Originally posted by: chris5126

Hi guys,

We have a standalone p610 running AIX 6.1 and we want to change it to a HMC managed system so we can use LPARs in the future. Our shinny new HMC arrived today so my question is can I just hook it up with the p610 running or will I need to take the system down? If so what steps do I need to take can I just plug in the cross over cable to the managed system and power the HMC on?

At the moment we just want to keep using the system as one partition and then in a months time we will destroy the current configuration and split it into three LPARs, unless there is way to convert the current system into an LPAR and just remove some of the resources and assign it to the new LPARs.

One final question, do I have to use a separate VIO server to manage the resources? I did a training course on all this but it was so long ago!!
#AIX-Forum

Originally posted by: tony.evans

I'm going to assume this is a Power4 P610?

In which case, IIRC, it's at most a 2-way system. Since it's Power4 you can't do micro-partitioning. You can have at most 2 LPARs (1 cpu each), and you can't use VIO (Power5 only).

There may be p610's with more than 2 processors, it's a while since I looked at that model, in which case you can have 1 LPAR per CPU (at best, other restrictions apply depending on the other hardware in the box).
#AIX-Forum

Originally posted by: chris5126

Sorry being a total idiot thats the wrong machine its actually a 520:

prtconf
System Model: IBM,8203-E4A
Machine Serial Number: 061B985
Processor Type: PowerPC_POWER6
Processor Implementation Mode: POWER 6
Processor Version: PV_6
Number Of Processors: 4
Processor Clock Speed: 4695 MHz
CPU Type: 64-bit
Kernel Type: 64-bit
LPAR Info: 1 06-1B985
Memory Size: 15680 MB
Good Memory Size: 15680 MB
Platform Firmware level: EL340_101
Firmware Version: IBM,EL340_101
Console Login: enable
Auto Restart: true
Full Core: false
#AIX-Forum

Originally posted by: tony.evans

Okay, so with a p520, yes you can use VIO but you don't have to, it depends on the network / storage layout.

Having said that, you probably should use VIO to get the best from the box, you'll need to make sure the server has a valid VET activation code. (Actually, I've just checked, and you do have a VET activation for that server, but you need to make sure it's been applied).

Going backwards, I don't think it's as simple as just plugging in the HMC, but I think the HMC guide has some information on handling that, although I can't find it at the moment.

Hopefully someone else will chip in.
#AIX-Forum

Originally posted by: chris5126

Hi,

Thanks for that info very helpful. I have been reading the redbook Hardware Management Console V7 Handbook but it doesnt seem to have any info on adding a running unmanaged system to a new hmc. Maybe im not looking in the right place, or maybe it cant be done???

Chris
#AIX-Forum

Originally posted by: tony.evans

It can definitely be done.

The p520 service processor at the moment won't be set for an HMC though, so that needs to be reset, the HMC won't know about the 'LPAR' you've got (full system partition) so that will need to be created, and you'll probably have fun with virtual console connections, but it's all doable, it's just not something I've done recently enough to remember how.

If you have a support contract with IBM, they'll be able to provide the info through that route, if no one here has done it and remembers how.
#AIX-Forum

Originally posted by: chris5126

Can I do it without having to lose the existing install? Also not sure if we would have a support contract as its a rented machine.
#AIX-Forum

Originally posted by: tony.evans

You can do it, the OS is on the disks, and AIX is pretty good at booting even if the hardware changes as long as it can find drivers. So as long as the profile you boot can see the disks, AIX is likely to come up.
#AIX-Forum

Originally posted by: unprophete

btw.

according to the VET code for your system checked on http://www-912.ibm.com/pod/pod

and later according to http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1010860

your system is "equipped" with PowerVM Enterprise what would mean is ready for Live Partition Mobility (LPM) configuration as well as shared memory pools I guess....
#AIX-Forum

Originally posted by: afisher

Chris,

To accomplish what you stated in your original post, you don't need VIO at all. I guess I'm not understanding how VIO got into this discussion because if all you want to do is move a standalone system to an LPARed system, there's not much to it. This is all assuming that you have enough resources in the machine to run the 3 LPARs in the future. If you'll be short, then yes... VIO enters the picture then. But a VIO server and 3 LPARs on a 520 is stretching things a bit, unless these LPARs are little baby LPARs. Just keep in mind that a VIO server needs resources to handle the LPARs too (typically at least .2 of a CPU, depending on CPU speed, and at least 2GB RAM).

So your task list (high-level) might look something like this...
1) shutdown OS
2) attach 520 to HMC private network
3) HMC should discover system and put it in "pending auth" state
4) configure ASM passwords
5) delete pre-existing LPAR (usually all systems have an all-encompassing LPAR already configured on the svc proc, just nuke it)
6) configure new LPAR (but don't check the box for "All resources", just select them all from the I/O tab and mark them all as "desired", then in the future it makes for less downtime when carving out the new LPARs)
7) activate the partition
8) if it doesn't boot up, boot it into SMS and scan for bootable devices. anything with a boot sector will be returned. If you've partitioned in the disk controller (if the OS is local) or the HBA (if the OS is san-connected), then it should show up.
9) boot into the OS and double check bootlist (bootlist -m normal -o)
10) setup HMC public IP so you can now get console access remotely
11) pat yourself on the back for joining the 21st century :) j/k

If everything is desired and you've got DNS and RSCT setup properly on the machine, you can DLPAR devices away and into other partitions on the fly (zero downtime). Obviously if you want to create a VIO server that presents partitioned disk & ethernet, that's a different story. But I can help you with that as well.

-drew
http://www.NotesOfANerd.com
#AIX-Forum