Basics

BOS INSTALL:

The following installation methods are available on AIX:

New and Complete OverwriteThis method installs AIX 6.1 on a new machine or completely overwrites any BOS version that exists on your system.

PreservationThis method replaces an earlier version of the BOS but retains the root volume group, the user-created logical volumes, and the /home file system. The system file systems /usr, /var, /tmp, /opt, and / (root) are overwritten. Product (application) files and configuration data stored in these file systems will be lost. Information stored in other non-system file systems will be preserved.

MigrationThe migration installation method is used to upgrade from an existing version or release of AIX to a later version or release of AIX. A migration installation preserves most file systems, including the root volume group, logical volumes, and system configuration files. It overwrites the /tmp file system.

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AIX PACKAGE-NAMING CONVENTION

LPP.Package.Fileset.Suffix

The standard dictates that the first part of the package name is the product name, the second is the package name, the third is the fileset name, and the fourth is the suffix that describes the contents of the fileset

LPPs (Licensed Program Product)It is a complete software product collection including all packages and filesets required. For example, the Base Operating system (bos) itself is a LPP, which in turn is a complete collection of packages and filesets

PackageA package contains a group of filesets. A package is also a single unit that can be installed. Several packages make up an LPP or product offering. For example, bos.net is a package.

Filesets A set of files that are installed together as a single unit. All licensed program products (including AIX itself) are packaged and delivered as one or more filesets. A fileset is the smallest individual unit that can be installed. It provides a specific function. For example, bos.net.tcp.nfs is a fileset in the bos.net package.

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SOFTWARE UPDATE:

5.3.0.0V.R.M.F <-- Version.Release.Modification.Fix

TL (Technology Level, earlier ML: Maintainance Level)A TL contains new hardware and software features and service updates, all requisites are added to it, so that the whole TL is installed.

SP (Service Pack)A Service Pack (SP) consists of service-only updates that are released between Technology Levels to be grouped together for easier identification.

CSP (Concluding Service Pack) CSP is the last Service Pack for a Technology Level

APAR (Authorized Program Analysis Report)IBM acknowledges that there is some sort of defect in a software program. An APAR is a number used to identify reported problems and it sums up the problem and instructs the software lab to fix it. A fix to an APAR can be made up of one or more fileset updates. (IXnnnnn or IYnnnnn number - and not long ago IZnnnnn) --> instfix

PTF (Program Temporary Fix)A PTF is a Program Temporary Fix and provides a solution for a problem. (Unnnnnn number for AIX) I guess the U is for UNIX) --> instfix

INTERIM FIX (efix, ifix)It's a temporary correction -->emgr

Most people use PTF and APAR interchangably. PTF's have the word temporary in them but really are not temporary, they are just a patch. A temporary patch would be an efix (ifix) that you would get directly from IBM. Ifixes need to be uninstalled before a TL update (as these ifixes should be contained in the new TL level). The terminology is confusing but just think of both PTF's and APAR's as patches. There could be some sort of technical difference between the two but it doesn't really matter.

Starting in AIX 5.3 TL 10 and AIX 6.1 TL 3, the installp command will automatically remove an ifix from the system if you are installing the Technology Level, Service Pack, or PTF that provides the official fix for the problem.

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Install terminology:

In order to support diskless or dataless client workstations, machine-specific portions of the package (the root part) must be separated from the machine-shareable portions of the package (the usr part).

root partThe root part of the software contains files that must be installed on the target system. It contains the part of the

product that cannot be shared among machines. Each client must have its own copy.

usr partThe object classes in this repository can be shared across the network by /usr clients, dataless and diskless workstations. Software installed in the /usr-part can be shared among several machines with compatible hardware architectures.

prereqA prerequisite indicates that the specified fileset must be installed at the specified fileset level or at a higher level before the current fileset can install successfully.

coreq A corequisite indicates that the specified fileset must be installed for the current fileset to function successfully. At the end of the installation process, the installp command issues warning messages for any corequisites that are not met. A corequisite can be used to indicate requisites between filesets within the same package. (filesets listed as coreq must be installed at the same time as the fileset what we want to install)

ifreqThe (InstalledFilesetLevel) parameter is optional. For example, if the RequiredFilesetLevel is 4.1.1.1 and no InstalledFilesetLevel parameter is supplied, the InstalledFilesetLevel is 4.1.1.0. If the RequiredFilesetLevel is 4.1.1.0 and no InstalledFilesetLevel parameter is supplied, the InstalledFilesetLevel is 4.1.0.0.

instreqAn installed requisite indicates that the specified fileset should be installed automatically only if its corresponding fileset is already installed or is on the list of filesets to install. An installed requisite also is installed if the user explicitly requests that it be installed.

Group RequisiteA group requisite indicates that different requisite conditions can satisfy the requisite. A group requisite can contain prerequisites, corequisites, if-requisites, and nested group requisites. The Number preceding the { RequisiteExpressionList } identifies how many of the items in the RequisiteExpressionList are required. For example, >2 states that at least three items in the RequisiteExpressionList are required.

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Example #1 (prereq, coreq, ifreq):

Fileset new.fileset.rte 1.1.0.0 contains the following requisites:

*prereq database.rte 1.2.0.0*coreq spreadsheet.rte 1.3.1.0*ifreq wordprocessorA.rte (4.1.0.0) 4.1.1.1*ifreq wordprocessorB.rte 4.1.1.1

The database.rte fileset must be installed at level 1.2.0.0 or higher before the new.fileset.rte fileset can be installed. If database.rte and new.fileset.rte are installed in the same installation session, the installation program installs the

database fileset before the new.fileset.rte fileset.

The spreadsheet.rte fileset must be installed at level 1.3.1.0 or higher for the new.fileset.rte fileset to function properly. The spreadsheet.rte fileset does not need to be installed before the new.fileset.rte fileset is installed, provided both are installed in the same installation session. If an adequate level of the spreadsheet.rte fileset is not installed by the end of the installation session, a warning message will be issued stating that the corequisite is not met.

If the wordprocessorA.rte fileset is installed (or being installed with new.fileset.rte) at level 4.1.0.0, then the wordprocessorA.rte fileset update must be installed at level 4.1.1.1 or higher.

If the wordprocessorB.rte fileset is installed (or being installed with new.fileset.rte) at level 4.1.1.0, then the wordprocessorB.rte fileset update must be installed at level 4.1.1.1 or higher.

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Example #2 (instreq):

Fileset Super.msg.fr_FR.Widget at level 2.1.0.0 contains the following install requisite:

*instreq Super.Widget 2.1.0.0

The Super.msg.fr_FR.Widget fileset cannot be installed automatically when the Super.Widget fileset is not installed. The Super.msg.fr_FR.Widget fileset can be installed when the Super.Widget fileset is not installed if the fileset is listed explicitly on the list of filesets to be installed..

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Example #3 (group reqisite):

At least one of the prerequisite filesets listed must be installed (both can be installed). If installed, the spreadsheet_1.rte fileset must be at level 1.2.0.0 or higher or the spreadsheet_2.rte fileset must be at level 1.3.0.0 or higher.

>0 {*prereq spreadsheet_1.rte 1.2.0.0*prereq spreadsheet_2.rte 1.3.0.0}

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Supersede

A newer fileset supersedes any older version of that fileset.

For example, the fileset update farm.apps.hog 4.1.0.1 delivers an update of /usr/sbin/sellhog. Fileset update farm.apps.hog 4.1.0.3 delivers updates to the/usr/sbin/sellhog file and the /etc/hog file. Fileset update farm.apps.hog 4.1.1.2 delivers an update to the /usr/bin/raisehog file.

Update farm.apps.hog 4.1.0.3 supersedes farm.apps.hog 4.1.0.1 because it delivers the same files and applies to the same level, farm.apps.hog 4.1.0.0.

Update farm.apps.hog 4.1.1.2 does not supersede either farm.apps.hog 4.1.0.3 or farm.apps.hog 4.1.0.1 because it does not contain the same files and applies to a different level, farm.apps.hog 4.1.1.0. Update farm.apps.hog 4.1.1.0 supersedes farm.apps.hog 4.1.0.1 and farm.apps.hog 4.1.0.3.

COMMANDS:

oslevel                             shows the actual BOS leveloslevel -r   shows the TL level (or earlier ML)oslevel -s   shows what SP level installedoslevel -sg 5300-09-01-0847       shows which fileset is greater than the given service pack (it is used with bos.rte.install)oslevel -rl 5300-10  shows which filesets on the system are below the given TL level (TL level is from instfix -i | grep ML)oslevel -sl 53-09-020849 shows which filesets are below the given servicepack (used after bos.rte.install has been updated)

------------------------------bffcreate -ld <dir> shows info about the packages in a dir (I:install, U:updatte package) bffcreate -c -d /bb1 it will change the bff name from U#### to normal fileset name in bb1 !!!overwrites original bff!!!------------------------------

installp -aF -d . perfagent.tools installs perfagent.tools (a:applys the sofware, F:force, d:device) (-axgd: x:extend fs, g:installs prerequisites also)installp -aF -d /home/bb/bb1 all it is the sam as above with full pathinstallp -apXY -d . bos.rte.install installs a fileset (a:apply, p:preview, X:extend fs if needed, Y:accepts license agreements)installp -aXY -d . bos.rte.install

installp -s list of applied updates that can be committed or rejectedinstallp -C  remove all files which were installed in failed stateinstallp -ld /dev/cd0 list what installable software is available on a device (cd rom)installp -ld <file.bff> lists what filesets are in the given bff fileinstallp -u <fileset> removes a fileset (installp -ug <fileset> <--it will remove dependencies as well)

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install_all_updates -pcYd . preview of updateinstall_all_updates -cYd . actually does the update/var/adm/ras/install_all_updates.log here is the logfile of install_all_updates

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instfix -i|grep ML (instfix -i|grep TL) shows whether all filesets are installed

instfix -i | grep SPinstfix -icqk 5300-05_AIX_ML| grep ":-:" shows missing software levelsinstfix -ik IY24043 shows if a fix (APAR) is installed on the system (instfix -ivk ... <--verbose mode)instfix -k IY73748 -d /dev/cd0 install APAR iY733748 from /dev/cd0

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lslpp -L  displays info about all installed filesets or fileset updateslslpp -L <fileset> displays info about that filesetlslpp -h <fileset>  shows the history of the filesetlslpp -l | grep <fileset> shows if it is installed or notlslpp -lc| grep <fileset> shows the state (Aplp., Comm., Broken..) in /etc/objrepos and in /usr/lib/objrepos of a fileset

lslpp -f <fileset>  shows all files that are installed with a particular filesetlslpp -w /usr/local/bin/lsof shows the fileset which contains the given file (binary) (which command shows full path: which lsof)

lslpp -p <fileset>  shows requisite information for a specified fileset (-p means possibly prerequisite)lslpp -d <fileset>   shows filesets that are dependents on the specified fileset

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lppchk -v verify the installed software is in consistent statelppchk -v -m3                       if lppchk -v gives an error, with this we can get more info about itlppchk -c -m3 makes a checksum on the filesets as well------------------------------

smitty install software installation and maintenance menusmitty update_all   update installed software to latest levelsmitty remove   removing installed softwaresmitty reject  removes applied filesetssmitty commit   commits softwaressmitty software_maintain many functions like reject, commit...

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restore -Tqvf EMCpower_install show which files will be changed by the fileset /usr/lpp/PackageName here are the previous version of the updates which are in applied state (not commited yet) inutoc <path> creates a .toc file in the given pathldd /root/gzip lists the path names of all dependencies (lists dynamic dependencies)which_fileset <command> searches the /usr/lpp/bos/AIX_file_list file for a specified file name or command/usr/lib/instl/lppmgr -d /nim/5304 -rub the directory will be checked and all duplicate filesets will be removed (-r: remove, -u:check update filesets, -b: check base level filesets)multibos http://www.ibmsystemsmag.com/aix/aprilmay08/tipstechniques/20226p1.aspx

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INSTFIX CORRECTION:

1. instfix -i | grep ML All filesets for 5.3.0.0_AIX_ML were found. All filesets for 5300-01_AIX_ML were found. All filesets for 5300-04_AIX_ML were found. Not all filesets for 5300-05_AIX_ML were found. ...2. instfix -vick 5300-05_AIX_ML | grep :-: (instfix -icqk 5300-05_AIX_ML | grep ":-:" <--this command was used in the NIM redbook)

5300-05_AIX_ML:X11.adt.motif:5.3.0.50:5.3.0.0:-:AIX 5300-05 Update <-- shows what is missing

3.lslpp -L X11.adt.motif <-- shows if it is installed and what is the current version Fileset Level State Type Description (Uninstaller) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X11.adt.motif 5.3.0.0 C F AIXwindows Application Development Toolkit Motif

4. if we have found it in a dir: installp -l -d . Fileset Name Level I/U Q Content ==================================================================== X11.adt.motif 5.3.0.50 S N usr <--shows if reboot needed after install (N= not affected, no reboot) (Y and B: it affects the currently running programs) (B and b: causes bosboot to occur + reboot is needed)

5. smitty update_all (or smitty install)

6. now it is OK: instfix -i | grep ML All filesets for 5.3.0.0_AIX_ML were found. All filesets for 5300-01_AIX_ML were found. All filesets for 5300-04_AIX_ML were found. All filesets for 5300-05_AIX_ML were found.---------------------------------------------------------------------

FIXING FILESETS in ODM:

lppchk -v shows problems with a fileset and you don't want to remove it:

devices.common.IBM.iscsi.rte 5.2.0.0 (not installed; requisite fileset)

1. save ODM

tar -cvf /tmp/odm.etc.tar /etc/objrepos tar -cvf /tmp/odm.usr.lib.tar /usr/lib/objrepos

2. check lpp_id odmget -q name=devices.common.IBM.iscsi.rte lpp output will show lpp_id: ... lpp_id = 355

3. delete from ODM odmdelete -q name=devices.common.IBM.iscsi.rte -o lpp odmdelete -q lpp_name=devices.common.IBM.iscsi.rte -o product odmdelete -q lpp_id="355" -o history odmdelete -q lpp_id="355" -o inventory

4. reinstall base fileset with force flag (then update) installp -aF -d /home/bb/bb1 all

IFIX:

An interim fix, or ifix (previously called an emergency fix or efix) is a code update to resolve a specific known problem, or APAR, while an official PTF is undergoing the formal development process.

An APAR is an Authorized Problem Analysis Report. IBM acknowledges that there is some sort of defect in a software program. This report sums up the problem and instructs the software lab to fix it. (IXnnnnn or IYnnnnn number - and not long ago IZnnnnn)

A PTF is a Program Temporary Fix and provides a solution for a problem. (Unnnnnn number for AIX) I guess the U is for UNIX).

Most people use PTF and APAR interchangably. PTF's have the word temporary in them but really are not temporary, they are just a patch. A temporary patch would be an efix (ifix) that you would get directly from IBM. Ifixes need to be uninstalled before a TL update (as these ifixes should be contained in the new TL level). The terminology is confusing but just think of both PTF's and APAR's as patches. There could be some sort of technical difference between the two but it doesn't really matter.

Starting in AIX 5.3 TL 10 and AIX 6.1 TL 3, the installp command will automatically remove an ifix from the system if you are installing the Technology Level, Service Pack, or PTF that provides the official fix for the problem.

more info: http://www-304.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1012104

install:emgr -de /mnt/IZ12345.epkg.Z displays some info about an ifix package (-e: e(i)fix package name; emgr -dv3 -e <ifix>: verbose output)emgr -pe /mnt/IZ12345.epkg.Z preview of the install of given ifix packageemgr -e /mnt/IZ12345.epkg.Z installs the specified ifix (the ifix package should be in compressed state)

listing:emgr -l  lists interim fixes (emgr -lv3: verbose mode listing)emgr -l -L IZ12345 you can list information about a specific installed ifix by running the command (v3 (verbose) can be used)emgr -c -L ifix_label an ifix can be verified by running the command (if -L <ifix> is omitted all installed ifixes are checked)

removal:emgr -r -L iy77276 removes the given interim fixemgr -r -n 1 removes the specified interim fix with the given ID (ID can be obtained: emgr -lv3)emgr -r -u VUID  removes the specified interim fix with the given VUID (VUID can be obtained: emgr -lv3)

You can also specify different levels of verbosity by using the -v flag. Level 1 is the default and level 3 is the maximum.(I usually use v3.)

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Concurrent ifix

A concurrent ifix is initially installed to memory, then is optionally committed to disk, either at the time of installation, or at a later time. A concurrent ifix that is installed only in memory will not be loaded when the system reboots. Concurrent ifixes may also be installed in the traditional manner.

A concurrent ifix: -a feature introduced in AIX 6.1, may be available for ifixes which fix a problem in the kernel, or certain kernel extensions. -it can update the kernel or kernel extension in memory, without requiring a reboot. -it is initially installed to memory, then is optionally committed to disk, either at the time of installation, or at a later time. -if it is installed only in memory will not be loaded when the system reboots.

emgr -i IZ12345.epkg.Z installs a concurrent ifix in memory only (the ifix will not be loaded when the system reboots)emgr -C -L IZ12345   commits a fix that is only installed in memory to disk, allowing it to be loaded when the system rebootsemgr -Ci IZ12345.epkg.Z  installs an ifix in memory and commit it to disk in a single operation

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ifix states

S = Stable ifix was successfully installed in the traditional way (using the -e flag)Q = Reboot Required ifix was installed successfully, but a reboot is required. After reboot it will be moved to the S stateP = Patched concurrent ifix has been installed only to memory. A reboot will clear the ifix from memory.

N = Not Patched concurrent ifix is not loaded in memory (conc. ifix is installed only in memory, then system was rebooted)SP = Stable + Patched concurrent ifix has been installed in memory and committed to diskQP = Reboot Required + Patched concurrent ifix was installed to memory and committed to disk, but the system has not been rebootedB = Broken something has gone wrong with the installation or removal of the ifix and should be corrected