IBM VIOS Installation over NIM

Prerequisites
IBM VIOS Installation DVD
IBM AIX Installation CD Disk 1 (I used AIX 5.3)
AIX NIM Server (I used AIX 5.3)
Power Series 5

Step 1. Prepare Installation files:
AIX File Limit SizeYou must ensure that your file size security limitation isn't going to stop you from copying your mksysb image from your cdrom to your hard drive. On your NIM server, go to the /etc/security directory and edit the limits file. Change the fsize to -1 or something large enough to ensure the mksysb image will copy over. You will need to reboot your system for this to take place, or you can log out and log in again.
cd /etc/securityvi limitsfsize = -1reboot or logout
Insert and Mount VIOS DVD
smitty mountfsFILE SYSTEM name: /dev/cd0DIRECTORY over which to mount: /cdromTYPE of file system: cdrfsMount as a READ-ONLY system? yes(or mkdir /cdrommount -v cdrfs -o ro /dev/cd0 /cdrom )
Copy installation files from cdrom:
mkdir /export/VIOScd /cdrom/nimol/ioserver_res
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 11969032 Jul 05 07:07 booti.chrp.mp.ent.Z
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 951 Jul 05 07:07 bosinst.data
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 40723208 Jul 05 07:07 ispot.tar.Z
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root system 38 Jul 05 07:07 mksysb -> ../../usr/sys/inst.images/mksysb_image
cp bosinst.data /export/VIOScd /cdrom/usr/sys/inst.images
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 1101926400 Jul 05 06:52 mksysb_image
cp mksysb_image /export/VIOS
For newer versions of vio like 1.5.2 & 2.1 you need to do the following:cp mksysb_image2 /export/VIOScd /export/VIOScat mksysb_image2 >> mksysb_image
Step 2. Define NIM Resources:
Define the mksysb_image resource object
nim -o define -t mksysb -a location=/export/VIOS/mksysb_image -a server=master vios_mksysb
Define the SPOT resource object
mkdir /export/VIOSSPOTnim -o define -t spot -a server=master -a location=/export/VIOS/VIOSSPOT -a source=vios_mksysb vios_spot
# nim -o define -t spot -a server=master -a location=/export/VIOS/VIOSSPOT -a so
urce=vios_mksysb vios_spot
Creating SPOT in "/export/VIOS/VIOSSPOT" on machine "master" from "vios_mksysb"
...
Restoring files from BOS image. This may take several minutes ...
Checking filesets and network boot images for SPOT "vios_spot".
This may take several minutes ...
Define the bosinst resource object
nim -o define -t bosinst_data -a location=/export/VIOS/bosinst.data -a server=master vios_bosinst
Define the lpp_source resource object.( You might skip this step if you wish as lpp_source provides extra filesets. But you should be able to install/runvio without lpp_source, same as AIX. Also note that different VIO version is based on different AIX version.You need to find which AIX version you need to create the lpp_source. Run lsnim -l vios_mksysb and you willsee the AIX version. You need that CD to create the lpp_source. For example for VIO 1.5 you need AIX 5.3 TL7 CD1, for 1.5.2 you need AIX 5.3 TL8 CD1 for 2.1 you need AIX 6.1 TL2. But always run lsnim -l command on the mksysb or the spot you just created to find which AIX CD you need.)
Insert the first disk of the AIX installation. NOTE: When trying to use the VIOS lpp_source, when trying to NIM an LPAR, you get a missing simages error. So instead, we will use the AIX installation CDs, which works just fine.
umount /cdrommkdir /export/VIOS/lppsourcenim -o define -t lpp_source -a source=/dev/cd0 -a server=master -a location=/export/VIOS/lppsource vios_lppsource
Step 3. Create VIOS LPAR:
NOTE: I don't have any pictures of this part of the setup, but it should be obvious how this is doneNOTE: I give specifications for a typical VIOS server. Your environment may vary.
On the Power 5 HMC, right click on Partitions and select Create -> Logical Partition
Enter a Parition ID and a Partition name. Under Partition environment, select Virtual I/O server.
Select Next.
Configure the workload group, otherwise select No. Select Next.
Enter a Profile Name. Select Next.
Enter select the amount of Minimum memory, Desired memory, and Maximum memory. I usually use 2 GB throughout all three. Select Next.
Select a Processing mode. I use Dedicated. Select Next.
If using Dedicated, enter the Minimum processors, Desired processors, and Maximum processors. I usually use 4 processors throughout all three. Select Next.
Select your Hardware Configuration that you wish to use for your environment. Select Next.
Configure I/O pools - Leave these as the default. Select Next.
Configure Virtual I/O adapters - I typically configure this part later. Select Next.
Configure Power Controlling Partitions - Leave these as the default settings. Select Next.
Optional Settings - Leave these as the default settings. Select Next.
Verify settings and Select Finish.
Step 4. NIM VIOS LPAR:
On the NIM server, start NIM: smit nim
Network Installation Management
Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.
Configure the NIM Environment
Perform NIM Software Installation and Maintenance Tasks
Perform NIM Administration Tasks
Create IPL ROM Emulation Media
Esc+1=Help Esc+2=Refresh Esc+3=Cancel Esc+8=Image
Esc+9=Shell Esc+0=Exit Enter=Do
Select Perform NIM Software Installation and Maintenance Tasks
Perform NIM Software Installation and Maintenance Tasks
Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.
Install and Update Software
List Software and Related Information
Software Maintenance and Utilities
Alternate Disk Installation
Manage Diskless/Dataless Machines
Esc+1=Help Esc+2=Refresh Esc+3=Cancel Esc+8=Image
Esc+9=Shell Esc+0=Exit Enter=Do
Select Install and Update Software
Install and Update Software
Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.
Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
Install Software
Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)
Install Software Bundle
Update Software by Fix (APAR)
Install and Update from ALL Available Software
Esc+1=Help Esc+2=Refresh Esc+3=Cancel Esc+8=Image
Esc+9=Shell Esc+0=Exit Enter=Do
Select Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Client
Install and Update Software
Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.
Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
Install Software
Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)
Install Software Bundle
Update Software by Fix (APAR)
Install and Update from ALL Available Software
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Select a TARGET for the operation

Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

reg-05 machines standalone

Esc+1=Help Esc+2=Refresh Esc+3=Cancel
Esc+8=Image Esc+0=Exit Enter=Do
Es /=Find n=Find Next
Es+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Select the machine to install VIOS on. If nothing appears, make sure you have created a standalone system.
Install and Update Software
Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.
Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
Install Software
Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)
Install Software Bundle
Update Software by Fix (APAR)
Install and Update from ALL Available Software
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Select the installation TYPE

Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

rte - Install from installation images
mksysb - Install from a mksysb
spot - Install a copy of a SPOT resource

Esc+1=Help Esc+2=Refresh Esc+3=Cancel
Esc+8=Image Esc+0=Exit Enter=Do
Es /=Find n=Find Next
Es+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Select mksysb - Install from a mksysb
Install and Update Software
Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.
Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
Install Software
Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)
Install Software Bundle
Update Software by Fix (APAR)
Install and Update from ALL Available Software
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Select the MKSYSB to use for the installation

Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

vios_mksysb resources mksysb

Esc+1=Help Esc+2=Refresh Esc+3=Cancel
Esc+8=Image Esc+0=Exit Enter=Do
Es /=Find n=Find Next
Es+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Select the vios_mksysb resource.
Install and Update Software
Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.
Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
Install Software
Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)
Install Software Bundle
Update Software by Fix (APAR)
Install and Update from ALL Available Software
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Select the SPOT to use for the installation

Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

vios_spot resources spot

Esc+1=Help Esc+2=Refresh Esc+3=Cancel
Esc+8=Image Esc+0=Exit Enter=Do
Es /=Find n=Find Next
Es+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Select vios_spot resource.
Select the vios_lppsource resource.
Select the vios_bosinst resource.
Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients
Type or select values in entry fields.
Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.
[TOP] [Entry Fields]
* Installation Target reg-05
* Installation TYPE mksysb
* SPOT vios_spot
LPP_SOURCE [vios_lppsource] +
MKSYSB vios_mksysb
BOSINST_DATA to use during installation [vios_bosinst] +
IMAGE_DATA to use during installation [] +
RESOLV_CONF to use for network configuration [] +
Customization SCRIPT to run after installation [] +
Customization FB Script to run at first reboot [] +
ACCEPT new license agreements? [no] +
Remain NIM client after install? [yes] +
PRESERVE NIM definitions for resources on [yes] +
this target?
FORCE PUSH the installation? [no] +
[MORE...31]
Esc+1=Help Esc+2=Refresh Esc+3=Cancel Esc+4=List
Esc+5=Reset Esc+6=Command Esc+7=Edit Esc+8=Image
Esc+9=Shell Esc+0=Exit Enter=Do
NOTE: Setting the "Remain as NIM client after install" as YES can cause errors when configuring your shared ethernet adapters after install.
Press Enter to start the NIM process.