Readme for IBM PowerVM NovaLink 2.3.0 
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
6. Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)
7. PowerVM Novalink Installation
1.Supported Stack
Following Stack OS and python are supported with the
latest Novalink 2.3.0
· RHEL:
RHEL 8.10 Python: 3.11 (Power9/Power10)
· RHEL:
RHEL 9.4 with Python: 3.11 (Power9/Power10)
· Ubuntu
20.04 with Python3.9 (Power9)
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 2.3.0
To install novalink 2.3.0
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:
· RHEL: https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/rhel/810/novalink_2.3.0
· UBUNTU: https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/debian/
novalink_2.3.0 non-free optional
To upgrade to the 2.3.0 Release from Novalink 2.1.1 or Later:
· To
upgrade to Novalink 2.3.0 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 2004 and Novalink 2.3.0 from 2.1.0 or above, follow steps in
below KC link:
o
Update the pvm.list file with the 2.3.0 URL (https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/debian/
novalink_2.3.0 non-free optional)
o
sudo apt-get install pvm-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
See the Knowledge Center
documentation for more information on installing fixes and updates
3.New in 2.3.0
· Note:
For RHEL 8.10 & 9.4, minimum required level of Novalink is 2.3.0
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
· Support
for Python 3.11
· Support
for LPAR Placement attribute
4.Fixes in Novalink 2.3.0
5.Change History for 2.3.0
· Released on 03-01-2025, Patched for listed fix
(pvm-novalink-2.3.0-241230 or later)
Addressed vulnerability : CVE-2024-40094, 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/
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