Alternate Boot Device
Alternate Boot Device:
How do I ...
NOTE: The shell script bkup is a wrapper for the AIX shell script alt_disk_install. If POSSE and SSI are installed and set up correctly, you can run bkup to create the alternate boot device. However, during server setup you will need to create the NORMAL boot disk. AIX will be installed on hdisk0 by default. DS standards for AIX boot disks are, hdisk0 (alt_boot), hdisk1 (rootvg), hdisk2 (mirror of root_vg), so after all software is installed on hdisk0 use alt_disk_install to clone to hdisk1.
Determine if there is currently an alternate boot device
lsvg (Note: Should see altinst_rootvg if booted normally or old_rootvg if booted from alternate boot disk)
Determine the current boot device
bootinfo -b
usage: bootinfo { -a | -b | -B device | -c | -d | -e | -k | -L | -M | -m | -o disk | -p | -q device | -r | -s diskname [ -P 0 ] |-t | -T | -y | -z }
View the boot list
bootlist -m normal -o (NOTE: Don't forget the -o or you will blank out the bootlist!)
usage: bootlist [ { -m Mode } [ -r ] [ -o ] [ [ -i ] | [ [ -f File ] [ Device [ Attr=Value ... ] ... ] ] ]
Set the boot list
bootlist -m normal hdisk# hdisk#…
Create the alternate boot disk
smit alt_clone
alt_disk_install -C -P all -B hdisk#
NOTE: Make sure you reset the boot list after command is run, since it will be reset to the current boot device ONLY!:
bootlist -m normal hdisk# hdisk#…
usage: alt_disk_install {-d device | -C} [-i image.data] [-s script ] [-R resolv_conf] [-D] [-B] [-V] [-r]
[-p platform ] [-L mksysb_level ]
[-b bundle_name ] [-I installp_flags ]
[-l images_location ] [-f fix_bundle ]
[-F fixes ] [-e exclude_list ] [-w filesets ]
[-n] [-P phase_option ] target_disks...
Remove the alternate boot device
When a alternate boot device is removed, the only thing that is removed is the ODM reference, NOT the data. A system can still be booted from the disk if the disk has not been added to another volume group. If this command is run in error, just run alt_disk_install -W hdisk# then alt_disk_install -S to recreate ODM data.
alt_disk_install -X (removes ODM data)
NOTE: If removing a alternate boot device with a name other than altinst_rootvg, the volume group name must be given.
alt_disk_install -X old_rootvg
Recreate the alternate boot disk (sync)
First, remove the alternate boot device name form ODM.
alt_disk_install -X
NOTE: If removing an alternate boot device with a name other than altinst_rootvg, the volume group name must be given.
alt_disk_install -X old_rootvg
After the name has been remove, execute the command to create.
alt_disk_install -C -P all -B hdisk#
Mount the alternate boot device
alt_disk_install -W hdisk# (would be hdisk0 for alternate boot disk)
All filesystems will be available under /alt_inst
Unmount the alternate boot device
alt_disk_install -S (NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN THE ROOT DIRECTORY BEFORE EXECUTING THIS COMMAND!!)
Rename an alternate boot device
alt_disk_install -v new_name
Booting to the alternate boot with failed primary, assuming system halted
Connect with conmon
Hit enter top activate SMS menu
Select power control and power on system
When you set the words
memory keyboard network scsi speaker ….
Pay close attention, you must press the 1 key at the top of the keyboard as soon as you see the word "keyboard". You only have a second or two to accomplish this or the system will proceed to boot.
If you got it, the System Management Services menu will load after a minute or so.
RS/6000 Firmware
Version SST99229
(c) Copyright IBM Corp. 1997 All rights reserved.
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System Management Services
1 Display Configuration
2 Multiboot
3 Utilities
4 Select Language
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