Readme
for IBM PowerVM NovaLink
2.2.1.1 
This is the Dec 2024 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
Contents
1. Supported
Stack
2. How
to update/install Novalink 2.2.1.1
3. New
in 2.2.1.1
4. Fixes
in Novalink 2.2.1.1
5. Change
History for 2.2.1
6. Known
Issues (PowerVM on Power)
7. PowerVM Novalink
Installation
8. Software
Life Cycle
9. Novalink Installer
1.Supported Stack
Following OS and python levels are
supported with the latest Novalink 2.2.1.1
·
Ubuntu : Ubuntu 20.04 (Power9)
·
RHEL : RHEL 8.8 (Power9/Power10)
·
RHEL : RHEL 9.2 (Power9/Power10)
For detailed Support matrix:
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9043-MRX?topic=novalink-powervm-system-requirements#p10eig_requirements__op_sys_support__title__1
2.How to update/install Novalink
2.2.1.1
To install novalink 2.2.1.1 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_2.2.1.1
· To upgrade to Ubuntu
20.04 (from 1804) /RHEL9.2 (from 8.x) and Novalink
2.2.1.1 follow steps in below KC link:
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/POWER9/p9eig/p9eig_upgrade_novalink.htm
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power10/9080-HEX?topic=novalink-upgrading-powervm-software-version-2000
To Install Novalink 2.2.1.1, supported OS are
RHEL8.8/RHEL9.2/Ubuntu20.04
To Upgrade to Novalink 2.2.1.1 from 2.2.1 or
2.1.1
·
In Ubuntu
20.04
·
In /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pvm.list update
the deb line with novalink 2.2.1.1
deb http://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/debian/
novalink_2.2.1.1 non-free optional
and do
apt-get install pvm-novalink
In Rhel 8.8 or Rhel
9.2, Optionally user can verify the image to check it’s from right source and
valid image
·
Download the
key file (novalink_key.pub.asc)
https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/rhel/novalink_key.pub.asc
·
Import the
key file (rpm –import novalink_key.pub.asc)
·
rpm -Kv <PVM Packages from Public repo link or
Local downloaded link>
In /etc/yum.repos.d/pvm.repo
update the baseurl line with novalink
2.2.1.1
baseurl=
http://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/rhel/86/novalink_2.2.1.1
and do
yum install pvm-novalink
See the Knowledge Center documentation for
more information on installing fixes and updates
POWER9/ 10:
·
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power9/9009-41A?topic=novalink-updating-powervm
3.New in 2.2.1.1
· Note: For RHEL 8.8,
9.2 and Ubuntu 20.04, minimum required level of Novalink
is 2.2.1.1
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
4.Fixes in Novalink 2.2.1.1
·
In Rhel9.2
to access console of deployed VM’s
o
Ensure
the kernel level is kernel-5.14.0-284.35.1.el9_2 or above installed (Use Uname -a)
· Novalink restore fixed when VM
is SRR capable and running
5.Change History for 2.2.1.1
·
Released on
03-01-2025, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.2.1.1-241231 or later)
Addressed vulnerability
: CVE-2024-40094, CVE-2024-47554, CVE-2024-7254
·
Fix provided
where logrotate was failing for pvmctl.log while
running pvmctl commands. Other than code fix to
ensure all pvm_admin users are able
to run pvmctl successfully.
·
Released on 06-03-2025,
Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.2.1.1-250304_5133 or later)
Fix provided for IBMi VM console ½ character
shift.
·
Released on
06-03-2025, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.2.1.1-250304_5133 or later)
Fix provided for IBMi VM console ½ character
shift.
·
Released on
03-24-2025, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.2.1.1-250321or later)
Addressed
vulnerability: CVE-2024-21235, CVE-2024-21217, CVE-2024-21210, CVE-2024-21208,
CVE-2024-10917, CVE-2024-47535
Fix provided for IBMi VM console ½ character shift
· Released on 05-23-2025, Patched for listed
fix (pvm-novalink-2.2.1.1-250512 or later)
Fix to recover from a console getting closed intermittently.
· Released on 13-07-2025, Patched for listed
fix (pvm-novalink-2.2.1.1-250529 or later)
Addressed
vulnerability: CVE-2025-23184, CVE-2025-21587, CVE-2025-30698, CVE-2025-4447, CVE-2025-25193
6.Known Issues (PowerVM on
Power)
NA
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