Readme for IBM PowerVM NovaLink 2.0.1

 

This is the March 2021 release of IBM PowerVM NovaLink.  Learn more about PowerVM NovaLink at   

·       https://community.ibm.com/community/user/power/blogs/archive-user/2015/11/01/powervc-novalink-overview (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 3.1.1    5765-PVE

·       IBM PowerVM Standard Edition 3.1.1      5765-PVS

·       IBM PowerVM Linux Edition 3.1.1            5765-PVL

·       IBM PowerVM Enterprise Edition 3.1.2    5765-PVE

·       IBM PowerVM Standard Edition 3.1.2     5765-PVS

·       IBM PowerVM Linux Edition 3.1.2            5765-PVL

 

Table of Contents

How to update to Novalink 2.0.1

Changes in 2.0.1

Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)

PowerVM

Installation

Software Life Cycle

 

Supported Stack

Following releases are supported with latest Novalink 2.0.1

·      Ubuntu: Ubuntu 18.04 + Python 3.6

·      RHEL: RHEL8.2/8.3 + (Power9) + Python 3.6

 

How to update/install

For upgrading (From Novalink 1.0.0.16 or prior) or installing to novalink 2.0.1 follow below KC:

·      https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/POWER9/p9eig/p9eig_installing.htm

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/82/novalink_2.0.1

 

To upgrade to the 2.0.1 release:

·       As novalink 2.0/2.0.1 needs a re-OS to suppoted OS RHEL8.2/8.3 or ubuntu18.04.

·       To upgrade to Ubuntu 18.04, RHEL8.2 or RHEL8.3 and Novalink2.0 follow below KC:

·      https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/POWER9/p9eig/p9eig_upgrade_novalink.htm

 

To upgrade to the 2.0.1 release from Novalink 2.0.0.0 in ubuntu environment, run the following:

·       Update the apt repository cache

o   sudo apt update

·      Upgrade to 2.0.1.  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)

·       Restart pvm-rest services

o   sudo systemctl restart pvm-rest

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

o   sudo apt-get autoremove

To upgrade to the 2.0.1 release from Novalink 2.0.0.0 in RHEL environment, run the following:

·       Update the yum repository

o   sudo yum update

·       Update pvm-novalink

o   sudo yum install pvm-novalink pvm-core* pvm-cli pypowervm pvm-rest-app pvm-rest-server

·       Restart pvm-rest services

o   sudo systemctl restart pvm-rest

 

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 2.0.1

  chlickey command enhanced to take comma separated list and file as input 

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

  HMC like commands

      When PowerVM NovaLink is at version 2.0.0.0, 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 

·     utilization 

·     pvm-benchmark 

·     chlickey

 

  Console not opening Novalink RHEL8.2/RHEL8.3 Environment ( Update to Novalink 2.0.1-210406_3762 or later)

      Update Novalink to build 2.0.1-210406_3762 or later to fix console issue.

  Console issue in RHEL8.2 Novalink environment

      For issues like console breaking with ctrl+c/ctrl+d, password echoing, Ctrl+] not closing console properly, Junk Character on console and Up arrow not working properly on console in Novalink RHEL8.2 Environment, update socat to the version recommended in the RHEL issue below

·      https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1947196

 

   Released on 06-07-2021, Patched for listed fixes [pvm-novalink 2.0.1-210705 ( Ubuntu 18.04 ), pvm-novalink-2.0.1-210706_3810 ( for RHEL8.x ) or later]

·     Updated for WebSphere Application Server Liberty to 21.0.0.6

·     Fix for RR/Inactive migration failure in PowerVC: If you are using PowerVC with novalink, it is mandatory to apply PowerVC "APAR IT37541 - VM is not coming up after Inactive migration/RR" along with this Novalink update for Remote Restart and Inactive Migration to work.

 

   Released on 12-07-2021, Patched for listed fixes [2.0.1-210707-3814 (Ubuntu 18.04), pvm-novalink-2.0.1-210707_3814 (for RHEL8.x) or later]

·     Enabled Japanese Language support for IBMi VM.

 

   Released on 05-08-2021, Patched for listed fixes [pvm-novalink 2.0.1-210805-3833 (Ubuntu 18.04), pvm-novalink-2.0.1-210805_3833 (for RHEL8.x) or later]

·     Fix to refresh IBMi VM Language when console is already open. If using with PowerVC, powerVC console reconnect will refresh to new language by closing and reopening console with specified language.

·     If you are using Novalink with PowerVC installed with fix "APAR IT37541 - VM is not coming up after Inactive migration/RR", It is mandatory to apply powerVC ifix "IT37780- Inactive migration failing with npiv error" while updating Novalink to this level.

   Fixed Spelling error in Console Language support options. (pvm-novalink-2.0.1-210928_3950) or later.

 

   Released on 02-12-2021, Patched for listed fixes [pvm-novalink 2.0.1-211202 ( Ubuntu 18.04 ), pvm-novalink-2.0.1-211202_4012 ( for RHEL8.x ) 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 2.0.1-211212 or later)

 Addressed log4j2 vulnerability: CVE-2021-4428

 

Released on 06-01-2022, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink 2.0.1-220104 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 2.0.1-220215-4088 or later)

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

Released on 22-07-2022, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink 2.0.1-220617-4190 or later)

Addressed WebSphere Application Server Liberty Profile vulnerability: CVE-2022-22393, CVE-2022-22393

Released on 23-09-2022, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink 2.0.1-220908-4266 or later)

Addressed WebSphere Application Server Liberty Profile vulnerability: CVE-2022-22476, CVE-2019-11777

Released on 21-11-2022, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink 2.0.1-221110 or later)

Addressed IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty  vulnerability: CVE-2022-34165, CVE-2022-24839, CVE-2022-37734

Released on 10-02-2023, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.0.1-230201 or later)

Addressed IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty  vulnerability and java: CVE-2021-29425, CVE-2022-21628, CVE-2022-21626, CVE-2022, CVE-2022-3509, CVE-2022-3171

Released on 17-03-2023, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.0.1-230412_4487 or later)

Addressed IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty  vulnerability: CVE-2022-45787, CVE-2022-46364

Released on 31-07-2023, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.0.1-230626_4565 or later)

Addressed IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty  vulnerability: CVE-2023-0482, CVE-2023-28867

 


Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)

No known issues.

 

Installation

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

·      https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/POWER9/p9eig/p9eig_installing.htm

 

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 Centre  for more information.  Errata for service fixes will be posted to Fix Central.