Setting up AIX provisioning

Before you begin

• You must have a working NIM environment, configured for and stocked with all of the operating system installation files you want to use to provision target servers.
• The NIM master must be running version 7.4 or later of the RSCD agent. For information on installing or upgrading the agent, see Installing only the RSCD agent (Linux and UNIX) or Upgrading RSCD agents.

Step 1: Set up the NIM environment

1. On the NIM master, select or create a directory to use as a BMC Server Automation staging directory. This directory holds copies of the configuration files that BMC Server Automation generates. By convention, this directory is called /export.
   Make a note of this directory. You need it when you configure BMC Server Automation for NIM. (Specifically, you need to specify this staging directory in the STAGING_DIR_PATH property when you define your NIM data store instances.)
2. Directly beneath this staging directory, create a /BladeLogic/rscd subdirectory.
   For example, if your staging directory is called /export, your directory structure is:
   /export/BladeLogic/rscd
3. Obtain the AIX agent installer file. For example, RSCD820-GA-AIX32.sh.
   You can download this file from the BMC Support site.
   This file installs an RSCD agent on each target server that is being provisioned.
4. Rename the RSCD820-GA-AIX32.sh file to rscd.sh, and copy rscd.sh to the newly created BladeLogic/rscd directory.
5. Create a response file for the installation of the RSCD agent and store the response file in the newly created BladeLogic/rscd directory. The response file is called nsh-install-defaults.
   For information about creating an nsh-install-defaults file, see Creating an installation defaults file for Linux or UNIX agents.
6. Confirm that the BladeLogic/rscddirectory on the NIM master contains the following files:
   • rscd.sh
   • nsh-install-defaults

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Step 2: Configure the data store - NIM properties

Configuring the data store sets required values for accessing the data sources for provisioning.

In particular, you define the location of the data store, which is where you store sets of installation files that are used for provisioning operating systems. Data store values are stored in the Data Store system object, which you can edit by using the Property Dictionary.

1. Select Configuration > Property Dictionary View.
2. In the Property Class Navigation panel at the left, open the Built-in Property Classes folder. Then open the DataStore sub-folder. Click NIM DataStore.
3. In the right panel, click the Instances tab.
   A DataStore instance specifies the server that functions as a data store. You must create at least one instance of a data store. You can create more than one instance. For example:
   • One data store instance could contain files for provisioning Windows systems, and another instance could contain files for provisioning Linux systems.
   • For an enterprise WAN, you could create one data store instance to serve the London network segment, another to serve the New York network segment, and a third to serve the Tokyo network segment.

4. Create a data store instance. To configure a data store instance for NIM provisioning, set the following property values.
   

   Property Name	Description
   NIM_MASTER	The IP address of the NIM master. This value must be resolvable from the BMC Server Automation Application Server. The NIM master must have a running RSCD agent that is licensed. Tip Use the IP address instead of the host name of the NIM server in the NIM Datastore PSI to eliminate issues with the lpar_netboot command which is run as part of the Provisioning job.
   STAGING_DIR_PATH	An existing directory location on the NIM master. BMC Server Automation uses this directory to stage all generated NIM resources. The directory must be writable by users who create Provision Jobs, because Provision Job execution creates subfolders and files as necessary.

   
   

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Step 3: Configure a system package type for AIX provisioning

1. In the menu bar, select Configuration > Provisioning Configurations.
2. To configure or change the information for a system package type, select the type in the list and click Edit. To add a new system package type, click Add.

3. Complete the configuration window that appears.

    Click here to see descriptions of the fields in the configuration window.

   The System Package Types configurations window lets you add a system package type or change configuration information for the AIX system package type.

   Field definitions

   System package type	Name of the system package type.
   SPOT name	Name of the NIM Shared Product Object Tree (SPOT) resource.
   Lpp_source name	Name of the NIM lpp_source resource.
   Mksysb name	Name of the NIM mksysb resource.
   Bosinst source	The NIM resource you want to use as the primary source for the operating system. Choose one of the following options: spot rte mksysb

   Where to go from here

    System package panels (generic)

4. When you finish adding or editing system package types, click OK on the System Package Types tab.

Step 4: Create a system package for AIX provisioning

In the Depot, create one or more folders for your system packages.

1. In the Depot, right-click the folder where you want to add a new system package. From the pop-up menu, choose New > System package.

2. Provide information for the new system package, as described in the following sections: 

   Panel	Description
   System Package Creation - General	The General panel lets you provide information that identifies the system package, including the type of operating system. Field Definitions Name Enter an identifying name for the system package. This name appears in the Depot. Description (Optional) Enter descriptive text for the system package. Member of Verify the folder in the Depot under which this system package belongs. To change the displayed folder name, click Browse . System Package Type Select the type of operating system that you want this system package to install. The system package type controls which options and tabs are available when you open the system package to define the installation settings. Where to go from here System Package Creation - Properties
   System Package Creation - Properties	The Properties panel provides a list of properties automatically assigned to a Snapshot Job. In this list, you can modify the value of any properties that are defined as editable. For any property that has a check in the Editable column, select the property and click in the Value column. To set a property value back to its default value, click Reset to Default Value . The value of the property is reset to the value it inherits from a built-in property class. The Value Source column shows the property class from which the value is inherited. Depending on the type of property you are editing, you can take different actions to set a new value, such as entering an alphanumeric string, choosing from an enumerated list, or selecting a date. To insert a parameter into the value, enter the value, bracketed with double question mark delimiters (for example, ??MYPARAMETER??) or click Select Property . Where to go from here System Package Creation - Permissions
   System Package Creation - Permissions	The Permissions panel is an access control list (ACL) granting roles access to this system package. ACLs control access to all objects, including the sharing of objects between roles. Using the Permissions panel, you can add individual permissions to the system package. You can also set permissions by adding ACL templates. Task Procedure Adding an authorization An authorization grants permission to a role to perform a certain type of action on this object. To add an authorization to this object, click  in the Access Control List area. Then use the Add New Entry dialog box to specify the role and authorization you want to add. Adding an ACL template An ACL template is a group of predefined authorizations granted to roles. Using an ACL template, you can add a group of authorizations to this object. To add an ACL template to this job, click  in the Access Control List area. Then use the Select ACL Template dialog box to specify an ACL template that you want to add to this object. If you want the contents of the selected ACL templates to replace all entries in the access control list, check Replace ACL with selected templates. If you do not check this option, the contents of the selected ACL templates are appended to any existing entries in the access control list. Where to go from here System package panels (OS specific)

3. Click Finish. The system package opens in the content editor.

4. Define settings in the system package using the tabs at the bottom of the content editor. Each OS type has a different set of tabs.

   Panel	Description
   Basic configuration - AIX	The Basic Config tab lets you provide local information about a server, such as its name and the password needed to access the machine. Field definitions Computer name (Required) The unique name that should be assigned to the server. Enter a name or click Select Property to insert a parameter that refers to a local property to supply the value for this field. OM Server Name (Optional) Specifies a different name for this server to display when it appears in the BMC Server Automation Console. Enter a name or click Select Property to insert a parameter that refers to a local property to supply the value for this field. If you want this server to display its Computer name when it appears in the BMC Server Automation Console, leave the OM Server Name field blank. If you do choose to use a different OM Server Name for this machine, make sure that this new name can be resolved to the IP address of the server. NIM Machine name The name by which this machine is known within the NIM environment. The provisioning process creates a machine object with this name in the NIM database. The name must be a legal NIM machine name (one that does not include periods). If you do not explicitly specify a name in this field, the Computer name is used as the NIM machine name. In that case, you must make sure that the Computer name is a legal NIM machine name. Root password The password used to access the root account. Enter a password. Then confirm your typing by entering the password again in the Confirm password field. Proceed to the Target disk - AIX tab.
   Target disk - AIX	The Target Disk tab lets you provide information about the disks in the target machine where you plan to install the operating system. The information you provide here is stored in the target_disk_data stanza(s) of the bosinst.data file. By default, bosinst.data has one target_disk_data stanza, but you can add additional stanzas by adding multiple entries on this panel. Each entry corresponds to a stanza. Multiple stanzas let you install the operating system on multiple disks, one stanza for each disk. There are two ways to provide information about the disks in the target machine: To use a script to provide target disk information, click Use script for target disk selection. Then either type in your script in the large text box, or click Select Property . This icon indicates that you can insert a parameter that refers to a local property to supply the value for this field. For information about inserting a parameter, see Inserting a parameter in a system package field. To use the GUI fields, do one of the following: To create a new entry/stanza, click Add. To modify an existing entry/stanza, highlight the entry and click Edit. Then fill in at least one of the following fields: PVID, Physical Location, San Disk ID, Connection, Location, Size (MB), HDISKNAME. Refer to the AIX documentation for information about the rules of precedence for these fields. Proceed to the Localization settings - AIX tab.
   Localization settings - AIX	The Localization Settings tab lets you provide localization information. Field definitions BosInst Locale Select a locale from the list. If the locale you need is not on the list, check Use parameter or specify an unlisted timezone. Use a parameter or specify an unlisted locale for use during bosinst Check this option if the locale you need is not on the list for BosInst Locale. The drop-down list changes to a field. In the field, type the name of a time zone or click Select Property to insert a parameter that references a property you created for the unlisted locales. For information about the locales supported in the AIX environment, consult the AIX documentation. Cultural Convention Select a cultural convention from the list. If the convention you need is not on the list, check Use parameter or specify an unlisted locale for the cultural convention. Use a parameter or specify an unlisted locale for the cultural convention Check this option if the cultural convention you need is not on the list for Cultural Convention. The drop-down list changes to a field. In the field, type the name of a convention or click Select Property to insert a parameter that references a property you created for the unlisted cultural conventions. For information about the cultural conventions supported in the AIX environment, consult the AIX documentation. Messages Catalogs Select the name of the messages catalogs from the list. If the name of the messages catalogs is not on the list, check Use parameter or specify an unlisted locale for the messages catalogs. Use a parameter or specify an unlisted locale for the messages catalogs Check this option if the messages catalogs name is not on the list for Messages Catalogs. The drop-down list changes to a field. In the field, type the messages catalogs name or click Select Property to insert a parameter that references a property you created for the unlisted messages catalogs. For information about the messages catalogs supported in the AIX environment, consult the AIX documentation. Keyboard Select a keyboard map from the list. If the keyboard you need is not on the list, check Use parameter or specify an unlisted locale for the keyboard map. Use a parameter or specify an unlisted locale for the keyboard map Check this option if the keyboard you need is not on the list for Keyboard. The drop-down list changes to a field. In the field, type the name of a keyboard map or click Select Property to insert a parameter that references a property you created for the unlisted keyboard map. For information about the keyboards supported in the AIX environment, consult the AIX documentation. Proceed to the Network config - AIX tab.
   Network config - AIX	The Network Configuration tab lets you provide networking information for a server. Field definitions Use an existing network object. Leave unchecked to use find_net To use an existing network object, check this option. The enter and the object's name in the Network object name field or click Browse  to select an object. To use the NIM find_net keyword to find the target machine you want to provision, leave Use an existing network object check box unchecked, and leave the Network object name field blank. If you do these two things, NIM uses information you provide in other fields on this panel to find the target on the network. Network Type (For use with the find_net keyword.) Specify a network type. Subnet Mask (For use with the find_net keyword.) Enter a subnet mask number, which is used to identify which segment of the network the server is on. Network Name (Optional) The name to use for a network object you define, if NIM is not able to match the NIM device to an existing network. Client Gateway (Optional) The IP address or host name of the default gateway that the target machine uses to communicate with the NIM master. Master Gateway (Optional) The IP address or host name of the default gateway used by the NIM master to communicate with clients on other subnets. Network Adapter Name The logical device name of the network adapter in the target machine you plan to provision. DNS IP Address The IP address of the DNS server that the target machine uses. Domain Name The default domain to use when looking for machines via a host name, and the host name is not fully qualified. Client IP Address (Optional) The NIM client IP address to use to restart logical partitions (LPARs) created in a virtual guest job. You can specify either an explicit IP address or a property-based parameter (for example, ??CLIENT_IP_ADDRESS??). Proceed to the Agent install first boot script - AIX tab.
   Agent install first boot script - AIX	The Agent Install/First Boot Script tab lets you specify processes you would like to run after the operating system is installed on the server. You can use this tab to: Choose whether you want to install a BMC Server Automation RSCD agent. An agent must be installed on every server you want to manage using the BMC Server Automation Console or Network Shell. Choose whether you want to run a Batch Job. A Batch Job can sequentially run a series of other jobs that install software and perform additional configuration on the server. Specify the NIM first boot script you want to run after the operating system is installed. This script runs before any post-install Batch Job that you specify. Field definitions Install RSCD agent Check this option to install an agent on the server being provisioned. Before installing the RSCD agent, the provisioning process dynamically computes the size of these disk partitions on the target server and extends them if necessary: The /tmp partition The partition on which the agent is to be installed (for example, /opt) For these extensions to be successful, you must ensure that each partition is mounted on a logical volume with enough space the partition to be extended. Use the following AIX operating system commands: To show information about the current size of the file system, percentage of utilization, and the name of its logical volume, enter: df To show information about the logical volume, including its volume group nam, enter: lslv logicalVolumeName For information about required space for RSCD agent installation, see Minimum hardware requirements. Push ACLs Check this option to push the ACLs defined for the server in the BMC Server Automation system to the RSCD agent you are installing on the server. Selecting this option automatically translates the permissions you have defined for the server in the BMC Server Automation system into a users configuration file on the RSCD agent. In this way, you control users' access to the server not only through the BMC Server Automation Console but also through Network Shell and the BLCLI. Run post-install batch job Check this option to run a post-install Batch Job that can install software and configure the server. Then for Path to post-install job, enter the path to the job or click Browse to select it. In order to check Run post-install batch job, you must also check Install RSCD agent, because running a post-install job requires that there is an agent installed on the server. If you specify a Post-install Batch Job, make sure that the provisioning operator who runs the provisioning wizard logs is using a role that has Read and Execute authorizations on the Batch Job and has Read and Execute authorizations on all the Jobs contained in the Batch Job. Firstboot Script Specify the contents of the NIM first boot script by doing one of the following: Type the name of a local property that contains the script, enclosing the property name with double question marks. Click Select Property to display a drop-down menu of available properties. Select the property that contains the script. Type a shell script directly in the input box. Note that you cannot use property-based parameters in this type of script. The following example script installs perl on the target server during the first boot: #!/usr/bin/ksh #Installing perl  echo “downloading the perl” wget http://www.oss4aix.org/download/RPMS/bash/bash-3.2-4.aix5.1.ppc.rpm echo “Installing perl on the target” rpm -i bash-3.2-4.aix5.1.ppc.rpm  The expected echo return code is: $? The script runs one time immediately after an unattended installation of the operating system. Proceed to the NIM scripts tab.
   NIM scripts	NIM scripts are shell scripts that the NIM master runs on the client when the base operating system is finished being installed. You can use these scripts to customize the target machine's operating system before it reboots for the first time. Do one of the following: To define a new script, click Add . To modify an existing script, select the script in the list and click Edit . In the script dialog, provide information for the following options and click OK. For Script Name, do one of the following: Type the name of the script. Type the name of a local property that contains a script name, enclosing the property name with double question marks. Click Select Property to display a drop-down menu of available properties. Select the property that contains the script name. For Verbose Level, use the drop-down menu to specify the verbose level of the script's output. Specify a level from 1 to 5, 1 being the least verbose and 5 being the most verbose. You can also select 0, which means that the verbose level is unspecified. For Script Contents, do one of the following: Type the contents of the script. Type the name of a local property that contains a script, enclosing the property name with double question marks. Click Select Property to display a drop-down menu of available properties. Select the property that contains the script. proceed to the Control flow tab.
   Control flow	The Control Flow tab lets you edit the first section of the bosinst.data file. This section is called the control_flow stanza. You can modify this section to change any of the default settings. To modify the default settings, do one of the following: Type your changes directly into the text box. Type the name of a local property that contains a setting, enclosing the property name with double question marks. Click Select Property to display a drop-down menu of available properties. Select the property that contains the setting. Proceed to the Optional bos_inst attributes tab.
   Optional bos_inst attributes	The Optional bos_inst Attributes tab lets you specify additional bos_inst attribute/value pairs, which are passed on to the nim -o bos_inst operation. The nim -o bos_inst operation lets you specify attributes to customize the operating system installation. The Optional Bos_inst Attributes tab has two sections: Bosinst attributes — Lists the attributes specified by the system package type on which your system package is based. Other optional attributes — Lists the bos_inst attributes to add to the nim -o bos_inst operation. Use this section to further customize the installation by adding or editing attributes. For example, to execute a custom script on the target machine after installation, add the script attribute with a value that is the name of the script. To add or edit attribute/value pairs, do one of the following: To define a new attribute/value pair, click . To modify an existing attribute/value pair, select the pair in the list and click . In the edit dialog box, provide information for the following options and click OK. For Bosinst attribute name, do one of the following: Type the name of the attribute. Type the name of a local property that contains an attribute name, enclosing the property name with double question marks. Click Select Property to display a drop-down menu of available properties. Select the property that contains the attribute name from the list. For Value, do one of the following: Type the value. Type the name of a local property that contains a value, enclosing the property name with double question marks. To display a drop-down menu of available properties, click Select Property. Select the property that contains the value from the list. Proceed to the Pre-machine definition scripts tab.
   Pre-machine definition scripts	The Pre-Machine Definition Script tab lets you specify a script to run on the NIM master before the target's machine object is defined in NIM. You can leave this tab empty or specify a script. All machines to be provisioned must be defined as machine objects in the NIM environment. From the settings you define in the system package, the system package wizard creates the machine definition command that defines the machine object on the NIM master. (You can view this command on the Preview tab.) However, there might be settings you want to make on the machine before its machine object is defined in NIM. For such settings, you can specify a script on this tab. To specify a script, do one of the following: Type the script in the text box. Type the name of a local property that contains a script, enclosing the property name with double question marks. To select an existing script, click . On the Edit dialog, click Import and select the script. The contents of the script appear in the text box. To add to the script, you can type commands or click Properties to reference scripts. Specify a property that references an existing script. Click Select Property to display a drop-down menu of available properties. Select the property that contains the attribute name from the list. For more information, see Inserting a script in a system package. Proceed to the Pre-bos_inst script tab.
   Pre-bos_inst script	The Pre-bos_inst Script tab lets you specify a script to run on the NIM master before the nim -o bos_inst operation runs. You can leave this panel empty or specify a script as described in Inserting a script in a system package. Proceed to the Post bos_inst Script tab.
   Post bos_inst Script	The Post bos_inst Script tab lets you specify a script to be executed on the NIM master after the bosinst operation is executed. You can leave this panel empty, or specify a script as described in Inserting a script in a system package. Proceed to the Local properties - AIX tab.
   Preview - AIX	<[^>]+?>","")"/> <[^>]+?>","")" class="contextID"> The Preview tab lets you examine the customizations you made to the bosinst.data file, the machine definition command, NIM resource definition, and the Bosinst command. The tab displays the contents of the following files: bosinst.data file Machine definition command NIM resource definition Bosinst command This panel is display only.
   Local properties - AIX	The Local Properties tab lets you add properties to an individual system package and modify its existing properties. Do one of the following: If you are adding a new property, click Add . If you are modifying an existing property, right-click the name of the property and click Edit from the drop-down menu. Then use the property dialog box to add or modify a local property. Proceed to the Preview - AIX tab.

   Tip

   When defining a system package, note the presence of the Select Property icon  next to various input fields. This icon indicates that you can insert a parameter that refers to a local property to supply the value for the field. For information on inserting a parameter, see Inserting a parameter in a system package field and Inserting a script in a system package. For an example of how using parameters can streamline provisioning, see Assigning configuration values during device import.

5. When you finish defining the system package, select File > Save.

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 Where to go from here

Setting up provisioning jobs and post-provisioning jobs