Readme for IBM PowerVM NovaLink 2.2.0
This is the November 2023 Release of IBM PowerVM NovaLink. Learn
more about PowerVM NovaLink
at
· Knowledge
Center(KC): https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9080-HEX?topic=environment-powervm-novalink
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
2. How to update/install to Novalink
2.2.0
3. New in 2.2.0
4. Fixes in Novalink 2.2.0
5. Change History for 2.2.0
6. Known Issues (PowerVM on Power))
7. PowerVM Novalink Installation
9. Novalink Installer
1.
Supported Stack
Following Stack OS and python are supported with the
latest Novalink 2.2.0
· Ubuntu : Ubuntu 20.04 + (Power9)
· RHEL : RHEL 8.8 + (Power9/Power10)
· RHEL : RHEL 9.0 , 9.1+ (Power9/Power10)
For detailed Support matrix: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9043-MRX?topic=novalink-powervm-system-requirements#p10eig_requirements__title__6
2.
How to update/install Novalink 2.2.0
To install novalink 2.2.0 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/86/novalink_2.2.0
To upgrade to the 2.2.0 Release from Novalink 2.0.3.1 or prior:
· To upgrade to Novalink 2.2.0 on RHEL8.8 follow steps in below KC link:
· To upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04/RHEL9.0 and Novalink 2.2.0 follow steps in below KC link:
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/POWER9/p9eig/p9eig_upgrade_novalink.htm
To Install Novalink 2.2.0 supported OS are RHEL8.8/RHEL9/Ubuntu20.04
See the Knowledge Center documentation for more information on installing fixes and updates
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 2.2.0
· Note: For RHEL 9.0/9.1 and Ubuntu 20.04, minimum required level of Novalink is 2.2.0
o
Power10: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9043-MRX?topic=novalink-whats-new-in-powervm
o
Power 9: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power9/9009-22G?topic=novalink-whats-new-in-powervm
· Added support for Dynamic Platform Optimizer
o
New HMC like command optmem and lsmemopt support added
to novalink.
· Added Network install support for IBMi
partitions
o
“pvmctl
vm network-install” and chsysstate
has been enhanced to support Network
Installation for IBMi partition
4.
Fixes in Novalink 2.2.0
5. Change History for
2.2.0
·
Released on 14-12-2023,
Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.2.0-231213_4729 or later)
Addressed issue with long
running processes which could cause Novalink in hung
state.
Addressed issue with round
off value for shared processor pool values.
· Released on 07-02-2024, Patched for listed fix (Update to
pvm-novalink-2.2.0-240119 or later)
Addressed IBM WebSphere
Application Server Liberty vulnerability : CVE-2023-44483, CVE-2023-44487,
CVE-2023-46158
· Released on 15-04-2024, Patched for listed fix (
pvm-novalink-2.2.0-24040 or later) for RHEL base novalink.
Fixed an issue causing
issues in establishing RMC connection between Novalink
and AIX, Linux, VIOS partition when the partitions name and OS details are
greater than defined length.
Addressed WLP and Java
vulnerabilities : CVE-2023-50312 and CVE-2024-20952, CVE-2024-20918, CVE-2024
Fixes an intermittent issue
which might cause console connection errors when managing via PowerVC.
· Released on 14-05-2024, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink_2.2.0-240413-4848 or later) for
ubuntu 20.04 based powerVM Novalink.
Fix is to address issue
with console on ubuntu20.04 based Novalink. Novalink repo has been updated to have fixed socat_1.7.3.3-2 package. To apply complete fix for console on ubuntu
20.04 please follow steps:
On Novalink
Lpar
· Update latest novalink from ubuntu focal
distribution:
sudo apt-get update
sudo
apt-get dist-upgrade
· Ensure the kernel level is 5.4.0-177 or above installed
dpkg -l | grep linux-image-generic
· Download socat packge
having fix from Novalink repo
wget https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/debian/pool/optional/s/socat/socat_1.7.3.3-2ubuntu0.1_ppc64el.deb
dpkg -i socat_1.7.3.3-2ubuntu0.1_ppc64el.deb
· Reboot the novalink lpar
· Verify the kernel level is 5.4.0-177 or above
uname -a
· Ensure the package is 1.7.3.3-2ubuntu0.1 or above
dpkg -l | grep socat
6. Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)
OS
Console/Virtual Terminal fails to open
on Novalink installed on Ubuntu 20.04 because of known issue in Ubuntu 20.04 drmgr command.
7.
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
8.
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).
·
For Novalink Supported level:
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/powervm-novalink-lifecycle-information
See the Knowledge Center for more
information.
9. Novalink Installer
Download the latest installer from https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/installer/
1. For P10 systems: Ensure 3 variables are disabled, which can be viewed in "https://<BMC IP>/redfish/v1/Systems/system/Bios"
1.a: pvm_stop_at_standby
1.b: pvm_vtpm
1.c: pvm_hmc_managed
Please refer https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9043-MRX?topic=ipn-installing-powervm-novalink-2031-software-scale-out-mid-range-power-systems Step 7 & 8
2. For P8 and P9 Ensure the following
2.a: Ensure it is not connected to HMC (System Configuration | Hardware Management Consoles )
2.b: Ensure console type is ipmi (System Configuration | Console Type)
2.c: In power on/ off section
2.c.a Select "Boot to SMS Menu"
2.c.b “Running Auto start Always”
3. In SMS menu, select the pingable adapter and configure IP's do a ping test. Ensure the same adapter is selected for Netboot
4. If the Memory is more than 2 TB Ensure "I/O Adapter enlarged capacity" value is anything other than 0 refer case https://w3.ibm.com/tools/caseviewer/case/TS014309750
5. Post Installation if you observe pvmctl vm list or any such pvmctl commands having issues, Check the following
5.a: Firewall is disabled
5.b: selinux is disabled (getenforce)
5.c: Kernel modules like hvcs, ibmvmc, are loaded
5.d: pvm-core and pvm-rest services are running
5.e: Co-Management steps performed, if the CEC is attached to HMC
5.f: pvm_vtpm is disabled in case Rainier / Everest
For all other trouble shooting of installation and Novalink issues please refer
Please refer https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/9043-MRX/p10eig/p10eig_novalink_troubleshoot.htm