Unit 5

AIX software
installation and maintenance

Copyright IBM Corporation 2009

Course materials may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written permission of IBM.

5.2

Unit objectives
IBM Power Systems

After completing this unit, you should be able to:

Define the package definitions and naming conventions
Understand AIX software levels and states
Determine the current installed level of the OS and individual filesets

Identify how software products and updates are installed and

managed on the system
Recover from broken and inconsistent software states
How to download fixes using Fix Central and SUMA
Identify if all the components in the Power and AIX
environment are compatible and supported

AIX media
IBM Power Systems

AIX

AI X AI X

AI X
A IX

A IX

AI X

AIX 6.1 Base (DVD or CD)

+ update CDs
AIX 6.1 Expansion Pack
AIX 6.1 Infocenter

AI X

AIX Toolbox for Linux

A IX

Mozilla Firefox Browser

AIX

Software packaging definitions

IBM Power Systems

LPP
Base Operating
System Component

bos
bos.net
bos.net.tcp

Package
Base Networking
package
TCP/IP collection
of filesets

bos.net.tcp.server
Fileset
TCP/IP Server fileset
the smallest unit

Software bundles
IBM Power Systems

A bundle is a collection of packages and filesets suited for a particular

environment
There are many predefined system bundles in AIX which include:
AllDevicesKernels
Alt_Disk_Install
openssh_client and openssh_server

Full list in /usr/sys/inst.data/sys_bundles. Example:

## /usr/sys/inst.data/sys_bundles
/usr/sys/inst.data/sys_bundles ## cat
cat openssh_server.bnd
openssh_server.bnd
## MEDIA="Expansion
MEDIA="Expansion Pack"
Pack"
I:openssl.base
I:openssl.base
I:openssl.man.en_US
I:openssl.man.en_US
I:openssh.base.server
I:openssh.base.server
I:openssh.man.en_US
I:openssh.man.en_US

AIX software levels

IBM Power Systems
There are four distinct software levels and management for AIX.
Base level
Technology level (TL)
Service pack (SP)
Interim fixes

Fix Packs
Base
AIX Level

Technology
level

Service packs

(Contain APARs)

Interim
fixes

What is my AIX version?

IBM Power Systems

To obtain the AIX level, use the oslevel command.

## oslevel
oslevel -s
-s
6100-02-01-0847
6100-02-01-0847
Service Pack
Release date
for example, 47th week
in 2008

AIX Level
VRMF
Service Pack
Technology
Level

To upgrade from one AIX version and release to another, for example,
AIX 5.3 to AIX 6.1, a migration must be performed.
New TLs or SPs are applied through updates.

Software installation and maintenance

IBM Power Systems

All aspects of software installation and maintenance can be

performed from SMIT, the command line, or systems director
console.
Command line interaction:
lslpp: lists installed software
installp: traditional AIX command for installing and maintaining
LPP packages
rpm: redhat Linux command for installing and maintaining rpm
filesets (part of the AIX Linux affinity introduced in AIX 5L)
geninstall: a generic installer that installs software of various
package formats: LPP, RPM, and ISMP.

Software repository
IBM Power Systems

A location on disk which contains AIX software

Default image directory is: /usr/sys/inst.images
AIX filesets require a .toc file

To copy software, for example from an AIX CD to disk, use the

SMIT facility, copy software to hard disk for future installation (or the
AIX command, bffcreate)
Copy
Copy Software
Software to
to Hard
Hard Disk
Disk for
for Future
Future Installation
Installation
** INPUT
INPUT device
device // directory
directory for
for software
software
** SOFTWARE
package
to
copy
SOFTWARE package to copy
** DIRECTORY
DIRECTORY for
for storing
storing software
software package
package
[/usr/sys/inst.images]
[/usr/sys/inst.images]
DIRECTORY
DIRECTORY for
for temporary
temporary storage
storage during
during copying
copying
EXTEND
file
systems
if
space
needed?
EXTEND file systems if space needed?
Process
Process multiple
multiple volumes?
volumes?

[Entry
[Entry Fields]
Fields]
/dev/cd0
/dev/cd0
[all]
++
[all]
[/tmp]
[/tmp]
yes
yes
yes
yes

++

Software states
IBM Power Systems

The base installation of software is always in a committed

state.
Committed is a permanent state

When updates are installed, they can be either applied or

committed.
Applied software can later be rejected or committed.
bos.net.tcp.adt
6.1.1.1

Action: Install & Commit

6.1.1.1
Committed

AI X

6.1.1.1 Saved
bos.net.tcp.adt
6.1.1.2
AI X

Action: Apply
6.1.1.2 Applied

Reject
or
Commit

6.1.1.1
Committed

6.1.1.2
Committed

Software listing and versioning

IBM Power Systems

Software listing is done with the lslpp command.

## lslpp
lslpp -L
-L |grep
|grep bos.net.tcp.server
bos.net.tcp.server
bos.net.tcp.server
6.1.1.1
CC
bos.net.tcp.server
6.1.1.1
Version Release
AIX Migration

FF

Modification Fix
smit update_all

State
State codes:
codes:
AA --- Applied.
Applied.
BB --- Broken.
Broken.
CC --- Committed.
Committed.
EE --- EFIX
EFIX Locked.
Locked.
OO -Obsolete.
-- Obsolete. (partially
(partially migrated
migrated to
to newer
newer version)
version)
?? --- Inconsistent
Inconsistent State...Run
State...Run lppchk
lppchk -v.
-v.
Type
Type codes:
codes:
FF --- Installp
Installp Fileset
Fileset
PP -Product
-- Product
CC --- Component
Component
TT --- Feature
Feature
RR --- RPM
RPM Package
Package
EE -Interim
-- Interim Fix
Fix

TCP/IP
TCP/IP Server
Server

C & F are State

and Type
codes.

lslpp, filesets and files

IBM Power Systems

Switches -f and -w are very useful lslpp flags.

List files in an
LPP fileset.

## lslpp
lslpp -f
-f alex.grumpy.rte
alex.grumpy.rte
Fileset
File
Fileset
File
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Path:
Path: /usr/lib/objrepos
/usr/lib/objrepos
alex.grumpy.rte
alex.grumpy.rte 1.0.0.5
1.0.0.5
/usr/local/grumpy/grumpyrecovery
/usr/local/grumpy/grumpyrecovery
/usr/local/grumpy/README
/usr/local/grumpy/README
/usr/local/grumpy/grumpystart
/usr/local/grumpy/grumpystart
/usr/sbin/gfunctions
/usr/sbin/gfunctions
/usr/local/grumpy/grumpycheck
/usr/local/grumpy/grumpycheck
/usr/local/grumpy/grumpystop
/usr/local/grumpy/grumpystop

## lslpp
lslpp -w
-w /usr/local/grumpy/grumpystart
/usr/local/grumpy/grumpystart
File
Fileset
Type
File
Fileset
Type
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------/usr/local/grumpy/grumpystart
alex.grumpy.rte
File
/usr/local/grumpy/grumpystart
alex.grumpy.rte
File

To which
fileset does a
file belong?

Installing new software using SMIT

IBM Power Systems

smit install_all
Install
Install and
and Update
Update from
from ALL
ALL Available
Available Software
Software
Type
Type or
or select
select values
values in
in entry
entry fields.
fields.
Press
Press Enter
Enter AFTER
AFTER making
making all
all desired
desired changes.
changes.
** INPUT
INPUT device
device // directory
directory for
for software
software
** SOFTWARE
to
install
SOFTWARE to install
PREVIEW
PREVIEW only?
only? (install
(install operation
operation will
will NOT
NOT occur)
occur)
COMMIT
software
updates?
COMMIT software updates?
SAVE
SAVE replaced
replaced files?
files?
AUTOMATICALLY
AUTOMATICALLY install
install requisite
requisite software?
software?
EXTEND
EXTEND file
file systems
systems if
if space
space needed?
needed?
OVERWRITE
OVERWRITE same
same or
or newer
newer versions?
versions?
VERIFY
VERIFY install
install and
and check
check file
file sizes?
sizes?
DETAILED
output?
DETAILED output?
Process
Process multiple
multiple volumes?
volumes?
ACCEPT
ACCEPT new
new license
license agreements?
agreements?
Preview
Preview new
new LICENSE
LICENSE agreements?
agreements?

[Entry
[Entry Fields]
Fields]
..
[]
[]
no
no
yes
yes
no
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
yes
no
no
no
no

++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++

Installing software using command line, examples

IBM Power Systems

installp
a (apply), -c (commit), -p (preview), -g (apply prerequites), -X (expand
filesystems, if needed), -Y (accept license agreements), -d (device or
directory location of software)
## installp
installp -acpgXYd
-acpgXYd .. bos.rte.install
bos.rte.install
## installp
-acpgXYd
installp -acpgXYd /TL02_SP01
/TL02_SP01 all
all

geninstall
I (use installp flags, as described above), -p (preview), -d (device or
directory location of software)
## geninstall
geninstall -I
-I "-acgXY"
"-acgXY" -p
-p -d
-d .. bos.rte.install
bos.rte.install
## geninstall
-I
"-acgXY"
-p
-d
geninstall -I "-acgXY" -p -d /TL02_SP01
/TL02_SP01 all
all

Red Hat Package Manager filesets

IBM Power Systems

IBM provides strong Linux affinity within AIX

Many useful packages for AIX come in RPM format
Developed by Redhat, now used in many Linux flavors
Examples (included within the Linux Toolbox for AIX):
cdrecord
mkiosfs
apache
bash

List
packages

Remove
package
without
dependencies

## rpm
rpm qa
qa
## rpm
rpm --nodeps
--nodeps -e
-e cairo-1.0.2-6
cairo-1.0.2-6
## rpm
rpm -i
-i bash-3.2-1.aix.ppc.rpm
bash-3.2-1.aix.ppc.rpm

Install
package

Applying patches to the system

IBM Power Systems

Ideally, all systems should be at the latest fix pack (TL and SP level).
IBM recommends installing the complete fix pack.
System updates can be applied through smit update_all or using
geninstall or installp commands.
Some items
removed for
clarity

smitty update_all
smitty update_all
* INPUT device / directory for software
* INPUT device / directory for software
* SOFTWARE to update
* SOFTWARE to update
PREVIEW only? (update operation will NOT occur)
PREVIEW only? (update operation will NOT occur)
COMMIT software updates?
COMMIT software updates?
SAVE replaced files?
SAVE replaced files?

/updates
/updates
_update_all
_update_all
yes
yes
no
no
yes
yes

+
+
+
+

Updates can first be applied, then committed at a later time.

This enables you to roll back if needed.
Once software is committed there is no going back without removal and reinstall.

Applying patches, apply, commit, reject

IBM Power Systems

installp, example:
## lslpp
lslpp -L
-L |grep
|grep -i
-i cluster
cluster |grep
|grep pdf
pdf
cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf
cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf 5.4.0.0
5.4.0.0

CC

FF

HAES
HAES PDF
PDF Documentation
Documentation

FF

HAES
HAES PDF
PDF Documentation
Documentation

## installp
installp -aB
-aB -d
-d .. cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf
cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf
## lslpp
lslpp -L
-L |grep
|grep -i
-i cluster
cluster |grep
|grep pdf
pdf
cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf
cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf 5.4.1.0
5.4.1.0

AA

Apply
Update
(-aB)

Note:
Note: installp
installp s
s ## will
will list
list all
all Applied
Applied software
software on
on the
the system
system
Reject

(-r)

## installp
installp r
r cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf
cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf
## lslpp
lslpp -L
-L |grep
|grep -i
-i cluster
cluster |grep
|grep pdf
pdf
cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf
cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf 5.4.0.0
5.4.0.0

OR
OR
## installp
installp c
c all
all

CC

FF

HAES
HAES PDF
PDF Documentation
Documentation

Commitall
Applied
software(c)

Installation
Installation Summary
Summary
--------------------------------------Name
Level
Part
Event
Result
Name
Level
Part
Event
Result
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf
5.4.1.0
USR
COMMIT
SUCCESS
cluster.doc.en_US.es.pdf
5.4.1.0
USR
COMMIT
SUCCESS

Listing fixes (APARs) installed on the system

IBM Power Systems

TLs and SPs apply fixes (APARs) to AIX

You can list these fixes with the instfix command.
instfix is useful for listing and searching through applied
updates on the system.
## instfix
instfix i
i
All
All filesets
filesets for
for IY32852
IY32852 were
were found.
found.
All
filesets
for
IY14691
All filesets for IY14691 were
were found.
found.
All
All filesets
filesets for
for IY31312
IY31312 were
were found.
found.
All
filesets
for
IY31879
were
found.
All filesets for IY31879 were found.
All
All filesets
filesets for
for IY34538
IY34538 were
were found.
found.

2244
2244 lines
lines removed
removed for
for clarity
clarity .
.
## instfix
instfix -i
-i |grep
|grep IY34981
IY34981
All
filesets
All filesets for
for IY34981
IY34981 were
were found.
found.

Interim fixes between services packs, including service

advisories, is now done through interim fix management.
emgr command

Interim fix management

IBM Power Systems

Preview
Install

## emgr
emgr -pe
-pe 744A_610.071105.epkg.Z
744A_610.071105.epkg.Z
.lot
.lot of
of output
output is
is produced,
produced, removed
removed for
for clarity!
clarity!
EPKG
LABEL
OPERATION
EPKG NUMBER
NUMBER
LABEL
OPERATION
===========
==============
=================
===========
==============
=================
11
744A_610
INSTALL
744A_610
INSTALL PREVIEW
PREVIEW

RESULT
RESULT
==============
==============
SUCCESS
SUCCESS

Install
ifix

## emgr
emgr -e
-e 744A_610.071105.epkg.Z
744A_610.071105.epkg.Z

List
installed
efixes

## emgr
emgr -l
-l

ID
INSTALL
ABSTRACT
ID STATE
STATE LABEL
LABEL
INSTALL TIME
TIME
ABSTRACT
===
=== =====
===== ==========
========== ==================
================== ======================================
======================================
11 *Q*
*Q* 744A_610
744A_610 10/10/08
10/10/08 23:30:49
23:30:49 Kernel
Kernel fix
fix for
for 0744A_610
0744A_610
## emgr
emgr r
r L
L 744A_610
744A_610
Log
Log file
file is
is /var/adm/ras/emgr.log
/var/adm/ras/emgr.log
EFIX
EFIX NUMBER
NUMBER
===========
===========
11

LABEL
LABEL
==============
==============
744A_610
744A_610

Remove
ifix
OPERATION
OPERATION
=================
=================
REMOVE
REMOVE

RESULT
RESULT
==============
==============
SUCCESS
SUCCESS

ATTENTION:
ATTENTION: system
system reboot
reboot is
is required.
required. Please
Please see
see the
the "Reboot
"Reboot Processing"
Processing"
sections
in
the
output
above
or
in
the
/var/adm/ras/emgr.log
sections in the output above or in the /var/adm/ras/emgr.log file.
file.
Return
Return Status
Status == SUCCESS
SUCCESS

Removing installed software

IBM Power Systems

smit remove
Remove
Remove Installed
Installed Software
Software
** SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE name
name
PREVIEW
PREVIEW only?
only? (remove
(remove operation
operation will
will NOT
NOT occur)
occur)
REMOVE
dependent
REMOVE dependent software?
software?
EXTEND
EXTEND file
file systems
systems if
if space
space needed?
needed?
DETAILED
DETAILED output?
output?

[Entry
[Entry Fields]
Fields]
[cluster.es.cspoc.cmds]
[cluster.es.cspoc.cmds]
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no

++
++
++
++
++

Removing software from the command line

Remove the firefox web browser
## installp
installp -u
-u Firefox.base.rte
Firefox.base.rte

(Preview) Remove all X11 software with associated prerequisites

## installp
installp -upg
-upg X11*
X11*

Recovering from broken or inconsistent states

IBM Power Systems

To list broken or inconsistent filesets, use the lppchk

command.
## lslpp
lslpp -L
-L |grep
|grep Firefox.base.rte
Firefox.base.rte
Firefox.base.rte
1.5.0.12
Firefox.base.rte
1.5.0.12

??

FF

Firefox
Firefox Web
Web Browser
Browser

Look for ?
or B.
## lppchk
lppchk -v
-v
lppchk:
lppchk: The
The following
following filesets
filesets need
need to
to be
be installed
installed or
or corrected
corrected to
to bring
bring
the
the system
system to
to aa consistent
consistent state:
state:
Firefox.base.rte
Firefox.base.rte 1.5.0.12
1.5.0.12

(APPLYING)
(APPLYING)

Display
inconsistent
filesets.

## installp
installp -C
-C
installp:
installp: Cleaning
Cleaning up
up software
software for:
for:
Firefox.base.rte
Firefox.base.rte 1.5.0.12
1.5.0.12

Perform a clean-up
operation. Fileset is
removed

Installation
Installation Summary
Summary
--------------------------------------Name
Level
Part
Event
Result
Name
Level
Part
Event
Result
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Firefox.base.rte
1.5.0.12
USR
CLEANUP
SUCCESS
Firefox.base.rte
1.5.0.12
USR
CLEANUP
SUCCESS

Service update management assistant

IBM Power Systems

Excellent tool for downloading fixes

Optional. Tasks can be automated OR driven by ksh scripts

Access: smit suma

Can be used to download

By APAR Number
By Fix Type
Technology Level(s)
Service Pack(s)
All Latest Fixes
Individual Filesets

Internet access must available from the SUMA host.

Many configuration parameters
Fixserver protocols: http, https
Download protocol: ftp, http, https

SUMA base configuration

IBM Power Systems

Base configuration

# smit suma_config_base
Base
Base Configuration
Configuration

Screen
Screen output
output verbosity
verbosity
Logfile
Logfile output
output verbosity
verbosity
Notification
email
Notification email verbosity
verbosity
Remove
Remove superseded
superseded filesets
filesets on
on Clean?
Clean?
Remove
Remove duplicate
duplicate base
base levels
levels on
on Clean?
Clean?
Remove
Remove conflicting
conflicting updates
updates on
on Clean?
Clean?
Fixserver
Fixserver protocol
protocol
Download
Download protocol
protocol
Maximum
Maximum log
log file
file size
size (MB)
(MB)
Download
timeout
(seconds)
Download timeout (seconds)

[Entry
[Entry Fields]
Fields]
[Info/Warnings/Errors]
[Info/Warnings/Errors]
[Verbose]
[Verbose]
[Info/Warnings/Errors]
[Info/Warnings/Errors]
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
http
http
ftp
ftp
[1]
[1]
[180]
[180]

++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
##
##

SUMA task configuration

IBM Power Systems

Default Task Configuration

# smit suma_task_defaults

View/Change
View/Change SUMA
SUMA Task
Task Defaults
Defaults
Action
Action
Directory
Directory for
for item
item storage
storage
Type
Type of
of item
item to
to request
request
Name
of
item
to
request
Name of item to request
Level
Level of
of item
item to
to request
request
Get
Get prerequisites/corequisites?
prerequisites/corequisites?
Get
Get ifrequisites?
ifrequisites?
Get
Get superseding
superseding items?
items?
Get
items
Get items which
which fix
fix regressions?
regressions?
Repository
Repository to
to filter
filter against
against
Maintenance
Maintenance or
or Technology
Technology Level
Level to
to filter
filter against
against
System
System or
or lslpp
lslpp output
output to
to filter
filter against
against
Maximum
total
download
size
(MB)
Maximum total download size (MB)
EXTEND
EXTEND file
file systems
systems if
if space
space needed?
needed?
Maximum
Maximum file
file system
system size
size (MB)
(MB)
Notify
Notify email
email address
address

[Entry
[Entry Fields]
Fields]
[Download]
[Download]
[/aix/FIXES]
[/aix/FIXES]
[All
[All Latest
Latest Fixes]
Fixes]
[]
[]
[]
[]
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
[If
[If Available]
Available]
[/aix/FIXES]
[/aix/FIXES]
[]
[]
[localhost]
[localhost]
[-1]
[-1]
yes
yes
[-1]
[-1]
[root]
[root]

Directory to
store
downloads
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
+#
+#
++
+#
+#
++

SUMA command line execution

IBM Power Systems

SUMA command line examples:

Request
type =
service pack

Download latest service pack

## /usr/sbin/suma
/usr/sbin/suma -x
-x -a
-a RqType=SP
RqType=SP -a
-a Action=Download
Action=Download \\
-a
RqName=6100-01-01-0823'
-a RqName=6100-01-01-0823'

Download technology level 2 for AIX 6.1 on Wednesday at 11:00 PM

## /usr/sbin/suma
/usr/sbin/suma -s
-s 0
0 23
23 ** ** 3
3 -a
-a RqType=ML
RqType=ML a
a Action=Download
Action=Download \\
-a
RqName='6100-02
-a RqName='6100-02
Task
Task ID
ID 11 created.
created.
## suma
suma -l
-l

List all
scheduled
SUMA tasks

Download latest security fixes

## /usr/sbin/suma
/usr/sbin/suma -x
-x -a
-a Action=Download
Action=Download -a
-a RqType=Security
RqType=Security

Fix Central Web site

IBM Power Systems

To download AIX fixes via the internet, go to:

Fix Level Recommendation Tool

IBM Power Systems

http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/flrt/home

Checkpoint
IBM Power Systems

1. Which of the following states must your software be in, in order for you to be able
to use it? Select all that apply.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Applied state
Removed state
Install state
Commit state

2. What command is used to list all installed software on your system?

_______________
3. Which of the following can you install as an entity? Select all that apply.

a.
b.
c.
d.

ifix
LPP
Package
Bundle

4. True or False: If a problem is found with the inetd subsystem, it is possible to

download and apply a fix to bos.net.tcpip.server fileset in AIX 6.1 to correct
the problem.

Checkpoint solutions
IBM Power Systems

1.Which of the following states must your software be in, in order for you
to be able to use it? Select all that apply.
a. Applied state
b. Removed state
c. Install state
d. Commit state

2.What command is used to list all installed software on your system?

lslpp l or L

3.Which of the following can you install as an entity? Select all that apply.
a. ifix
b. LPP
c. Package
d. Bundle

4.True or False: If a problem is found with the inetd subsystem, it is

possible to download and apply a fix to bos.net.tcpip.server fileset to
correct the problem.

Exercise 5
IBM Power Systems

AIX software
installation and
maintenance

Unit summary
IBM Power Systems

Having completed this unit, you should be able to:

Define the package definitions and naming conventions
Understand AIX software levels and states
Determine the current installed level of the OS and individual filesets

Identify how software products and updates are installed and

managed on the system
Recover from broken and inconsistent software states
How to download fixes using Fix Central and SUMA
Identify if all the components in the Power and AIX environment
are compatible and supported