Tool – query LPAR status

Once in a time, a system administrator does a task which requires shut down of a LPAR. If a partition is about to switch off after some other task (for instance after a weekly backup) watching SRC codes, might be hopeless action.

Let me show a simple tool which does this ‘monkey job’.

I built a simple program which run on a different Lpar, and retrieve status of a LPAR from a HMC. When a partition become inactive, the program trigger a message to QSYSOPR, and perform any other action (for instance send a text message if possible).

This solution brings multiple benefits for a system administrator

• save time of a skilled personnel
• no monkey job
• it reacts automatically when a LPAR is off
• the tool can be used for other automation tasks

What do you need to run it?

• ssh keys with IBM i and a HMC which talks to the monitored LPAR
• some software which will notify a system administrator once a triggered messaged appears in QSYSOPR

How does it really work?

1. the program query a HMC for status of monitoring LPAR by command lssyscfg in 60 seconds loops.
2. if status is other than ‘Running’ it sends a message to QSYSOPR and ends the program.

Here is a simplified flowchart