In this post I explain how date and time management works on an AIX, VIOS, and IBMi LPARs. Setting the time is usually one-time operation, we often take it for granted, as long as everything works well. However, when issues arise, it can become quite puzzling. Information in this post may be particularly useful for those who use Full System Replication or FlashCopy solution.
Continue reading “How Time and Data Management works on IBM PowerSystems”Category: Administration
BRMS killed – The king is dead, long live the king!
The latest announcement about EoM and EoS was the the biggest shock in last couple of years for me. Even myself, I underestimated the message at the begging. I did not realize how impacting this announcement is. Here are few words from me.
Continue reading “BRMS killed – The king is dead, long live the king!”Store Single Sign On configuration on iASP
In solutions where the iASP and Single Sign On (SSO) is configured the challenge is to set the synchronization of the Enterprise Identity Mapping (EIM) between Prod and DR nodes. Such replication is done via Tivoli Directory Server. This mechanism is not easy to set up, difficult to manage and monitoring. Unfortunately this the only solution what IBM provides (officially). In this article I provide the procedure how to simplify it.
I’ve been asked several times – “Is it possible to store SSO configuration on the independent ASP” and forget about Tivoli replication? Yes, it is possible. It simplifies EIM synchronization a lot. Why? – Because only one EIM DB is stored on the iASP. Therefore, if the system fail-over to DR location, exactly the same DB shows up on the other side. Read below how to do it.
Continue reading “Store Single Sign On configuration on iASP”Execute IBMi command within multiple sessions
Recently I was asked how to execute a command typed in 5250 terminal among multiple sessions. For instance, when you need to create a library DEV on three systems, and you are lazy do copy/paste.
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HMC – Enhanced+ interface tricks
One of the most popular posts on my blog are these related to the HMC, functionality and management. Recently I’ve been invited by IBM research/development team to an adviser role in order to help with improvement the interface. Because at the same time, I realized there are multiple things which were already added with the latest Service Packs but I was not aware of them. I decided to write this post and share the tricks which you may not know.
VIOS 3.1 upgrade for everyone
I assume there are many installations which need to go to VIOS 3.1 by October 2020 due to end of support for VIOS 2.x. Because, I did not find any upgrade procedure for “dummies”, I decided to write one which I hope people find useful. I do not cover only the upgrade process itself, but also share some advises how to do it safely and recover in case of troubles. Upgrade Virtual I/O Server to 3.1 is completely different process than before. For instance, you are going to need an extra disk to perform the operation. Interested?
New VIOS releases affect the Shared Ethernet Adapter (SEA) functionality
Long story short – how regular VIOS update ended with few weeks investigations completed with the serious VIOS bug and the APAR (IJ25390). The latest VIO releases contain a serious bug which may affect all VIOS/SEA client LPARs on IBM Power Servers.
Continue reading “New VIOS releases affect the Shared Ethernet Adapter (SEA) functionality”
Enable classic HMC GUI on release V9R1 – locked with HMC fix
How many of you are missing the old classic HMC GUI? Since version V8R8.7.0 we can run only new Enhanced GUI+ interface. Thus, POWER9 machines can be managed only by the Enhanced+ interface, right? In this post you can find a procedure how to start the classic GUI. even on the HMC running latest FW9.1. Continue reading “Enable classic HMC GUI on release V9R1 – locked with HMC fix”
IBMi – Copy the load-source disk FAQ
Process for copying the load source disk is sort of a black box. The copying process is straight forward, but there is no documentation ‘what if’. My assumption is because this is very sensitive operation, IBM does not want us to meddle with the process. I’ve created sort of summary for admins based on my experience ,and research made over hundreds copying processes. I bet you won’t get this information thru any official channel.
IBMi – copy the loadsource to a smaller disk
Me and many other technicians hate the limitation that the only supported way of migrating the Loadsource disk to a smaller LUN is save/restore IBMi OS. With the method described below, I was able to copy the Loadsource to the smaller disk, and it worked. Continue reading “IBMi – copy the loadsource to a smaller disk”
IBMi.org - Bart's blog 