Hi all,

I ran into some trouble with installing i. I created a vios IBM i lpar, assigned a guest lv, assigned a nic and assigned a virtual optical drive which contains I_BASE_01_Licensed_Machine_Code_RS_740-P_LCD8_2553_12.udf. Afterwards installing LIC worked fine. However, after booting that I'm supposed to install the actual os. So I switched the virtual optical drive to B_GROUP1_01_IBM_i_RS_740-00_LCD8_2554_00.udf and booted the lpar in IPL mode A and keylock set to manual. That also booted fine.
The troubles started when i wanted to install B_GROUP1_01. In the menu when asked, I used "optical" as the source and then the IPL progress started. However, it was stuck for several minutes at "searching optical media" at the bottom of the IPL screen and afterwards I got the "insert next medium" screen. If I'm not mistaken, the installation with setting the date and some other things should actually show up at that point and then the installation is supposed to start with a progress display and such.

So, am I doing something wrong there? Or is that how it's supposed to go?

Thanks in advace for any insight!

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

I think your problem is using the term "i wanted to install B_GROUP1_01".  No you don't.  You want to install LIC, then OS, then ...

After you install LIC as per

and you get to this:  https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5?topic=partition-installing-licensed-internal-code-new-logical

22 - After approximately 10 minutes, the IPL or Install the System display appears. The Licensed Internal Code is now installed. Do not remove the distribution media at this time.

Pay attention to that last sentence:  "Do not remove the distribution media at this time."  What they mean is leave the I_BASE in there.

When you finish that section and advance to https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5?topic=installed-installing-i-new-system-logical-partition#newnos you still have I_BASE in there.

Now, in this next section, 

9 - If you are using physical media, load the first volume of installation media that contains the operating system. 

May be a little confusing.  Is it I_BASE or is it the first B media?  If this is where you're crapping out and you are trying the B then leave the I in there and see if it starts on that and then asks you for the next volume.

------------------------------
Robert Berendt IBMChampion
------------------------------

Much thanks for the reply! Here is what I've done step by step:

I started the LPAR and after a while I got the language prompt. I used the default 2924. In the following menu I chose 1 "Install Licensed Internal Code".
After that was done it rebooted by itself to IPL mode A with key lock position still set to manual. Once booted I got the "IPL or install the system" menu with 5 options. I used option 2 "Install the operating system" and still had I_BASE in the virtual drive. Up next was the device selection. I used option 2 "Optical". Confirmed the language and confirmed that I want to install and then I got the IPL startup screen. After just a few seconds I got the message screen CPA2055: "The end of the volume has been reached". That's when I switched the virtual optical drive to B_GROUP1_01 and hit enter. I got a brief X SYSTEM at the bottom of the terminal but the screen didn't change. And that's as far as I got. Putting B_GROUP1_02 and B_GROUP1_03 images into the virtual optical drive and hitting enter again made no difference. I'm pretty much stuck at that message screen.
For what it's worth, the virtual drive is recognized because if I unload it I get the message that the drive is empty after hitting enter.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Hi, 

Maybe you can check if you have more than one OPTxx device and with WRKOPTVOL you will see if it contains something ...

I am rather curious:  Can one do a WRKOPTVOL?  Can one do a sysreq-6 which is basically DSPMSG QSYSOPR?  Before the OS is installed?  I wouldn't think so.

Satid has a good point though about delaying.

------------------------------
Robert Berendt IBMChampion
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 20, 2024 02:29 AM
From: Fernando Plaza
Subject: i installation troubles

Hi, 

Maybe you can check if you have more than one OPTxx device and with WRKOPTVOL you will see if it contains something ...

------------------------------
Fernando Plaza
IBM i System Administrator
CD INVEST
MADRID
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Mon August 19, 2024 09:01 PM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

Much thanks for the reply! Here is what I've done step by step:

I started the LPAR and after a while I got the language prompt. I used the default 2924. In the following menu I chose 1 "Install Licensed Internal Code".
After that was done it rebooted by itself to IPL mode A with key lock position still set to manual. Once booted I got the "IPL or install the system" menu with 5 options. I used option 2 "Install the operating system" and still had I_BASE in the virtual drive. Up next was the device selection. I used option 2 "Optical". Confirmed the language and confirmed that I want to install and then I got the IPL startup screen. After just a few seconds I got the message screen CPA2055: "The end of the volume has been reached". That's when I switched the virtual optical drive to B_GROUP1_01 and hit enter. I got a brief X SYSTEM at the bottom of the terminal but the screen didn't change. And that's as far as I got. Putting B_GROUP1_02 and B_GROUP1_03 images into the virtual optical drive and hitting enter again made no difference. I'm pretty much stuck at that message screen.
For what it's worth, the virtual drive is recognized because if I unload it I get the message that the drive is empty after hitting enter.

------------------------------
jack smith

Hi Rob, two months ago a customer has called me witha very similar issue ...

Fernando,

I have no doubt that your customer experienced such an issue.  I am just curious as to how one does a WRKOPTVOL prior to the OS being installed.

------------------------------
Robert Berendt IBMChampion
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 20, 2024 07:21 AM
From: Fernando Plaza
Subject: i installation troubles

Hi Rob, two months ago a customer has called me witha very similar issue ...

------------------------------
Fernando Plaza
IBM i System Administrator
CD INVEST
MADRID
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 20, 2024 07:16 AM
From: Robert Berendt
Subject: i installation troubles

I am rather curious:  Can one do a WRKOPTVOL?  Can one do a sysreq-6 which is basically DSPMSG QSYSOPR?  Before the OS is installed?  I wouldn't think so.

Satid has a good point though about delaying.

------------------------------
Robert Berendt IBMChampion


Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 20, 2024 02:29 AM
From: Fernando Plaza
Subject: i installation troubles

Hi, 

Maybe you can check if you have more than one OPTxx device and with WRKOPTVOL you will see if it contains something ...

------------------------------
Fernando Plaza
IBM i System Administrator
CD INVEST
MADRID


Original Message:
Sent: Mon August 19, 2024 09:01 PM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

Much thanks for the reply! Here is what I've done step by step:

I started the LPAR and after a while I got the language prompt. I used the default 2924. In the following menu I chose 1 "Install Licensed Internal Code".
After that was done it rebooted by itself to IPL mode A with key lock position still set to manual. Once booted I got the "IPL or install the system" menu with 5 options. I used option 2 "Install the operating system" and still had I_BASE in the virtual drive. Up next was the device selection. I used option 2 "Optical". Confirmed the language and confirmed that I want to install and then I got the IPL startup screen. After just a few seconds I got the message screen CPA2055: "The end of the volume has been reached". That's when I switched the virtual optical drive to B_GROUP1_01 and hit enter. I got a brief X SYSTEM at the bottom of the terminal but the screen didn't change. And that's as far as I got. Putting B_GROUP1_02 and B_GROUP1_03 images into the virtual optical drive and hitting enter again made no difference. I'm pretty much stuck at that message screen.
For what it's worth, the virtual drive is recognized because if I unload it I get the message that the drive is empty after hitting enter.

------------------------------
jack smith

Fernando,

I have experienced similar issues.  Much easier to do WRKOPTVOL and stuff when trying this during an OS upgrade, PTF install, etc as opposed to a new OS install.

What often happens is that the physical CD is still in a drive someplace and that got virtualized, in addition to the setup Jack is trying, and then it cannot load the volume because of a duplicate volume name.  I also see this on a hosting IBM i lpar when I also copied the virtual optical to a guesting lpar and, wham, duplicate volume name.

------------------------------
Robert Berendt IBMChampion
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 20, 2024 07:41 AM
From: Robert Berendt
Subject: i installation troubles

Fernando,

I have no doubt that your customer experienced such an issue.  I am just curious as to how one does a WRKOPTVOL prior to the OS being installed.

------------------------------
Robert Berendt IBMChampion
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 20, 2024 07:21 AM
From: Fernando Plaza
Subject: i installation troubles

Hi Rob, two months ago a customer has called me witha very similar issue ...

------------------------------
Fernando Plaza
IBM i System Administrator
CD INVEST
MADRID


Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 20, 2024 07:16 AM
From: Robert Berendt
Subject: i installation troubles

I am rather curious:  Can one do a WRKOPTVOL?  Can one do a sysreq-6 which is basically DSPMSG QSYSOPR?  Before the OS is installed?  I wouldn't think so.

Satid has a good point though about delaying.

------------------------------
Robert Berendt IBMChampion


Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 20, 2024 02:29 AM
From: Fernando Plaza
Subject: i installation troubles

Hi, 

Maybe you can check if you have more than one OPTxx device and with WRKOPTVOL you will see if it contains something ...

------------------------------
Fernando Plaza
IBM i System Administrator
CD INVEST
MADRID


Original Message:
Sent: Mon August 19, 2024 09:01 PM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

Much thanks for the reply! Here is what I've done step by step:

I started the LPAR and after a while I got the language prompt. I used the default 2924. In the following menu I chose 1 "Install Licensed Internal Code".
After that was done it rebooted by itself to IPL mode A with key lock position still set to manual. Once booted I got the "IPL or install the system" menu with 5 options. I used option 2 "Install the operating system" and still had I_BASE in the virtual drive. Up next was the device selection. I used option 2 "Optical". Confirmed the language and confirmed that I want to install and then I got the IPL startup screen. After just a few seconds I got the message screen CPA2055: "The end of the volume has been reached". That's when I switched the virtual optical drive to B_GROUP1_01 and hit enter. I got a brief X SYSTEM at the bottom of the terminal but the screen didn't change. And that's as far as I got. Putting B_GROUP1_02 and B_GROUP1_03 images into the virtual optical drive and hitting enter again made no difference. I'm pretty much stuck at that message screen.
For what it's worth, the virtual drive is recognized because if I unload it I get the message that the drive is empty after hitting enter.

------------------------------
jack smith

In the case I talk, the customer had several OPTxx devices creates

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/steps-slip-install-licensed-internal-code

Dear Jack 

Exactly HOW did you change the optical volume to B_GROUP1_01?  From HMC?  If so, you should wait for about 10 seconds before answering IBM i message and hit enter key to continue the process. From my past experience, there is always a delay such that if you answer IBM i message and hit enter too fast, IBM i cannot yet see the new volume. (This may have to do with VIOS performance and vSCSI protocol simulation in VIOS codes.)  If you do hit enter too fast, you need to press SYSREQ from 5250 console session and go to QSYSOPR message queue and respond to IBM i message once more to continue the process.

There is a guiding video on Youtube here: VIOS Virtual Media Repository at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyJ3_n3VYNE      

------------------------------
Satid S
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Mon August 19, 2024 09:01 PM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

Much thanks for the reply! Here is what I've done step by step:

I started the LPAR and after a while I got the language prompt. I used the default 2924. In the following menu I chose 1 "Install Licensed Internal Code".
After that was done it rebooted by itself to IPL mode A with key lock position still set to manual. Once booted I got the "IPL or install the system" menu with 5 options. I used option 2 "Install the operating system" and still had I_BASE in the virtual drive. Up next was the device selection. I used option 2 "Optical". Confirmed the language and confirmed that I want to install and then I got the IPL startup screen. After just a few seconds I got the message screen CPA2055: "The end of the volume has been reached". That's when I switched the virtual optical drive to B_GROUP1_01 and hit enter. I got a brief X SYSTEM at the bottom of the terminal but the screen didn't change. And that's as far as I got. Putting B_GROUP1_02 and B_GROUP1_03 images into the virtual optical drive and hitting enter again made no difference. I'm pretty much stuck at that message screen.
For what it's worth, the virtual drive is recognized because if I unload it I get the message that the drive is empty after hitting enter.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Thanks again for all the replies!

I changed the contents of the virtual optical drive from vios via: loadopt -f -vtd vtopt0 -disk name_of_the_file
And no, I only have one virtual optical drive.

I also tried using a usb thumb drive because I read another thread where it has been said that it's possible to put all B_GROUP files on the usb after initializing it via Utility_for_bootable_Licensed_Machine_Code_USB. The result however was the same i.e. installing IPL worked fine but no luck afterwards.

And just to be on the safe side I further mounted B_GROUP1_01 manually in case it's broken but it mounted fine and the contents looked fine as far as I can tell.

BTW I've been following this guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mITiqL2OIGQ

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 8/20/2024 10:10:00 AM
From: jack smith
Subject: RE: i installation troubles

Thanks again for all the replies!

I changed the contents of the virtual optical drive from vios via: loadopt -f -vtd vtopt0 -disk name_of_the_file
And no, I only have one virtual optical drive.

I also tried using a usb thumb drive because I read another thread where it has been said that it's possible to put all B_GROUP files on the usb after initializing it via Utility_for_bootable_Licensed_Machine_Code_USB. The result however was the same i.e. installing IPL worked fine but no luck afterwards.

And just to be on the safe side I further mounted B_GROUP1_01 manually in case it's broken but it mounted fine and the contents looked fine as far as I can tell.

BTW I've been following this guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mITiqL2OIGQ

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Dear Jack and Roman

I agree with Roman that there is a possibility that the downloaded image file of  B_GROUP1_01 is corrupted. Roman's post reminds me that in my past experience, I also encountered several occasions with corrupted downloaded file (SW install image, PTFs, and IBM i save files). There is no convenient way to know from Windows command line FTP session that the download is corrupted. After finding that the downloaded files do not work for the operations I use with the files (even IBM i would not recognize the file is corrupted), re-downloading the file at issue again solves the problem and I recommend you try the same.   

This corrupt FTP issue did not happen too many times which made the cases frustrating because it took some time for me to realize the possibility of corrupted download. :- (    This is the reason why many web sites provide a hash value of each downloadable file so that people who download the file can check the download integrity.  Unfortunately, IBM web site does not provide this.

------------------------------
Satid S
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 20, 2024 08:18 PM
From: Roman Chloupek
Subject: i installation troubles

Hello Jack,

Here are some more troubleshooting tips for you:

[1]  Is your ISO file readable, not corrupted, and correct? You could manually mount the ISO file as a drive on your Windows (or Linux) computer and manually try reading from it -- oh, I see you already tried this :-)

[2]  Are you sure your IBM i POWER hardware model and feature is on the compatibility list of your IBM i v7.4 you are trying to install?

[3]  Are you sure your IBM i POWER hardware's FSP (Flexible Service Processor) firmware is at or above the minimum firmware level required for your IBM i v7.4 install?

[4]  Does your IBM i LPAR you are trying to install have the minimum RAM required for v7.4?

[5]  When your install process hangs, what is the SRC code displayed?

HTH,

Roman

Original Message:
Sent: 8/20/2024 10:10:00 AM
From: jack smith
Subject: RE: i installation troubles

Thanks again for all the replies!

I changed the contents of the virtual optical drive from vios via: loadopt -f -vtd vtopt0 -disk name_of_the_file
And no, I only have one virtual optical drive.

I also tried using a usb thumb drive because I read another thread where it has been said that it's possible to put all B_GROUP files on the usb after initializing it via Utility_for_bootable_Licensed_Machine_Code_USB. The result however was the same i.e. installing IPL worked fine but no luck afterwards.

And just to be on the safe side I further mounted B_GROUP1_01 manually in case it's broken but it mounted fine and the contents looked fine as far as I can tell.

BTW I've been following this guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mITiqL2OIGQ

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

--- moved to the end of the thread ---

> Are you sure your IBM i POWER hardware model and feature is on the compatibility list of your IBM i v7.4 you are trying to install?
It's an s822. That's why i picked 7.4 and not 7.5. The lv's size is fine (wouldn't be recognized otherwise) and I have assigned 3x the recommended ram. As to the firmware level, I'm not sure. I didn't see that mentioned anywhere but I have PowerVM Enterprise so i is definitely supported.

> When your install process hangs, what is the SRC code displayed?
It doesn't hang, it just doesn't take the udfs from the virtual drive.

> There is no convenient way to know from Windows command line FTP session that the download is corrupted.
I don't use windows and as mentioned, I mounted and inspected the file in question already. And to be really sure I tried to install 7.3 which ended up the exact same way.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 8/20/2024 9:45:00 PM
From: jack smith
Subject: RE: i installation troubles

> Are you sure your IBM i POWER hardware model and feature is on the compatibility list of your IBM i v7.4 you are trying to install?
It's an s822. That's why i picked 7.4 and not 7.5. The lv's size is fine (wouldn't be recognized otherwise) and I have assigned 3x the recommended ram. As to the firmware level, I'm not sure. I didn't see that mentioned anywhere but I have PowerVM Enterprise so i is definitely supported.

> When your install process hangs, what is the SRC code displayed?
It doesn't hang, it just doesn't take the udfs from the virtual drive.

> There is no convenient way to know from Windows command line FTP session that the download is corrupted.
I don't use windows and as mentioned, I mounted and inspected the file in question already. And to be really sure I tried to install 7.3 which ended up the exact same way.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Thanks for the link! My firmware is much higher than the required one. And I didn't post the SRC code because I didn't have access to the machine previously. Now I do again but there's no SRC code anywhere.
And this time it was sitting at "Searching optical for install media" for several minutes before it got to the message screen. During that time X SYSTEM was always on and there was no disk activity. So it rather seemed like an i/o or connection issue. Like it was stuck at actually getting to the device.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Dear Jack

>>>> I changed the contents of the virtual optical drive from vios via: loadopt -f -vtd vtopt0 -disk name_of_the_file  <<<<

I look into a an article about this ( https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/how-configure-vios-media-repositoryvirtual-media-library-ex-aix-installrestore ) and I notice that before changing to a new virtual optical media volume, you need to run these 2 commands :

$ unloadopt -vtd vtopt0
$ set -o vi

Then you load the new file of the next virtual media volume:

$ loadopt -vtd vtopt0 -disk <file_name>

I notice there is no -f option used in the sample. 

Could you follow this to see if it helps or not?  If not, please try changing the virtual media volume with HMC GUI instead:  Adding Virtual Media to VIOS Media Library via HMC at  https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/adding-virtual-media-vios-media-library-hmc      

------------------------------
Satid S
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 20, 2024 11:41 PM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

Thanks for the link! My firmware is much higher than the required one. And I didn't post the SRC code because I didn't have access to the machine previously. Now I do again but there's no SRC code anywhere.
And this time it was sitting at "Searching optical for install media" for several minutes before it got to the message screen. During that time X SYSTEM was always on and there was no disk activity. So it rather seemed like an i/o or connection issue. Like it was stuck at actually getting to the device.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Unfortunately that makes no difference. I started the LPAR with B_GROUP1_01 in the drive already last time so there was no change at all and it made no difference.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Dear Jack

Can you confirm from HMC that your server's MTM = 8284-22A ?  A screen capture would be appreciated.

Have you set IBM i Alternate Install Device to the virtual optical device yet? If not, please try it with this steps:

From the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) menu, perform the following tasks:

    Select option 5 (Work with DST environment).
    Select option 2 (System devices) on the Work with DST Environment display.
    Select option 5 (Alternate installation device) on the Work with System Devices display.
    Select your device type on the Select Media Type display.

One point I find this strange is that you successfully install IBM i Licensed Internal Code from the install image but had this problem with the first media volume of OS.  This fact should mean that your VIOS virtual optical device should be fine and the image file of the first OS volume should not. From which URL did you download the install image files?  Can you go there again and capture the screen that shows the list of install image files that you download?

------------------------------
Satid S
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Wed August 21, 2024 10:59 AM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

Unfortunately that makes no difference. I started the LPAR with B_GROUP1_01 in the drive already last time so there was no change at all and it made no difference.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

These communities are great but don't forget that you can open a case with IBM on this.  Especially since you are running newer hardware and a newer version of the OS.

At IBM's case site I just tallied up the # of cases shown.  For me 393 with one open.  For the entire company 455.  I'm not sure how far that goes back.  Granted some are as simple as SNDSRVRQS *TEST

I've had 14 which took over 100 days to solve and the open one is way out in the front at 253 days open.

------------------------------
Robert Berendt IBMChampion
------------------------------

> Can you confirm from HMC that your server's MTM = 8284-22A ?
Definitely because I handled that server myself.

> Have you set IBM i Alternate Install Device to the virtual optical device yet?
Yes, I did.

> One point I find this strange is that you successfully install IBM i Licensed Internal Code from the install image but had this problem with the first media volume of OS.
Exactly my point.

> From which URL did you download the install image files?
The 7.4 release I used/tried is the 7.4 try & buy version from the ESS page.

> These communities are great but don't forget that you can open a case with IBM on this.
Not sure I can. I have no i license but just wanted to see it out of curiosity. Hence I used the mentioned try & buy version.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Ok, I think we're getting somewhere.  I do not believe that model supports running IBM i directly.  There's something about running it under VIOS.

------------------------------
Robert Berendt IBMChampion
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Thu August 22, 2024 03:15 PM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

> Can you confirm from HMC that your server's MTM = 8284-22A ?
Definitely because I handled that server myself.

> Have you set IBM i Alternate Install Device to the virtual optical device yet?
Yes, I did.

> One point I find this strange is that you successfully install IBM i Licensed Internal Code from the install image but had this problem with the first media volume of OS.
Exactly my point.

> From which URL did you download the install image files?
The 7.4 release I used/tried is the 7.4 try & buy version from the ESS page.

> These communities are great but don't forget that you can open a case with IBM on this.
Not sure I can. I have no i license but just wanted to see it out of curiosity. Hence I used the mentioned try & buy version.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Dear Jack

I remember you said you did not download the install images from Windows client but I just went to IBM ESS web site's IBM i Evaluation and NLV Download section and found that there were the same 2 ways to do the download as I have know them to be all these years, which are HTTP or IBM Download Director tool and I have always use the latter without any problem.  I have a faint memory that Download Director can enure the integrity of the download.   Since I suspect you may have a corrupted image of at least the first IBM i volume, I suggest you use IBM Download Director tool to download the images.     You also need first to download and install the free tool named Java OpenWebStart (for Windows) because Download Director need it to run in a Windows PC.

------------------------------
Satid S
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Thu August 22, 2024 03:15 PM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

> Can you confirm from HMC that your server's MTM = 8284-22A ?
Definitely because I handled that server myself.

> Have you set IBM i Alternate Install Device to the virtual optical device yet?
Yes, I did.

> One point I find this strange is that you successfully install IBM i Licensed Internal Code from the install image but had this problem with the first media volume of OS.
Exactly my point.

> From which URL did you download the install image files?
The 7.4 release I used/tried is the 7.4 try & buy version from the ESS page.

> These communities are great but don't forget that you can open a case with IBM on this.
Not sure I can. I have no i license but just wanted to see it out of curiosity. Hence I used the mentioned try & buy version.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

I am running it under VIOS as mentioned in my first post. Fully virtualized as noted in: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-support-8284-22a

My firmware level is higher than the required one as well. However, maybe the i support is not as mature as necessary after all.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

> I suggest you use IBM Download Director tool to download the images
I did.

> You also need first to download and install the free tool named Java OpenWebStart (for Windows) because Download Director need it to run in a Windows PC
As mentioned before, I don't use windows.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

Dear Jack

• When you created the LPAR profile in your S822 server, did you specify the LPAR OS attribute as IBM i and did you also specify the LPAR as "Restricted IO partition"  ?  If not, please do both.

• From HMC, you need to display your S822 server-level properties and check its IBM i LPAR support attribute whether it is enabled or not.  If not, that may be the root cause of your problem and you need to contact IBM or IBM BP from which your S822 server was purchased and ask them for a new server firmware activation code that also enables IBM i LPAR support for your S822 server.    This was a rare case in my past experience but it did happened before when the server was ordered WITHOUT an order specify code for IBM i LPAR attribute in the e-Config tool that generated the server order. (IBM i LPAR was an afterthought for that customer and this may also be the case for you.)   
• 
  It is not widely known that Power server firmware has different enablement for AIX, Linux and IBM i LPAR separately that allows an LPAR to be created for that particular OS in Power server and this enablement is controlled through LPAR OS specify code in e-Config tool.   For example, if the server order contains AIX and/or Linux LPAR specify code but not one for IBM i when the server is ordered, the team at the manufacturing plant will enter server's firmware activation code WITHOUT IBM i LPAR enablement for that server and an IBM i LPAR cannot be created in that server until a new firmware activation code is delivered with IBM i LPAR enablement.   I used to capture the screen shot of this server's properties but could not find it now.    

------------------------------
Satid S
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Fri August 23, 2024 08:20 AM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

> I suggest you use IBM Download Director tool to download the images
I did.

> You also need first to download and install the free tool named Java OpenWebStart (for Windows) because Download Director need it to run in a Windows PC
As mentioned before, I don't use windows.

------------------------------
jack smith
------------------------------

I just found the system properties screen shot from IBM HMC redbook ( https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/sg248334.pdf  ).   From the HMC, click Managed System Properties and then the Capabilities tab to show all the managed system capabilities.  I think you should look for the entry for "IBM i Capable" and see if it is set to True or not.

------------------------------
Satid S
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Fri August 23, 2024 10:07 PM
From: Satid S
Subject: i installation troubles

Dear Jack

• When you created the LPAR profile in your S822 server, did you specify the LPAR OS attribute as IBM i and did you also specify the LPAR as "Restricted IO partition"  ?  If not, please do both.

• From HMC, you need to display your S822 server-level properties (it may use different wording by now such as system attributes) and check its IBM i support attribute whether it is enabled or not.  If not, that may be the root cause of your problem and you need to contact IBM or IBM BP from which your S822 server was purchased and ask them for a new server firmware activation code that also enables IBM i LPAR support for your S822 server.    This was a rare case in my past experience but it did happened before when the server was ordered WITHOUT an order specify code for IBM i LPAR attribute in the e-Config tool that generated the server order. (IBM i LPAR was an afterthought for that customer.)    It is not widely known that Power server firmware has different enablement for AIX and IBM i LPAR separately that allows and LPAR to be created for that particular OS in Power server and this enablement is controlled through LPAR OS specify code in e-Config tool.   For example, if the server order contains AIX and/or Linux LPAR specify code but not one for IBM i, the team at the manufacturing plant will enter server's firmware activation code WITHOUT IBM i LPAR enablement for that server and an IBM i LPAR cannot be created in that server until a new firmware activation code is delivered with IBM i LPAR enablement.   I used to capture the screen shot of this server's properties but could not find it now.    

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Satid S
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Original Message:
Sent: Fri August 23, 2024 08:20 AM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

> I suggest you use IBM Download Director tool to download the images
I did.

> You also need first to download and install the free tool named Java OpenWebStart (for Windows) because Download Director need it to run in a Windows PC
As mentioned before, I don't use windows.

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jack smith

> did you specify the LPAR OS attribute as IBM i
Of course.

> did you also specify the LPAR as "Restricted IO partition" ?
In more recent HMC versions that option is somewhere else and unfortunately not in the profile settings anymore. So I didn't have it set. However, it made no difference although I gave it a fresh start by also installing the LIC again after setting this option.

> firmware has different enablement for AIX, Linux and IBM i
Yep and mine has the i option.

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jack smith
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Original Message:
Sent: 8/24/2024 10:26:00 AM
From: jack smith
Subject: RE: i installation troubles

> did you specify the LPAR OS attribute as IBM i
Of course.

> did you also specify the LPAR as "Restricted IO partition" ?
In more recent HMC versions that option is somewhere else and unfortunately not in the profile settings anymore. So I didn't have it set. However, it made no difference although I gave it a fresh start by also installing the LIC again after setting this option.

> firmware has different enablement for AIX, Linux and IBM i
Yep and mine has the i option.

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jack smith
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Dear Jack 

I think I have found the cause of your problem.  The file for B_GROUP1_01_IBM_i_RS_740-00 must be corrupted at the source IBM ESS web site. 

I reach this conclusion by going to IBM ESS web site and selecting from IBM i Evaluation section to download 3 install image files I_BASE_01_Licensed Machine_Code_RS_740-P, B_GROUP1_01_IBM_i_RS_740-00 and  B_GROUP1_02_IBM_i_RS_740-00. Then I noticed that the file size indicated in the selection list were as shown below (the number is in MB): 

Then after I downloaded all 3 of them, their file sizes were shown as :

(The 3 file size above are the same as reported by IBM Download Directior tool.)  I saw that LIC and OS volume 2 files were near the MB sizes indicated in the list above BUT OS volume 1 size was only around 1G which was clearly much smaller than the indicated 3GB size.   This makes me think that OS volume 1 file is not the correct image or somehow corrupted.   We all can be sure of this theory only if there is any other people download them and try to install them like you did

However, you can notify IBM ESS support team of this suspected defect using the Feedback section provided on the home page of IBM ESS web site. I have sent one to them. Your notification to them may help enforce the matter. 

 

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Satid S
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Original Message:
Sent: Sat August 24, 2024 10:26 AM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

> did you specify the LPAR OS attribute as IBM i
Of course.

> did you also specify the LPAR as "Restricted IO partition" ?
In more recent HMC versions that option is somewhere else and unfortunately not in the profile settings anymore. So I didn't have it set. However, it made no difference although I gave it a fresh start by also installing the LIC again after setting this option.

> firmware has different enablement for AIX, Linux and IBM i
Yep and mine has the i option.

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jack smith
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Oh, haha of course, great find! I'll send a report as well.

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jack smith
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My notification to IBM is now acknowledged. I hope my theory is right and the solution will be swift. 

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Satid S
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Original Message:
Sent: Sun August 25, 2024 11:52 AM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

Oh, haha of course, great find! I'll send a report as well.

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jack smith
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Hi Jack, 

  Please share  the results of next commands: 

VIOS:

• lsmap -all -field svsa vtd "Client Partition ID" Status "Backing device" -fmt :
• lsvopt
• lsrep

HMC

• lshwres -r virtualio -m Your_managed_system_name --rsubtype scsi

You can get Your_managed_system_name from command:  lssyscfg -r sys -F name

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Nicolae Chirea
System Architect
Seidor Iberia
Madrid/Spain
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Thanks but the case is solved already. See previous posts.

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jack smith
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Dear Jack

IBM has notified me that they have addressed the issue now.  Could you download B_GROUP1_01 install image again and use it and let us know the result?    Hope to hear a good news from you this time. :-) 

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Satid S
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Original Message:
Sent: Mon August 26, 2024 10:44 AM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

Thanks but the case is solved already. See previous posts.

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jack smith
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Working just fine!
Much thanks for all replies and to Satid in particular for finding the culprit!

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jack smith
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Dear Jack

You should also thank Sherlock Holmes (or Conan Doyle), whose quote helps me nail the case:  "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth"  ;-) 

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Satid S
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Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 27, 2024 10:24 PM
From: jack smith
Subject: i installation troubles

Working just fine!
Much thanks for all replies and to Satid in particular for finding the culprit!

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jack smith
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Original Message:
Sent: 8/28/2024 8:11:00 AM
From: Satid S
Subject: RE: i installation troubles

Dear Jack

You should also thank Sherlock Holmes (or Conan Doyle), whose quote helps me nail the case:  "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth"  ;-) 

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Satid S
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