3/12/24, 10:06 PM How to configure a VIOS Media Repository/Virtual Media Library (ex.

AIX Install/Restore)

How to configure a VIOS Media Repository/Virtual Media Library (ex.

AIX Install/Restore)

Question & Answer

Question
What's the procedure to install an AIX base ISO to an AIX parition by using a VIOS media repository? What's the
procedure to create/use/remove a virtual media repository? Can an mksysb ISO be restored through the virtual
media repository?

Cause
This document provides a step by step command-line procedure for using a virtual media repository or Virtual
Media Library (VML) to install/restore an AIX partition.
Applicable to VIOS version 3.1

Answer
PART I. REQUIREMENTS BEFORE PROCEEDING
PART II. PERFORMING NEW AIX INSTALL WITH VML
PART III. PERFORMING MKSYSB RESTORE WITH MKSYSB ISO AND VML

PART I. REQUIREMENTS BEFORE PROCEEDING:

Ensure that the following requirements are met before proceeding:

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1. An existing pair of virtual scsi adapters paired between the VIO server (vhost) and the VIO client (vscsi).
Since the client might not have an OS, the adapter pairing can be verified through the partition profile on
the HMC.

2. A basic understanding of managing VIO virtual optical devices.

3. A basic understanding of the AIX Installation menu and how to install AIX.
Back to top

PART II. PERFORMING NEW AIX INSTALL WITH VML:

Step 1: Obtain AIX base ISO image from ESS and store on the VIO server.

AIX base ISO images can be obtained by contacting Entitled Software Support (ESS) at 1-800-879-2755 option
2, option 2. The representatives are able to verify entitlement and guide customers on how to download the ISO
image. Once the AIX ISO image is downloaded, the image can be stored in the /home/padmin directory of the
VIO server.

Note: By default, /home file system is 10 GB to be used as a temporary place to hold the ISO file. Once the ISO
image is copied into the repository (steps for mkvopt command), the ISO file is removed from /home directory to
release the file system space.

$ ls -al /home/padmin/AIX_iso
total 8687952
drwxr-xr-x 2 padmin staff 256 Apr 13 17:07 .
drwxr-x--- 9 padmin system 4096 Apr 13 17:10 ..
-rw-r--r-- 1 root staff 4448223232 Apr 13 17:08
AIX_6.1_Base_Operating_System_TL_6100-07-00_DVD_1_of_2_102011.iso

Step 2: Create or Modify the media repository

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1. Create the repository in rootvg:

$ mkrep -sp rootvg -size 6G

Virtual Media Repository Created
Repository created within "VMLibrary" logical volume

2. Create the repository in a new VG:

$ mkvg -vg <new volume group name> hdisk#

$ mkrep -sp <repository name> -size 6G

3. Increasing the size of the media repository:

$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
6118 6118 rootvg 139776 26624
$ chrep -size 4G > Adds an additional 4GB to the repository
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 10198 rootvg 139776 22528

NOTE: Increasing the size is the only option. To reduce the size, the repository needs to be removed and re-
created.

Step 3: Create the virtual media disk

$ mkvopt -name <new media disk name> -file <ISO filename> -ro
Example:
$ mkvopt -name base_61_TL7 -file
/home/padmin/AIX_iso/AIX_6.1_Base_Operating_System_TL_6100-07-

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00_DVD_1_of_2_102011.iso -ro
NOTE: This command can take a few minutes to complete.

Step 4: Verify that the virtual media disk is part of the repository
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528
Name File Size Optical Access
base_61_TL7 4243 None ro

Step 5: Create the file backed optical device and map it to a vhost:
~ Shown without the vtopt device ~
$ lsmap -vadapter vhost0
SVSA Physloc Client Partition ID
--------------- ---------------------------- -------------------
vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002

VTD L1_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
Backing device lpar1_lv
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

Create the vtopt device.

$ mkvdev -fbo -vadapter vhost0
vtopt0 Available

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~ Shown with the vtopt device ~

$ lsmap -vadapter vhost0
SVSA Physloc Client Partition ID
--------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002

VTD L1_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
Backing device lpar1_lv
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

VTD vtopt0
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

NOTE: More vtopt devices can be created and mapped to other vhosts. Therefore, each vtopt device appears
as a virtual CD_ROM device on the clients' side. Furthermore, the same virtual media disk (base_61_TL7 in this
example) can be simultaneously loaded (in Step 6) onto more than one virtual optical (vopt) device that allows
the same virtual media disk (ISO image) to be used to install more than one AIX client at the same time.

Step 6: Load the virtual media disk on the vtopt device:

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$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528

Name File Size Optical Access

base_61_TL7 4243 None ro

$ loadopt -vtd vtopt0 -disk base_61_TL7

$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528

Name File Size Optical Access

base_61_TL7 4243 vtopt0 ro

Verify that the vtopt# backing device is the virtual media disk location.
$lsmap -vadapter vhost0
...
VTD vtopt0
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device /var/vio/VMLibrary/base_61_TL7
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

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If the VIOS does not own a vhost mapped to the intended logical partition, this procedure can be shown by
running the lsmap -all command and no output is shown.

$ lsmap -all

Step 7: Create and load the virtual media disk by using the HMC GUI.

1. Log in to the HMC GUI and open the logical partition needed to add the virtual optical device and navigate to
"Virtual Storage":

2. Navigate to the "Virtual Optical Device" Tab, then click the "Add Virtual Optical Device" button:

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3. Enter the name of the Device name and choose the VIOS that has the Virtual Media Repository and the
virtual media disk:

NOTE: You can click "Edit Connections" to specify the adapter ID for the VIOS and the client logical partition. By
default, the HMC would assign the next available adapter ID. Moreover, make sure that the device name added
is a unique name.

4. To load the virtual media onto the virtual optical device, choose the created virtual optical device and click
"Action" then "load":

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5. Choose the created virtual media, and click "Ok":

6. The virtual media is now successfully added to the virtual optical device.

Step 8: Boot the client partition from the virtual optical device:

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A) Activate the AIX Partition to the SMS menu

B) Select the virtual optical device (CD-ROM)

SMS 1.7 (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2008 All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Menu
1. Select Language
2. Setup Remote IPL (Initial Program Load)
3. Change SCSI Settings
4. Select Console
5. Select Boot Options <<<

Multiboot
1. Select Install/Boot Device <<<
2. Configure Boot Device Order
3. Multiboot Startup <OFF>

Select Device Type

1. Diskette
2. Tape
3. CD/DVD
4. IDE
5. Hard Drive
6. Network
7. List all Devices <<<

Select Device
Device Current Device

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Number Position Name

1. - Interpartition Logical LAN
( loc=U9117.MMA.10708D0-V2-C3-T1 )
2. - SCSI CD-ROM
( loc=U9117.MMA.10708D0-V2-C2-T1-L8200000000000000 ) <<<

NOTE: The location code lun ID L8200000000000000 must match the LUN ID of the vtopt mapped to the vhost:

$lsmap -vadapter vhost0

...
VTD vtopt0
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device /var/vio/VMLibrary/base_61_TL7
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

SCSI CD-ROM
( loc=U9117.MMA.10708D0-V2-C2-T1-L8200000000000000 )

1. Information
2. Normal Mode Boot <<<
3. Service Mode Boot

Are you sure you want to exit System Management Services?

1. Yes <<<
2. No

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Upon exiting SMS, the AIX partition boots up from the virtual optical device to the AIX Installation menus.

Step 9: Install the AIX operating system.

Step 10: Unloading the virtual media disk:

$ unloadopt -vtd vtopt0

Step 11: Removing the VM Library

A.) Unmap the vtopt# VTDs from the vhosts

$ rmvdev -vtd <VTDname>

B.) Remove the virtual media disks from the Virtual Media Repository:
$ rmvopt -name <name of virtual optical disk>

C.) Remove the repository:

$ rmrep [-f]

Back to top

PART III: PERFORMING MKSYSB RESTORE WITH MKSYSB ISO AND VML:

Step 1: Check the remaining space of the repository and the size of the mksysb ISO file (in this example, it is
cd_image_6357164):

$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 5955 rootvg 139776 22528

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Name File Size Optical Access

base_61_TL7 4243 None ro

# ls -al
total 38609016
...
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 3120545792 Apr 25 19:01 cd_image_6357164
...

Step 2: Create the virtual media disk out of the mksysb ISO and add to the repository:

Note: The file must be a bootable, mksysb ISO file. Before engaging this step, ensure that the file is created as
noted at Creating ISO image from an mksysb backup file (http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1024466).
$ mkvopt -name lpar1_sysb -file /home/padmin/mount/cd_image_6357164 -ro

Step 3: Verify the new virtual media disk in the repository:

$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 2979 rootvg 139776 22528

Name File Size Optical Access

base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
lpar1_sysb 2976 None ro

Step 4: As it was done in Part II Step 6, load the new mksysb virtual media disk to the available virtual optical
device mapped to the vhost:

$ lsmap -vadapter vhost0

SVSA Physloc Client Partition ID
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--------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------

vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002

VTD L1_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
Backing device lpar1_lv
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

VTD vtopt0
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device <== Available to add backing device
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

Verify that the virtual media disk is assigned as the backing device:
$ lsmap -vadapter vhost0
SVSA Physloc Client Partition ID
--------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------
vhost0 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C11 0x00000002

VTD L1_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
Backing device lpar1_lv

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Physloc
Mirrored N/A

VTD vtopt0
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device /var/vio/VMLibrary/lpar1_sysb
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

Follow Step 6 and Step 7 to boot the client LPAR and restore from the virtual media disk.

Step 5: Restoring an mksysb with multiple volumes

Locate the directory with your multiple ISO images.

NOTE: Ensure that the volume order (vol1, vol2, etc) is identifiable to reduce the probability of corrupting the
restore.

$ ls -al /home/padmin/mount/*lpar2*
total 6139912
drwxr-xr-x 2 root system 256 Apr 26 07:21 .
drwxr-xr-x 5 root system 4096 Apr 25 22:28 ..
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 674078720 Apr 26 00:24 cd_image_3014874.vol1
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 676304896 Apr 26 02:20 cd_image_3014874.vol2
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 676304896 Apr 26 04:10 cd_image_3014874.vol3
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 676304896 Apr 26 05:56 cd_image_3014874.vol4
-rw-r--r-- 1 root system 440211456 Apr 26 07:21 cd_image_3014874.vol5

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(Total Sum of ISO file sizes = 3143204864 or 3.143 G)

Ensure that the repository has enough space:

$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
10198 2979 rootvg 139776 22528

Name File Size Optical Access

base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
lpar1_sysb 2976 vtopt0 ro

The repository needs more space. Increase the size of the repository.
$ chrep -size 2G

Check the space available.

$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
12238 5019 rootvg 139776 20480

Name File Size Optical Access

base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
lpar1_sysb 2976 vtopt0 ro

Now, create the virtual media disks out of each volume.

Volume1

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$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol1 -file /home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_backup/cd_image_3014874.vol1

Volume2
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol2 -file /home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_backup/cd_image_3014874.vol2

Volume3
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol3 -file /home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_backup/cd_image_3014874.vol3

Volum4
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol4 -file /home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_backup/cd_image_3014874.vol4

Volume5
$ mkvopt -name lpar2_sysb_vol5 -file /home/padmin/mount/vioc_lpar2_backup/cd_image_3014874.vol5

Verify that all of the volumes were made into a virtual disk:
$ lsrep
Size(mb) Free(mb) Parent Pool Parent Size Parent Free
12239 2022 rootvg 139776 20480

Name File Size Optical Access

base_61_TL7 4243 None ro
lpar1_sysb 2976 vtopt0 ro
lpar2_sysb_vol1 643 None rw
lpar2_sysb_vol2 645 None rw
lpar2_sysb_vol3 645 None rw
lpar2_sysb_vol4 645 None rw
lpar2_sysb_vol5 420 None rw

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Check that a vtopt are mapped to the appropriate vhost serving the client and that the backing device is
available:
$ lsmap -vadapter vhost1
SVSA Physloc Client Partition ID
--------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------
vhost1 U9117.MMA.10708D0-V1-C12 0x00000003

VTD L2_rootvg
Status Available
LUN 0x8100000000000000
Backing device lpar2_lv
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

VTD vtopt1
Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device <== Available for a virtual media disk from repository
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

Load volume 1 of the virtual media disks to the virtual optical device:
$ loadopt -vtd vtopt1 -disk lpar2_sysb_vol1

Verify it the virtual media disk is assigned as the backing device:

$ lsmap -vadapter vhost1
...
VTD vtopt1

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Status Available
LUN 0x8200000000000000
Backing device /var/vio/VMLibrary/lpar2_sysb_vol1
Physloc
Mirrored N/A

Boot the client from the virtual optical device and begin the installation with virtual media disk volume 1 (Follow
Part II Steps 7 and 8)

When prompted for volume 2 (and every additional volume) "Remove volume 1, insert volume 2, and press the
ENTER key.", on the VIOS we'll need to unload the current volume and load the next volume:

Example:
$ unloadopt -vtd vtopt1
$ set -o vi
$ loadopt -vtd vtopt1 -disk lpar2_sysb_vol2

Back on the client installation, strike ENTER/RETURN to begin reading from the second volume and
continue the installation.

Continue the process of unloading and loading the virtual media disk volumes in order as the client asks
for them until the restore is completed.

Related Information
How to create/modify virtual optical media using the HMC
(https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9080-HEX?topic=hmc-changing-optical-devices)

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IBM i Removable Media: Optical devices (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-removable-media-optical-devices#OPTVRT)

Installing Linux on PowerVM LPAR by using virtual DVD (vDVD)

(https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/linux-on-systems?topic=aim-installing-linux-powervm-lpar-by-using-virtual-dvd-vdvd)

Document Information
More support for:
PowerVM Virtual I/O Server (https://www.ibm.com/mysupport/s/topic/0TO50000000QW2PGAW)

Component:
PowerVM VIOS->Virtual SCSI (VSCSI)->Virtual Media Repository (VML)

Software version:
All Versions

Document number:
720539

Modified date:
31 July 2023

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