Readme for IBM PowerVM NovaLink 2.2.1
This is the June 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
6. Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)
7. PowerVM Novalink Installation
1.Supported Stack
Following Stack OS and python are supported with the
latest Novalink 2.2.1
· 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__title__6
2.How to update/install Novalink 2.2.1
To install novalink 2.2.1 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
To upgrade to the 2.2.1 Release from Novalink 2.0.3.1 or prior:
· To upgrade to Novalink 2.2.1 on RHEL8.8 follow steps in below KC link:
· To upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04 (from 1804) /RHEL9.2 (from 8.x) and Novalink 2.2.1 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 supported OS are RHEL8.8/RHEL9.2/Ubuntu20.04
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
· Note: For RHEL 9.2 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
4.Fixes in Novalink
2.2.1
In Ubuntu 20.04 to access console of deployed VM’s
· Ensure the kernel level is 5.4.0-177 or above installed.
o
dpkg -l | grep linux-image-generic
· Download socat packge
having fix from Novalink repo and install it
o
dpkg -i socat_1.7.3.3-2ubuntu0.1_ppc64el.deb
5.Change History for 2.2.1
· Released on 01-07-2024, Patched for listed fix
(pvm-novalink-2.2.1-240625 or later)
Addressed IBM
WebSphere Application Server Liberty vulnerability : CVE-2024-22329,
CVE-2024-22353, CVE-2024-27270, CVE-2024-27268, CVE-2024-25026, CVE-2024-22354,
CVE-2023-51775
· Released on 25-10-2024, Patched for listed fix (
pvm-novalink-2.2.1-240917 or later)
Fix
provided to clean-up temporary file create by VNC connection which might fail
later with permission issue when
reconnecting console.
· Released on 30-10-2024,
Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.2.1-241015 or
later)
Addressed vulnerability : CVE-2024-21147,
CVE-2024-21145, CVE-2024-21140, CVE-2024-21144, CVE-2024-21138, CVE-2024-21131,
CVE-2024-27267, CVE-2023-50314, CVE-2024-38808
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