Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

Trying to do a mksysb restore of one of our clients' servers to a different server, as a proof-of-concept DR test. The mksysb .iso (AIX 5.3 ML 5) is loaded in the VRML on the VIOS, I power up the partition into SMS mode, select the appropriate virtual cd... and the boot process hangs on the kernel splash screen.

Reference code on the HMC reads "starting kernel". Reference code history shows a lot of steps with "FWFLASH" as a failing entry: I've updated the system firmware to the latest level, with no effect.

The DR server is an IBM 520, P6 processors, so AIX 5.3 ML 5 can run on it...

Anyone got any ideas where else I can look to figure out what's going on?

Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

You don't say exactly what model POWER6 p520 you have or what service pack of AIX 5.3 ML5 you are running.

Some POWER6 P520 (8203-E4A) require at least AIX 5.3 Technology Level 7 (they were POWER6+ models).

I suspect that you either have a level of AIX that isn't supported by the hardware or that the firmware level you are running isn't supported.

Use the IBM Prequesite site to make sure you have the right level of AIX 5.3 to run on that particular server https://www-912.ibm.com/e_dir/eserverprereq.nsf/UpgradeCategories/Hardware?opendocument

Of course you know that AIX 5.3 is out of support and ML5 is really, really long out of support.
A service extension is available for AIX 5.3 Technology Level 12.

Jay