Virtual SCSI Mapping Through HMC rather than "mkvdev" CLI

This post shows an easy wat to perform mapping of disk between the Virutal Server and Virtal Client though Hardware Management Console. Rather than CLI using "mkvdev".

Disadvantage of thie method. Only directy mapping of the disk could be made rather than mapping a logical volume or a filesystem are not supported in this method. In those case we need to go back "mkvdev" mode for the mapping.

So we assume that a disk has been mapped the VIO_Server from the SAN Side.

Login into HMC-->System Management-->Server(Managed System to which the VIO_Server and VIO_Client Belongs to)-->Configuration-->Virtual Resources-->Virtual Storage Management.

This opens a windows like below.

In the window, on the left hand top corner you would find a drop down called "VIOS". Select the appropriate VIO_Server. This would list all the physical volumes available on the VIO_Server. To begin with the mapping. Select the disk that you would like to assign and click on "Modify Assignment" on the left hand bottom corner.

This the next window that will open upon selecting "Modify Assignment". Select the appropritate "Virtual SCSI Server Adapter" (vhost#) and click "OK".

Now the mapping is done.

Cloning rootvg to external disk_AIX_ : Mapping to VIO_Client: Part III

VIO_Server

$ lsdev -virtual or $ lsdev | grep "vhost*" or $ lsdev -type adapter : List all the virtual adapters on the VIO_Server.

$ lsmap -vadapter vhost* : Show the mapping of the Virtual SCSI Server Adapter.

$ lspv : Command to list the Physical Volumes.

$ mkvdev -vdev hdisk# -vadapter vhost# : Command to provide mapping between the virtual SCSI Server and Client Adapter.

$ lsmap -vadapter vhost : Command to verify the mapping has been done or not.

VIO_Client:

Now boot the disk through SMS Mode from HMC. Which would boot the client from the "cloned" disk. Upon successful installation of the Operating System. Login into the client.

# lspv : List all the physical volume.

Cloning rootvg to external disk_AIX_ : Mapping to VIO_Client: Part II

Now inform the storage team to map the concerned LUN to the VIO_Server by providing the WWN of the HBA attached to the VIO_Server. Once it is done.

Login into the VIO_Server as "padmin".

$ cfgmgr : Configuration Manager.

$ lspv : List the Physical volumes in the VIO_Server.

$ chkdev -dev hdisk# -verbose : Command to get the PVID, IEEE ID, Unique ID of the disk and VIO_Attributes.

Now check the "unique_id" of the disk which we made a note earlier and compare it with the "unique id" displayed in the above command. If the "unique id" matches then the proper "LUN" is mapped else need to check with the storage team to map the correct LUN.

Next step would be create a Virtual_SCSI_Server_Adapter on VIO_Server and Virtual_SCSI_Clinet Adpater on the VIO_Client.

This has been explained in my previous posts.

Login into HMC--> System Management-->Server-->Select the VIO_Server-->Configuration--> Manage Profile-->Actions-->Create-->Virtual SCSI Adpater.

Make a note of Adapter ID and ensure VIO_Server_Adapter in mapped to the correct VIO_Client.

Follow the same process at the VIO_Client end as well.

Mapping between VIO_Server and VIO_SCSI...Part III

Cloning rootvg to external disk_AIX_ : Mapping to VIO_Client: Part I

The method which we are going to discuss is "rootvg" is cloned on a LUN. Now the LUN is mapped to a VIO_Server which is then presented to a VIO_Client.

Rootvg Cloning:

# lspv : Command to list the physical volumes in the box.

# bootinfo -b : Command to find the boot disk.

# bootinfo -s hdisk# : Command to find the size of the disk.

Now select an empty of same size of the boot disk for cloning. Make sure the physical volume selected has "uniquq id"

# lsattr -EHl hdisk# | grep -i "unique" : Command to view the unique id of the disk and make a note of id.

# alt_disk_copy -d hdisk# : Command to create OS cloning.

# lsvg : Command to view all the volume groups.

The name of the clonend volume group "alt_inst_rootvg".

The bootlist is automatically updated upon successfull cloning of the rootvg. Which puts "alt_inst_rootvg" as primary bootvolume and the other one as secoundary volume group.

Now we go ahead in removing the cloned rootvg disk (SAN) volume from the server.

# rmdev -dl hdisk# : Command to remove the cloned rootvg disk from the server.

# bootlist -m both -o hdisk# : Make sure the bootlist is updated properly. So that the machine boots from the "rootvg" rather then cloned. Since the cloned one is removed from the disk.

If the rmdev command shows an error. We can remove the cloned by disabling.

# alt_rootvg_op -S -t hdisk3 : Command to disable the cloned rootvg.

Now the cloning part is completed. Next We move to VIO_Server side configuration......Part II