10589
Produced in the United States of America
October 2004
All Rights Reserved
This document was developed for products and/or
services offered in the United States. IBM may not
offer the products, features, or services discussed
in this document in other countries.
The information may be subject to change without
notice. Consult your local IBM business contact for
information on the products, features and services
available in your area.

All statements regarding IBMs future direction and

intent are subject to change or withdrawal without
notice, and represent goals and objectives only.
IBM, the IBM logo, the e-business logo,
,
AIX 5L, BladeCenter and ThinkPad are
trademarks or registered trademarks of
International Business Machines Corporation in
the United States or other countries or both. See
http://www.ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds
in the United States, other countries or both.
This equipment is subject to FCC rules. It will
comply with the appropriate FCC rules before final
delivery to the buyer.
IBM hardware products are manufactured from
new parts, or new and used parts. Regardless, our
warranty terms apply.
Information concerning non-IBM products was
obtained from the suppliers of these products.
Questions on the capabilities of the non-IBM
products should be addressed with the suppliers.
All performance information was determined in a
controlled environment. Actual results may vary.
Performance information is provided AS IS and
no warranties or guarantees are expressed or
implied by IBM.
The IBM home page on the Internet can be found
at http://www.ibm.com.
The IBM UNIX systems home page on the
Internet can be found at
http://www.ibm.com/servers/aix.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation
in the United States, other countries, or both.
UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open
Group in the United States, other countries or
both.
The IBM BladeCenter JS20 home page on the
Internet can be found at
http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/bladecenter/in
dex.html.

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