Readme for IBM PowerVM NovaLink 1.0.0.16

 

This is the Feb 2020 release of IBM PowerVM NovaLink.  Learn more about PowerVM NovaLink at   

·       https://ibm.biz/pvm224-novalink (Blog)

·       https://ibm.biz/novalink-kc (Knowledge Center)

 

Download of the IBM PowerVM NovaLink installation media is available at the Entitled Systems Support site (ESS).

http://www-304.ibm.com/servers/eserver/ess/OpenServlet.wss

NovaLink is entitled for download if you have a license for IBM PowerVM 

 

·       IBM PowerVM Enterprise Edition 2.2.6   5765-PVE

·       IBM PowerVM Standard Edition 2.2.6     5765-PVS

·       IBM PowerVM Linux Edition 2.2.6           5765-PVL

·       IBM PowerVM Enterprise Edition 3.1      5765-PVE

·       IBM PowerVM Standard Edition 3.1        5765-PVS

·       IBM PowerVM Linux Edition 3.1             5765-PVL

·       IBM PowerVM Enterprise Edition 3.1.1   5765-PVE

·       IBM PowerVM Standard Edition 3.1.1     5765-PVS

·       IBM PowerVM Linux Edition 3.1.1           5765-PVL

 NovaLink for KVM on Power is supported via the iBM PowerVC product.

 

Table of Contents

How to update

Changes in 1.0.0.16

Known Issues (PowerVM and KVM on Power)

PowerVM

KVM on Power

Installation

Software Life Cycle

 

Supported OS

Following releases are supported with latest Novalink 1.0.016

·      Ubuntu : Ubuntu 16.04

·      RHEL : RHEL7.6 + (Power9), RHEL 7.7

 

How to update

Fixes and service packs for this product are available in the following online repositories:

·      Ubuntu : https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/debian

·      RHEL : https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/rhel/73/novalink_1.0.0

 

To upgrade to the 1.0.0.16 release, run the following:

·       Update the apt repository cache

o   sudo apt update

·      Upgrade to 1.0.0.16.  The ‘upgrade’ will upgrade all software, or you can specifically only update the NovaLink and RSCT portion.

o   sudo apt upgrade (or alternatively:  sudo apt install pvm-novalink rsct.basic)

·      Remove old packages that are no longer used (optional)

o   sudo apt-get autoremove

 

See the Knowledge Center documentation for more information on installing fixes and updates

·      http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/POWER8/p8eig/p8eig_updating_ubuntu_online.htm?cp=POWER8

 

Changes in 1.0.0.16

  PowerVM Novalink license key 

When PowerVM NovaLink is at version 1.0.0.16, you can specify the license key of IBM® i logical partitions by entering the following command:

·      https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/9040-MR9/p9eig/p9eig_cli.htm

  HMC like commands

      When PowerVM NovaLink is at version 1.0.0.16, you can use following HMC commands on Novalink host:

·     chled 

·     chlparutil 

·     chsyscfg 

·     chsysstate 

·     chvet 

·     lpcfgop 

·     lsmemdev 

·     lshwres 

·     lsled 

·     lsrefcode 

·     lssyscfg.dev  

·     lssysconn 

·     rsthwres 

·     mksyscfg 

·     rmsyscfg 

·     chlickey

 

  Commands enabled in this release

     When PowerVM NovaLink is at version 1.0.0.16 (Feb 2020 release), you can use following commands on Novalink host:

·     utilization 

·     pvm-benchmark 

 

   Novalink Support for SR-IOV adapter on FW930 and FW940.02 versions

When PowerVM NovaLink is at version 1.0.0.16, it will support RoCE SR-IOV adapter.

 

   Updated WebSphere Application Server Liberty and IBM Java SDK/JRE (pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16--200805-3661 or later)

WebSphere Application Server Liberty -> 20.0.0.7

IBM Java SDK/JRE -> 8.0.6.15 .

 

   Novalink fixed for following issues(pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16-200928-3680 or later)

pvmhvcsadmin fixed to display hexa decimal device id

diagrmc fixed to display false duplicate ip addresses

 

   Novalink fixed for following issues(pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16-201030-3693 or later)

Fix for Novalink SDI/SDE on RHEL7 issue, where storage mapping saved in /etc/rc.local file was getting overwritten by system.d update. Please update Novalink prior to OS update.

WebSphere Application Server Liberty updated to 20.0.0.11 as part of security vulnerability fix.

 

   Novalink fixed for following issues(pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16-210228 or later)

Fix for Novalink CLI chlickey to accpet comma separated list of IBMi license key ( 101 characters) injection.

Fix for Novalink CLI chlickey to accpet the input file keeping list of IBMi license keys ( 101 characters)

 

   Novalink fixed for following issues(pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16-210311 or later)

Fix for Novalink LPAR in RHEL environment lost during VIOS update/upgrade using below technote. Novalink needs to be updated before updating VIOS.

·  https://community.ibm.com/community/user/power/blogs/ramakrishnan-ramasubbu1/2020/12/04/vios-upgrade-in-powervm-novalink-environment (Blog)

 

   Released on 06-07-2021, Patched for listed fixes (pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16-210629 or later)

Updated for WebSphere Application Server Liberty to 21.0.0.6

Fix for vopt media/disk replacement with command "pvmctl scsi remap" in Novalink SDI/SDE environment.

  Released on 29-11-2021, Patched for listed fixes (pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16-211129 or later)

Updated for WebSphere Application Server Liberty to 21.0.0.10. Addressed vulnerabilities: CVE-2021-29842, CVE-2021-35517CVE-2021-36090

 

Released on 14-12-2021, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16-211212 or later)

 Addressed log4j2 vulnerability: CVE-2021-4428

 

Released on 06-01-2022, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16-220104 or later)

 Addressed log4j2 vulnerability: CVE-2021-45105, CVE-2021-45046, CVE-2021-44832

 

Released on 23-02-2022, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16-220215-4085 or later)

Addressed WebSphere Application Server Liberty Profile vulnerability: CVE-2022-22310, CVE-2021-39031

Released on 20-04-2022, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink 1.0.0.16-220405-4155 or later)

Addressed WebSphere Application Server Liberty Profile vulnerability: CVE-2021-23450, CVE-2021-23450

 

 


Known Issues (PowerVM and KVM on Power)

No known issues.

Installation

Installation instructions for PowerVM NovaLink are available on the on-line Knowledge Center. 

·      http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/POWER8/p8eig/p8eig_installing.htm?cp=POWER8

 

Software Life Cycle

PowerVM NovaLink uses versioning in the form of Version, Release, Mod Level and Fix (VRMF).  Example 1.0.0.8.0

·      Version and Release increments have a 3-year software support Lifecycle and follow IBM’s standard software lifecycle (http://www-01.ibm.com/software/support/lifecycle/lc-policy.html).

·      Starting in the 1.0.0.6 release, Mod Level (fourth digit) increments have an 12 months, or N-1 support policy depends on which one is longer. The current available Mod Level and the previous releases of Mod Levels from the prior 12 months are supported.

o   This means if there are 4 releases a year, supported releases are up to N-3.  If there are 2 releases a year, supported release is up to N-1.

o   For example, if 1.0.0.9 is the latest release, and 1.0.0.6 was the release from a year ago, then 1.0.0.8, 1.0.0.7, and 1.0.0.6 versions are in support. Once 1.0.0.10 release is available, support for 1.0.0.6 ceases.

o   Any releases prior to 1.0.0.6 are out of support.

·      Fix (fifth digit) increments indicate fix and service pack levels for the Mod Level of the release. PowerVM NovaLink uses the Debian method of delivering fixes via a fix repository.

See the Knowledge Center  for more information.  Errata for service fixes will be posted to Fix Central.