Readme for IBM PowerVM NovaLink 2.0.2                                           

 

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

 

·       Knowledge Center: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9080-HEX?topic=environment-powervm-novalink

·       Blog: https://community.ibm.com/community/user/power/blogs/archive-user/2015/11/01/powervc-novalink-overview

 

The 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 to download if you have a license for IBM PowerVM. 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

1.    Supported Stack

2.    How to update/install to Novalink 2.0.2

3.    New in 2.0.2

4.    Changes History for 2.0.2

5.    Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)

6.    PowerVM Novalink Installation

7.    Software Life Cycle

 

1.   Supported Stack

 

Following Stack OS and python are supported with the latest Novalink 2.0.2

 

·      Ubuntu : Ubuntu 18.04 + (Power8/Power9) +Python 3.6

·      RHEL : RHEL8.2/8.3/8.4 + (Power8/Power9/Power10) + Python 3.6

 

2.   How to update/install Novalink 2.0.2

 

For upgrading ( From Novalink 1.0.0.16 or prior) or installing to novalink 2.0.2 follow below KC:

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

.    POWER10: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9080-HEX?topic=environment-powervm-novalink

 

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_2.0.2

 

To upgrade to the 2.0.2 release from Novalink 1.0.0.x:

·       As novalink 2.0.2 needs a re-OS to supported OS RHEL8.2/8.3/8.4 or ubuntu18.04.

·       To upgrade to Ubuntu 18.04, RHEL8.2 or RHEL8.3 or RHEL8.4 and Novalink2.0.2 follow below KC:

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

 

To Update to the 2.0.2 release from Novalink 2.0.0.0/2.0.1 in ubuntu environment, run the following:

·       Update the apt repository cache

o   sudo apt update

·      Upgrade to 2.0.2.  The ‘upgrade’ will upgrade all software, or you can 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

To update to the 2.0.2 release from Novalink 2.0.0.0/2.0.1 in RHEL environment, run the following:

·       Update the yum repository

o   sudo yum update

·       Update pvm-novalink

o   sudo yum install pvm-novalink

 

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

POWER8:

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

 

POWER9:

·      https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power9/9009-41A?topic=novalink-updating-powervm

 

POWER10:

·      https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9080-HEX?topic=novalink-upgrading-powervm-software-version-2000

 

3.   New in 2.0.2

 

·      Enablement to manage Power 10 systems and support for Power 10 compatibility mode. Novalink 2.0.2 or later is required to manage Power 10 systems. 

·      chlickey command or IBMi key injection API has been enhanced to return failure error. The key injection can be done in parallel for different LPARs. However, per LPAR it would be sequential. 

 

4.   Change History for 2.0.2

·      Fixed Spelling error in Console Language support options. (pvm-novalink_2.0.2-210923-3946) or later.

 

5.   Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)

 

·       Active or Inactive Migration between a system managed by Novalink and a system managed by HMC and vice versa is not supported.

 

6.   PowerVM Novalink Installation

 

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

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

 

Installation instructions for PowerVM NovaLink for POWER10 are available on the on-line Knowledge Center. 

·      https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9080-HEX?topic=novalink-installing-powervm

 

7.   Software Life Cycle

 

PowerVM NovaLink uses versioning in the form of Version, Release, Mod Level and Fix (VRMF).  Example 2.0.0

 

·      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).

 

See the Knowledge Center  for more information.