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
2. How to update/install Novalink
2.2.1.1
6. Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)
7. PowerVM Novalink Installation
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, please follow below step:
Add below line in /etc/sudoers if not there already:
%pvm_admin ALL=(ALL) ALL
%pvm_admin ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: /usr/sbin/logrotate
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