Re: How to access SMS and OpenFirmware (ie install Linux) on an i5?

Le 06/04/2023 à 23:52, Stuart MacIntosh a écrit :

Thank you Marc, that does explain things!

Can anyone clarify how to install an OS without an HMC? I don't think I can afford one of those, not for a machine this old anyway.

First of all, on this kind of servers, you do not install an OS on the server, but on a *logical partition* (LPAR). So, in order to install an OS, the LPAR must be activated (to SMS for an AIX or Linux LPAR, to an alternative IPL device such as a CD/DVD drive or a tape drive for an IBM i LPAR, known as a D-mode IPL [I do not think that the POWER5 supports a network boot for IBM i]). I never dealt with a terminal based ASMI access, and the web based access is much more comfortable. You should be able access it with an RJ45 cable pluggued in the HMC1 port of the 520 (https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/sg242155.pdf chapter 2.8.6). To retrieve IP adresses of HMC1 and HMC2 port, checkout thise procedure https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/panel-function-30

Regarding the HMC which would be the best solution: in order to support a POWER5 server, you need an old version of the HMC. The highest one which works is V7R790 (https://esupport.ibm.com/customercare/flrt/matrix?domain=mtm=9406-520&pkey=pwr). AFAIK, this version does not run as a virtual machine within VMWare. It requires an IBM provided dedicated x86 server (7310-CR3, rack mounted, or 7310-C04, stand alone), which is no longer available from IBM, but maybe from some other used hardware vendors.

So your first issue is: how to activate an LPAR without an HMC?

I am aware of two tools to do so. The Virtual Partition Manager (VPM) and the Integrated Virtualization Manager (IVM). Unfortunately, VPM runs on an IBM i LPAR (https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpapers/pdfs/redp4013.pdf), and IVM on a VIOS. Those LPARs must be available and started on your server.
Another way to start an LPAR is to ensure that the flag "Power on when server starts" or something similar is enabled. With that, when the server is powered on, the LPAR will start as well at the end of server's boot (which might take some time). But for that, you have to review the LPAR properties, or you have to use a server with only one LPAR set with the flag above.

I guess that you do not know the LPARs configuration on this 520, right?

So, I can suggest to try something based on this document: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power5?topic=manager-installing-integrated-virtualization-system

I am not saying that you have to install a VIOS, but that, maybe, you will get a console with an SMS menu in order to review the hardware configuration of a possibly existing AIX/Linux LPAR.

Otherwise, most (if not all) readers of this list are focusing on IBM i, and are not AIX/Linux on Power specialists. The platforms are indeed very different. IMO, you will have probably more valuable on lists/forums related to AIX/Linux on Power.

I had assumed from reading the docs an OpenFirmware console is accessible (and from there I am happy set device aliases for the LPAR and DVD drive, boot Debian etc). Is that expectation correct, and should the console appear on the same port as the ASMI menu?

FWIW I am having trouble getting this machine to start from the DVD with either the LIC disc from IBM i eval, or Debian sid (PPC) install, and the IBM standalone diagnostics won't start either (although nothing to indicate hardware faulty AFAIK).

I guess that, if there are existing LPARs, they are not started.

Thanks again for any help!

On 7/04/23 01:23, Marc Rauzier wrote:

Le 06/04/2023 à 08:02, Stuart MacIntosh a écrit :

Hello, I got a System i5 machine here I want to get going, model 9406-520 (POWER5).

Sorry if this is a dumb question (new to this platform!) but how do I access the SMS and OpenFirmware menus? Reading the IBM docs, this is how to setup LPARs and then install the i OS or AIX/Linux, is that correct?

Correct for AIX and Linux, but not for IBM i. There is no SMS feature for IBM i. There is always the need to boot (IPL) from a device, that the partition/system must be able to read, which provides a microcode (LIC). This can be from a CD/DVD, a tape or a network location through bootp and tftp.

Using the ASMI menu via ASCII terminal on port A at 19200,8,N,1 which works OK, but no SMS or OF menu appears after setting the boot mode to SMS or OF. Should I expect it to appear on this same port or is an HMC or some other tool necessary?

Thanks for any help!

With an HMC, this is quite easy, but without I cannot say.
Does this help? https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power5?topic=msms-starting-system-management-services

Stuart.