Readme for IBM PowerVM NovaLink 2.3.1 
This is the Jul 2025 Release of IBM PowerVM
NovaLink. Learn more about PowerVM NovaLink at
· Knowledge
Center(KC):
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power11/9043-MRU?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
2.3.1
6. Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)
7. PowerVM Novalink Installation
1.Supported Stack
Following Stack OS and python are supported with the
latest Novalink 2.3.1
· RHEL:
RHEL 8.10 Python: 3.11 (Power9/Power10/ Power11)
· RHEL:
RHEL 9.4 with Python: 3.11 (Power9/Power10/ Power11)
· RHEL:
RHEL 9.6 with Python: 3.11 (Power9/Power10/ Power11)
· Ubuntu
220.04 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
Recommended
RSCT level 3.3.3.1 or later
2.How to update/install
Novalink 2.3.1
To install novalink 2.3.1
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
· POWER11:
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power11/9043-MRU?topic=novalink-installing-powervm
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_2.3.1
· UBUNTU: https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/debian/
novalink_2.3.1 non-free optional
To upgrade to the 2.3.1 Release from Novalink 2.1.1 or Later:
· To
upgrade to Novalink 2.3.1 on RHEL8.x follow steps in below KC link:
o
Upgrading
PowerVM NovaLink 2.1.1, or later to 2.3.0, or later on an RHEL 8.10 partition
o
Upgrading
PowerVM NovaLink 2.1.1, or later to 2.3.0, or later on an RHEL 9.4, or later
partition
· To
upgrade to RHEL9.4 (from 8.x) and Novalink 2.3.1 follow steps in below KC link:
o
Upgrading
the RHEL version 8 to 9.4, or later and installing PowerVM NovaLink 2.3.0 or
later
· Optionally,
the user can run the GPG check key for Rhel 8.10 and 9.4 verification of
novalink packages
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 2.3.1 from 2.1.0 or above, follow steps in
below KC link:
o
Update the pvm.list file
with the 2.3.1 URL (https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/debian/
novalink_2.3.1 non-free optional)
o
sudo apt-get install
pvm-novalink
See the Knowledge Centre
documentation for more information on installing fixes and updates
3.New in 2.3.1
· Note:
For RHEL 8.10, 9.4 & 9.6, minimum required level of Novalink is 2.3.1
o
Power11: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power11/9043-MRU?topic=novalink-whats-new-in-powervm
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
· Power11 System and Power11 Compatibility Mode Support
· Support for Minimum
Affinity Score and Actions on Power11 systems
· Support for listing and
modifying bootlist on AIX/Linux partitions
4.Fixes in Novalink 2.3.1
5.Change History for 2.3.1
· Released
on 12-10-2025, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.3.1-251010 or later)
Addressed vulnerability:
o WebSphere Application Server Liberty: CVE-2025-36000, CVE-2025-48976, CVE-2025-36097, CVE-2025-36047, CVE-2025-36124, CVE-2024-56339
o
Apache jsch and commons-lang: CVE-2025-48924,
CVE-2016-5725
o
IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition: CVE-2025-50106,
CVE-2025-30749, CVE-2025-30761, CVE-2025-30754
6.Known Issues (PowerVM on Power)
NA
7.PowerVM Novalink Installation
Installation instructions for PowerVM NovaLink for POWER11 are available on the on-line Knowledge Center.
·
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power11/9043-MRU?topic=novalink-installing-powervm
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
Installation instructions for PowerVM NovaLink are available on the on-line Knowledge Centre.
· https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/POWER9/p9eig/p9eig_installing.htm
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 and P11 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
i. Power10: 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
ii. Power11: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power11/9043-MRU?topic=ipn-installing-powervm-novalink-231-software-scale-out-mid-range-power-systems Step 9 & 10
2. For 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 / FUJI / Bluridge
For all other trouble shooting of installation and Novalink issues please refer https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power11/9043-MRU?topic=novalink-troubleshooting-powervm