5AIX SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

 

AIX Version 5.3 operating system is delivered on multiple cds.

 

 

 

AIX is delivered on multiple CDs. For example, AIX V5.3 is delivered on 8 CDs. The Expansion Pack is delivered at no charge and includes products that may be valuable in the customer's business environment.

 

Licensed Program Products are separately orderable products that will run on the AIX operating system.

 

The contents of the Expansion and Bonus Packs vary over time. Their purpose is to acquaint users with tools and products that may be valuable in their business environment.

 

The AIX 5L Expansion Pack extends the base operating system by providing a variety of security software (DES, SSL, Certificates, and so forth), security extensions to base software (RSCT), and other software (HTTPServer, OpenSSH, Java2 Developer Kit, Directory Server). An Expansion Pack is included with every new order of AIX 5.3 at no additional charge when media is selected, or can be ordered separately for existing AIX licenses.

 

The AIX Bonus Pack compliments AIX by adding tools, utilities, as-is software and try-and-buy applications.

 

Prior to AIX 5.3 this was distributed in the same manner as the expansion pack. With AIX 5.3 this software is now available as a “Web Download Pack” which is downloaded from the IBM Web site. The AIX 5.3 Web Download Pack currently contains IBM Text-to-Speech, OpenSSH, Mozilla for AIX (web browser), and an evaluation copy of AIX Fast Connect.

 

For more details on either the Expansion Pack or the Bonus/Web Download Pack go to:

 

http://www.ibm.com/servers/aix/expansionpack

 

 

 

 

 

When working with modifications or fixes, it is common to download the fixes to a directory on your local hard drive before installation. This location is commonly referred to as the fix repository.

 

While /usr/sys/inst.images is a standard location for storing software images and will appear in the smit Input Device/Directory F4 list, you may choose to use any directory for this purpose.

 

Managing the fix repository includes knowing how up to date it is relative to what is available and what in the repository has been installed.

 

AIX provides a reporting facility to compare the installed software, repository software and IBM web site available software. Any two of these can be compared to obtain a report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IBM Eserver support provides a web site interface to access fix information.

There are multiple ways to navigate to this web page.

 

One way is via "Fix Central": www.ibm.com/eserver/support/fixes

 

Identify the server as pSeries, product type as AIX OS, ordering option as Fix Release Information, and finally the OS level as (for example) AIX5.3.

Another way is to go directory to the AIX fixes web page:

 

www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/pseries/aixfixes.html

 

It lists the various ordering options; next to Fix Release Info click on the level of AIX desired. You may identify a specific known fix, obtain a list of the most recent fixes, identify critical fixes, list available maintenance levels, of use the Fix Release Information facility (which is shown here).

 

 

The Fix Release Information page is designed with work with the AIX comparison reports.

 

The Fix Data File downloaded from here can be used as input to the utility for comparison against either the local Fix Repository or the Installed Software.

 

The comparison report output can then be used in the bottom half of the Fix Release Information page to create a special anonymous FTP site directory holding all the Fix Images you are missing. The last step would be to use ftp to download the fix filesets to your Fix Repository Location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PACKAGING DEFINITION

 

 

LPP     -> Collection of Packages or Complete Product

Package -> Collection of filesets

Fileset -> Smallest Unit Specific Function

 

The Licensed Program Product (LPP) is a complete software product including all packages and filesets required. The Base Operating System (bos) itself is a LPP which in turn is a complete collection of packages and filesets.

 

A Package contains a group of filesets with a common function. It is a single, installable image.

 

A fileset is the smallest individually installable unit. It is collection of files that provides a specific function. For example, bos.net.tcp.client is a fileset in the bos.net package.

 

 

 

 

Filesets follow a standard naming convention. The Licensed Program Product name will be the first part of every fileset name. The fileset names are meaningful and describe the contents of the fileset. The following are the standard fileset suffixes:

 

.adt Application Development Toolkit for the Licensed Program

Product

.com Common code between two like filesets

.compat Compatibility code that will be removed in a future release of the Licensed Program Product

.data /usr/share portion of a fileset

.dev Device support for that Licensed Program Product

.diag Diagnostics for a fileset

.fnt Font portion of a fileset

.help[lang] Translated help files for that Licensed Program Product

.loc Locale for that Licensed Program Product

.mp Multi-processor specific code for a fileset

.msg[lang] Translated messages

.rte Run time or minimum set

.smit SMIT tools and dialogs for a fileset

.ucode Microcode for a fileset

.up Uni-processor specific code for a fileset

 

With message libraries associated with LPPs, the language is also part of the naming convention.

 

 

 

Since there are thousands of filesets, having to determine which individual fileset you want on your machine could be a time-consuming task. AIX has bundles which offer a collection of filesets that suit a particular purpose. For example, if you are developing applications, the App-Dev bundle would be the logical choice to install.

 

Some filesets within a bundle will only be installed if the prerequisite hardware is available (for example, a graphic adapter is needed to run AIXWindow).

 

In some cases, bundles are equivalent to product offerings. Often, however, they are a subset of a product offering or a separate customized bundle. The bundles available may vary from configuration to configuration.

 

 

SOFTWARE UPDATES

 

The software you currently installed is broken into 4 parts:

 

Version, Release, Modification, and Fix. The command to show this information is,

# oslevel

 

 

 

As new software is created for AIX, you want to upgrade your system to maintain the latest features and functionality.

 

The numerical information that shows what level of software you currently have installed is broken into 4 parts: Version, Release, Modification, and Fix. You can see this using the command oslevel.

 

When you want to upgrade the system, how you do it depends on what type of upgrade you are performing. Changes to the Version or Release levels require you to perform a migration installation as discussion in the Installation section. If you want to make a change to the Modification or Fix levels, use smit update_all. These changes provide fixes to defects or additional functions to the BOS or optional software products.

 

Version and Release upgrades must be purchased. Modification and fix-level upgrade are available at no charge. They are provided on CD or tape (order via AIX Support Center) or they can be downloaded from the Web. Updates are available at

 

http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/pseries/aixfixes.html

 

The key added features of this Web site:

 

Download on demand. No more waiting for e-mail to tell you the fix is ready to pick up. The fixes are immediately available.Search by fileset name, PTF number, apar number or apar abstract.

 

One-click downloading of all requisites. Download individually or download-as-a-group. With the download-as-a-group, customers can start a multi-fileset download.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AIX has a number of software states. When you are installing software for the first time, the software will automatically install to a committed state. This means there is only one level of that software product installed on your system.

 

When you are installing a fix- or a maintenance- level upgrade to your system, you have the option of installing the software either in the committed state or the applied state.

 

The applied state allows you to maintain two levels of the software on your system. When software is installed in the applied state, the older version is saved on the disk and is deactivated while the newer version is installed and becomes the active version.

 

 

The applied state gives you the opportunity to test the newer software before committing to its use. If it works as expected, then you can commit the software which will remove the old version from the disk.

If the newer version is causing a problem, you can reject it which removes the newer version and recommits the old version.

 

With committed (or applied) software products, you can also remove them. This causes the product's files to be deleted from the system. Requisite software (software dependent on this product) is also removed unless it is required by some other software product on your system. If you want to use the software again, you would need to reinstall it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use the smit install_update fastpath to access this menu.

 

Install Software

 

This option allows you to install or update to the latest level of software available on the installation media. This allows you to install everything on the installation media if so desired. This is most commonly used to install optional software not currently installed on  you system.

 

Update Installed Software to Latest Level

 

This option is the smit update_all fastpath. It enables you to update all of your currently installed software products. Only the existing installed products are updated; no new optional software will be installed. This is the most commonly used method to install a maintenance level (service) update.

Install Software Bundle

 

Use this option to install a software grouped into a bundle. For example, if you wish to install the Application Development bundle, choose this option.

 

Update Software by Fix (APAR)

 

An APAR is a number used to identify reported problems caused by a suspected defect in a program. A fix to an APAR can be made up of one or more fileset updates. These updates are obtained through the IBM Support Center or by using FixDist.

 

The URL is

 

http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/pseries/aixfixes.html

Install and Update from ALL Available Software

 

This option enables you to install or update software from all software available on the installation media. Use this option when none of the other menus fit your needs.

 

 

 

 

This SMIT dialog screen allows you to install all or selected software from the installation media. If any updates exist for these products, they are also installed.

 

If _all_latest if left in the SOFTWARE to install line, everything on the installation media will be installed (except printers and devices). Usually, this line is used to indicate the new software you want to install. Use “list” (F4) to display all filesets on the media.

 

From there, you can select the fileset, package or LPP that you want to install. Access this menu using the SMIT fastpath smit install_latest.

The input device is usually CD-ROM, tape or diskette. However, it is also possible to install software that has already been loaded to disk. The directory /usr/sys/inst.images can be used for this purpose.

 

The preview option allows you to preview the results of the installation without actually performing the software install. The system displays information on space requirements and a list of software products and updates that are installed.

 

If you choose no for COMMIT software updates?, then you must choose yes to SAVE replaced files?.

 

This is the line where you decide whether you want to commit or apply the software product. The default is commit. To apply the install you must change this line.

 

To perform and update_all the SMIT screen will be identical except in the SOFTWARE to install line you will see [update_all].

 

Beginning with AIX 5.1, software license agreements are shipped and displayed electronically, saving paper and allowing for electronic software distribution in the future.

 

If a product has an electronic license agreement, it must be accepted before software installation can continue.

 

Using geninstall is also a way to install AIX LPP packages. The geninstall calls the installp command to install additional AIX LPP packages.

 

#geninstall -d /usr/sys/inst.images/installp/ppc bos.games

 

Do not specify the version, release, modification or fix level of the fileset, otherwise the installation fails.

 

Use the SMIT fastpath smit list_installed to access this menu. This menu provides information about the software and fixes installed on a system.

Most of the SMIT options on this menu actually execute the lslpp command. The following command options can be used to view specific software information:

 

• -l Displays the name, level, state and description of the fileset.

• -h Displays the installation and update history for the fileset.

• -p Displays requisite information for the fileset.

• -d Displays dependent information for the fileset.

• -f Displays the names of the files added to the system during installation of the fileset.

• -w Lists the fileset that owns a file.

• -b List software for the specified bundle name.

The option Show Fix (APAR) Installation Status executes the instfix command.

 

 

Use the SMIT fastpath smit list_installed to access this menu. This menu provides information about the software and fixes installed on a system.

Most of the SMIT options on this menu actually execute the lslpp command.

 

The following command options can be used to view specific software information:

 

• -l Displays the name, level, state and description of the fileset.

• -h Displays the installation and update history for the fileset.

• -p Displays requisite information for the fileset.

• -d Displays dependent information for the fileset.

• -f Displays the names of the files added to the system during installation

       of the fileset.

• -w Lists the fileset that owns a file.

• -b List software for the specified bundle name.

The option Show Fix (APAR) Installation Status executes the instfix command. This command will be discussed shortly.

 

 

The lslpp command is used to list the installed software on the system. The various options of the lslpp command allow you to view selected information on the software installed.

 

The output of the lslpp command displays the fileset name, the level of the product, its state (applied, committed), and a description of the product.

 

Other options include:

• -d displays filesets that are dependents on the specified software

• -f displays names of files added to the system during the installation of specified filesets

• -p lists requisite information for a specified fileset

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comparison reports are new to AIX V5.2 and an easy way for the customer to manage level of their systems regarding fixes and maintenance levels. It is possible to compare levels of different systems against a base system or a set of fixes.

 

To compare a base level system (sys1) with an other level system (sys2) and generate a lower level fileset report:

 

root@sys1# lslpp -Lc > complist_sys1

root@sys2# lslpp -Lc > complist_sys2

root@sys1# compare_report -b complist_sys1 -o complist_sys2 –l

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To compare filesets installed on a system to filesets contained in a fix repository. Four reports can be generated:

 

• A list of filesets on the system that are downlevel

• A list of filesets on the system that are uplevel

• A list of filesets in a fix repository that are not installed on the system

• A list of filesets installed on the system that are not in the fix repository

 

 

 

The fast path smit maintain_software allows you to commit, reject and remove software. You will also find the other menu items useful.

You can copy filesets from the installation media to the hard drive without actually performing an installation. This allows you to install it later without needing the original installation media.

If you are experiencing problems with your software, the check and verify options make the system run an analysis to determine if there is problem. It compares information stored on the disk to the information stored in ODM.

 

The clean up option resets your software installation back to the beginning after a failed install. A failed install is usually due to a power failure or a system shutdown occurring before the installation is complete. You then need to start your installation/update over.

 

To ’Copy all Software to Hard Disk for Future Installation use the following command:

# gencopy -d /dev/cd0 -t /usr/sys/inst.images all

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The instfix command allows you to install a fix or a set of fixes without knowing any information other than the Authorized Program Analysis Report (APAR) number (which is given to you by your Support Center) or other unique keywords identifying the fix.

 

The instfix command can also be used to determine if a fix is installed on your system. Valid options with the command:

 

-T Displays entire table of contents.

-s Search for and display table of contents entries containing the string.

-k Install filesets for a keyword or fix.

-f Install filesets for multiple keywords or fixes using an input file. Note that the output of the -T option produces a suitable input file format. -f results in instfix using standard input.

-i Use with -k or -f option to display whether fixes or keywords are installed. This option is for information only. Installation is not attempted when this option is used.

-a Use only with -i to optionally display the symptom text associated with a fix.

-d Specify the input device (required for all but -i).

-c output should be in colon delimited format

 

The examples on the foil do the following:

 

1. Install all filesets associated with fix IX38794 from the tape in the    /dev/rmt0.1 drive.

2. Inform the user on whether fix IX38794 is installed.

3. List all keyword entries on the tape containing the string SCSI.

4. Get which AIX BOS Maintenance levels are partly or full installed.

5. Get which filesets are missing in a partly installed AIX BOS Maintenance    level.

 

 

 

SOFTWARE INSTALLATION COMMANDS

 

SMIT fastpath to access the Software Installation and Maintenance menu # SMIT install

 

SMIT fastpath to install/update

# SMIT install_update

 

SMIT fastpath to update installed software to latest level # SMIT update_all

 

SMIT fastpath to get install software screen options # SMIT install_latest

 

SMIT fastpath list installed software

# SMIT list_installed # lslpp –L -> lists the installed software # lslpp –h -> show the history of a software product # lslpp –l bos.*

# lslpp –f  <fileset name> -> shows the contents of fileset

 

SMIT fastpath to get the Software Maintenance and Utilities # SMIT maintain_software

 

If there is a problem with a software, the check and verify options make the system run an analysis to determine if there is problem. It compares information stored on the disk to the information stored in ODM.

 

The lppchk command verifies that files for an installable software product

(fileset) match the Software Vital Product Data (SWVPD) database information for file sizes, checksum values, or symbolic links. A fileset is a separately installable option of a software package.

 

 

Interim Fix

 

An AIX Interim Fix is a fix custom-built by the IBM Support Center to fix a defect. An AIX Interim Fix addresses a defect in a single fileset and at a

single VRMF level of that fileset.

Unlike a PTF, an AIX Interim Fix is tested only to confirm that it fixes the defect it is intended to address. Since an interim fix can therefore be built and delivered more rapidly than a PTF, security fixes are often delivered as interim fixes.

 

The epkg command creates interim fix packages that can be installed by the emgr command. The emgr command installs, removes, lists, and verifies system interim fixes.

 

emgr command starts the interim fix (interim fix) manager, which installs, removes, lists, and checks system interim fixes.

 

To list interim fix; data:

 

emgr –l

 

To install an interim fix package:

 

emgr -e interim fixPackage

 

or

 

smit emgr