NIM Server Creation

1) Identify Resources
lppsource – 3 GB per Version or Release level of AIX
SPOT – 200 MB Per Version or Release level of AIX
Server – Lots of disk. Start with 3 GB per client + 3 GB per level of AIX.
Clients
Network Interfaces
bosinst.data – install from scratch, migration
image.data – optional

2) Create NIM VG and File system

smitty mkvg  create exportvg
smitty crfs  create /export file system (large file enabled JFS, or JFS2)
You may or may not want to create additional filesystems for other NIM resources
Typically:
lppsources: /export/aix_level (e.g. aix_520)
SPOT: /export/aixlevel_SPOT (e.g. aix520_SPOT)
Images: /export/images (used for mksysb images)
You will need to add the images directory to /etc/exports with root access
from your LPARs. Be sure to run exportfs –a to recreate the /etc/xtab file
Other resources: /export/nim (e.g. bosinst.data …)

3) Create NIM Server

Install the following filesets if not already on the NIM master
bos.sysmgt.nim.client
bos.sysmgt.nim.master
bos.sysmgt.nim.spot

Configure primary network and start the NIM daemons

smitty nim  Configure the NIM Environment  Advanced Configuration  Initialize
NIM Master Only 
Configure Network Installation Management Master Fileset

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[Entry Fields]
* Network Name [PublicTokenRing]
* Primary Network Install Interface [tr0] +

Allow Machines to Register Themselves as Clients? [yes] +

Alternate Port Numbers for Network Communications
(reserved values will be used if left blank)
Client Registration [] #
Client Communications [] #

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List

Esc+5=Reset F6=Command F7=Edit F8=Image
F9=Shell F10=Exit Enter=Do
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Create/Define NIM lppsource and SPOT
Do this for each level of AIX being used.
smitty nim  Configure the NIM Environment  Advanced Configuration  Create
NIM Basic Installation resources  Create a LPPSOURCE and SPOT  Select the
master 
Create Basic Installation Resources

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[TOP] [Entry Fields]

* Resource SERVER master
* Input device for installation images [cd0] +
(specify the device on the resource server)

* LPP_SOURCE Name [aix_520]

* LPP_SOURCE Directory [/export/aix_520] +
Create new file system for LPP_SOURCE? [no] +
File system SIZE (MB) [650] #
VOLUME GROUP for new file system [/exportvg] +

* SPOT Name [AIX52_SPOT]

* SPOT Directory [/export/aix52_SPOT] +
Create new file system for SPOT? [no] +
File system SIZE (MB) [350] #
VOLUME GROUP for new file system [exportvg] +

Remove all newly added NIM definitions [no] +

and filesystems if any part of this
operation fails?
[BOTTOM]

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List

Esc+5=Reset F6=Command F7=Edit F8=Image
F9=Shell F10=Exit Enter=Do

Define NIM Clients

The client systems need to be defined in the /etc/hosts file prior to these installation steps.
Do this for every NIM Client.
smitty nim  Configure the NIM Environment  Advanced Configuration  Define
NIM Clients Machines  Add a NIM client 
Define a Machine

Type or select a value for the entry field.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[Entry Fields]
* Host Name of Machine [mozart]
(Primary Network Install Interface)

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List

Esc+5=Reset F6=Command F7=Edit F8=Image
F9=Shell F10=Exit Enter=Do

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4) Load all of AIX CD filesets into lppsources for every level of AIX supported
smitty bffcreate  select cd
Copy Software to Hard Disk for Future Installation

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[Entry Fields]
* INPUT device / directory for software /dev/cd0
* SOFTWARE package to copy [all] +
* DIRECTORY for storing software package [/export/aix_520]
DIRECTORY for temporary storage during copying [/tmp]
EXTEND file systems if space needed? yes +
Process multiple volumes? yes +

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List

Esc+5=Reset F6=Command F7=Edit F8=Image
F9=Shell F10=Exit Enter=Do

5) Download fixes from IBM to a temporary directory, like /export/aix520/fixes. Unzip

the fixes. Use “smitty bffcreate” to copy fixes from /export/aix520/fixes to
/export/aix_520/installp/ppc. You may need to run “inutoc .” in the /export/aix_520
directory.

6) Update the NIM Server with the latest fixes

smitty update_all  install device = /export/aix_520 
Update Installed Software to Latest Level (Update All)

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.
[Entry Fields]
* INPUT device / directory for software /export/aix_520
* SOFTWARE to update _update_all
PREVIEW only? (update operation will NOT occur) no +
COMMIT software updates? no +
SAVE replaced files? yes +
AUTOMATICALLY install requisite software? yes +
EXTEND file systems if space needed? yes +
VERIFY install and check file sizes? no +
DETAILED output? no +
Process multiple volumes? yes +
ACCEPT new license agreements? yes +
Preview new LICENSE agreements? no +

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List

Esc+5=Reset F6=Command F7=Edit F8=Image
F9=Shell F10=Exit Enter=Do

7) *** Critical Step *** Update the SPOT

smitty nim  Perform NIM administration tasks  Manage Resources 
Perform operations on NIM resources  Select the SPOT from list  Select update_all
from the list 
Customize a SPOT

Type or select values in entry fields.

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Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.
[Entry Fields]
* Resource Name 52spot
Fixes (Keywords) update_all
* Source of Install Images [aix520] +
Expand file systems if space needed? yes +
Force no +

installp Flags
PREVIEW only? (install operation will NOT occur) no +
COMMIT software updates? no +
SAVE replaced files? yes +
AUTOMATICALLY install requisite software? yes +
OVERWRITE same or newer versions? no +
VERIFY install and check file sizes? no +

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List

Esc+5=Reset F6=Command F7=Edit F8=Image
F9=Shell F10=Exit Enter=Do

8) Create bosinst.data for install and migration. The install will be used for mksysb
installs or from scratch installs.
cp /var/adm/ras/bosinst.data /export/nim/bosinst.migrate
cp /var/adm/ras/bosinst.data /export/nim/bosinst.install
Edit the bosinst files
control_flow:
CONSOLE = Default
INSTALL_METHOD = migrate ( or “overwrite” for mksysb installs or new installs)
PROMPT = yes
EXISTING_SYSTEM_OVERWRITE = no (Yes for mksysb or install)
INSTALL_X_IF_ADAPTER = yes
RUN_STARTUP = no (do you want Install Assistant at boot?)
RM_INST_ROOTS = no
ERROR_EXIT =
CUSTOMIZATION_FILE =
TCB = yes (ALWAYS have this as yes)
INSTALL_TYPE =
BUNDLES =
SWITCH_TO_PRODUCT_TAPE =
RECOVER_DEVICES = Default
BOSINST_DEBUG = no
ACCEPT_LICENSES = yes (always have this as yes)
INSTALL_64BIT_KERNEL = yes (default is no. Turn to yes if the machine is 64 bit capable)
INSTALL_CONFIGURATION =
DESKTOP = CDE
INSTALL_DEVICES_AND_UPDATES = yes
IMPORT_USER_VGS = yes
ENABLE_64BIT_KERNEL = yes (default is no, turn to yes if 64 bit capable)
CREATE_JFS2_FS = yes (default is no, turn to yes)
ALL_DEVICES_KERNELS = yes
GRAPHICS_BUNDLE = yes
DOC_SERVICES_BUNDLE = yes
NETSCAPE_BUNDLE = yes
HTTP_SERVER_BUNDLE = no
KERBEROS_5_BUNDLE = no
SERVER_BUNDLE = yes
ALT_DISK_INSTALL_BUNDLE = yes (default is no, you will want this)
REMOVE_JAVA_118 = no

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Define the bosinst.data files as a resource. Do once for each file
Smitty nim  perform NIM administration tasks  Manage resources  define a
resource  select bosinst_data
Define a Resource

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[Entry Fields]
* Resource Name [bosinst_migrate]
* Resource Type bosinst_data
* Server of Resource [master] +
* Location of Resource <t/nim/bosinst.migrate] /
Comments []

Source for Replication [] +

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List

Esc+5=Reset F6=Command F7=Edit F8=Image
F9=Shell F10=Exit Enter=Do

9) Create other network interface resources

Smitty nim  perform NIM administration tasks  manage networks  define a
network  Select network type 
Define a Network

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[Entry Fields]
* Network Name [privateTokenRing]
* Network Type tok
* Network IP Address [10.10.16.0]
* Subnetmask [255.255.255.0]
Default Gateway for this Network [10.10.16.1]
Other Network Type +
Comments []

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List

Esc+5=Reset F6=Command F7=Edit F8=Image
F9=Shell F10=Exit Enter=Do

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10) On Clients, Initialize NIM environment
Install bos.sysmgt.nim.client

Define the system as a NIM client

smitty nim_client  configure Network Installation Manager client fileset 
Configure Network Installation Management Client Fileset

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[TOP] [Entry Fields]

* Machine Name [napoli]
* Primary Network Install Interface [en0] +
* Host Name of Network Install Master [nim-server]

Hardware Platform Type chrp

Kernel to use for Network Boot [up] +
Ethernet Interface Options
Network Speed Setting [] +
Network Duplex Setting [] +
Comments [44P in Margaret’s Office]
Alternate Port Numbers for Network Communications
(reserved values will be used if left blank)
Client Registration [] #
Client Communications [] #
[BOTTOM]

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List

Esc+5=Reset F6=Command F7=Edit F8=Image
F9=Shell F10=Exit Enter=Do

You are now ready to do NIM Tasks.

Other NIM Server Notes

The NIM server must be at the highest level of AIX in the NIM environment.
When fixes are required by a system, the following steps should be taken.
1) Download the fixes to a temporary directory.
2) Use “smitty bffcreate” to add them to the appropriate lppsource
You may need to run “inutoc .” in the directory to recreate the table of contents
file
3) On the NIM Server, do a “smitty update_all” using the lppsource as the installation
device
4) Update the SPOT for the lppsource
5) Update the NIM Client

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