Readme for IBM PowerVM NovaLink 2.3.0.1 
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
2.3.0.1
6. Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)
7. PowerVM Novalink Installation
1.Supported Stack
Following Stack OS and python 3.11 are supported
with the latest Novalink 2.3.0.1
· RHEL:
RHEL 8.10
· RHEL:
RHEL 9.4
· Ubuntu
22.04 (Power9)
For detailed
Support matrix: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power9/9080-M9S?topic=novalink-powervm-system-requirements#p9eig_requirements__title__4
2.How to update/install Novalink 2.3.0.1
To install novalink 2.3.0.1 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:
· RHEL: https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/rhel/810/novalink_2.3.0.1
· UBUNTU: https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/debian/
novalink_2.3.0.1 non-free optional
To upgrade to the 2.3.0.1 Release from Novalink 2.1.1 or Later:
· To
upgrade to Novalink 2.3.0.1 on RHEL8.x follow steps
in below KC link:
o
Upgrading
PowerVM NovaLink 2.1.1, or
later to 2.3.0 on an RHEL 8.10 partition
o
Upgrading
PowerVM NovaLink 2.1.1, or
later to 2.3.0 on an RHEL 9.2 partition
· To
upgrade to RHEL9.4 (from 8.x) and Novalink 2.3.0
follow steps in below KC link:
o
Upgrading
the RHEL version 8 to 9.2, or later and installing PowerVM
NovaLink 2.3.0
· Optionally,
the user can run the GPG check key for Rhel 8.10 and 9.4 verification of novalink pacakages
o
Download the key file (novalink_key.pub.asc) https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/rhel/novalink_key.pub.asc
o
Import the key file (rpm –import novalink_key.pub.asc)
o
rpm -Kv <PVM Packages from Public
repo link or local downloaded link>
· To
upgrade to Ubuntu 2204 and Novalink 2.3.0.1 from
2.1.0 or above, follow steps in below KC link: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power9/9080-M9S?topic=ipn-installing-ubuntu-operating-system-version-2204-lts-powervm-novalink-partition
· Ensure
that latest rsct packages are installed rsct version 3.3.2.6 or above
o
In Rhel check
using the command
§ To Check
· rpm -qa | grep -I rsct
§ To
install the latest version
· yum
install rsct.basic
o
In Ubuntu
§ To check
the status
· dpkg -l |
grep rsct
§ To
update to latest rsct please run the below commands
· sudo
add-apt-repository ppa:ibmpackages/rsct
· sudo apt
update
· sudo apt-get
install rsct.basic (this will install rsct.core, rsct.basic and src)
3.New in 2.3.0.1
· Note:
For RHEL 8.10 & 9.4, and Ubuntu 22.04 minimum required level of Novalink is 2.3.0.1
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
· Support
for Python 3.11
4.Fixes in Novalink
2.3.0.1
·
Addressed
vulnerability : CVE-2024-21235, CVE-2024-21217, CVE-2024-21210, CVE-2024-21208,
CVE-2024-10917
· Fix provided for IBMi VM console ½ character shift.
·
Released on
03-24-2025, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.3.0.1-250321 or 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 13-07-2025,
Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.3.0.1-250610 or later)
Addressed vulnerability: CVE-2025-23184,
CVE-2025-21587, CVE-2025-30698, CVE-2025-4447, CVE-2025-25193
5.Change History for 2.3.0.1
·
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/
Latest Installer will Work on P9 system and above only
1. For P10 systems: Ensure 3 variables are disabled, which can be viewed in "https://<BMC IP>/redfish/v1/Systems/system/Bios"
a. pvm_stop_at_standby
b. pvm_vtpm
c. pvm_hmc_managed
d. 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
a. Ensure it is not connected to HMC (System Configuration | Hardware Management Consoles)
b. Ensure console type is ipmi (System Configuration | Console Type)
c. In power on/ off section
i. Select "Boot to SMS Menu"
ii. “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. At the end of VIOS installation, Installation might stop at SMS Menu, please proceed further by checking the IP’s (User might have to provide IP for Boot Server), Update the wizard and the installation will continue as normal installing only Novalink Lpar
6. Post Installation if you observe pvmctl vm list or any such pvmctl commands having issues, Check the following
a. Firewall is disabled
b. selinux is disabled (getenforce)
c. Kernel modules like hvcs, ibmvmc, are loaded
d. pvm-core and pvm-rest services are running
e. Co-Management steps performed, if the CEC is attached to HMC
f. pvm_vtpm is disabled in case Rainier / Everest
For all other trouble shooting of installation and Novalink issues please refer https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/9043-MRX/p10eig/p10eig_novalink_troubleshoot.htm