Month: July 2012

Managing the Virtual Media Repository

Virtual media repository is very useful PowerVM feature. Some older IBM i administrators probably remember similar function available in iSeries ages ago. In short way, it allows to share CD/DVD images on a frame/server layer.

I use it very often, because it allows load a SLIC without physical access to a server. Practically you can install an IBM i OS, on completely new POWER server, which doesn’t even have a physical CD/DVD drive.

In this post I’d like to show different methods how to manage the Virtual Media Repository. Continue reading “Managing the Virtual Media Repository” →

cloning i5/OS

Big shops from time to time have a demand to prepare multiple OS installation in very short amount of time. Or maybe you want to offer ‘a cloud’ with IBM i to your clients. We all know that scratch OS installation with patching the system afterwards may take several hours.

I want to describe a concept of cloning IBM i OS. Unfortunately it requires an external storage. (I’m not sure if the same functionality could not be achieved with an internal storage and Shared Storage Pools – waiting for your feedback).

Continue reading “cloning i5/OS” →

Changing WWPN of a virtual fiber adapter

You’ve probably noticed WWPNs are automatically generated by a HMC.  But you might get to the point when you need specific World Wide Port Name. Each HBA must have an unique number.  That’s why IBM didn’t give us a choice, and generates these strings automatically. First few characters (C050760….) define a virtual resource. The rest of the string is unique.  A serial number of a console is used to generate distinctive identifier. The problem is when you do some maintenance work, and you lost your ‘old’ WWPN, or you need to migrate to a different VIOS. In most situation you can reconfigure your SAN infrastructure. But if you need to keep a WWPN, you can explicitly set it from a HMC command line. Continue reading “Changing WWPN of a virtual fiber adapter” →