Readme for IBM PowerVM NovaLink 2.3.2 
This is the 5th Dec 2026 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
2.3.2
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
22.04 with Python3.11 (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 3.3.3.3 or later
2.How to update/install Novalink 2.3.2
To install novalink 2.3.2 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_2.3.2
· UBUNTU: https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/debian/
novalink_2.3.2 non-free optional
To upgrade to the 2.3.2 Release from Novalink 2.1.1 or Later:
· To
upgrade to Novalink 2.3.2 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
· To
upgrade to Novalink 2.3.2 on RHEL9.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 9.4, or later partition
To upgrade to the 2.3.2 Release from Novalink 2.3.0/ 2.3.1:
· To
upgrade to Novalink 2.3.2 follow steps in below KC
link:
o
TBD once KC Published
· To
upgrade to RHEL9.4 (from 8.x) and Novalink 2.3.2
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 2.3.2 from 2.1.0
or above, follow steps in below KC link:
o
Update the pvm.list file with the 2.3.2 URL (https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/Novalink/debian/
novalink_2.3.2 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 2.3.2
· Note:
For RHEL 8.10, 9.4 & 9.6, minimum required level of Novalink
is 2.3.2
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
· Support for
o
Enhancements
for Virtual Persistent Memory
o
Performance
/ Resiliency Enhancements
o
API
support for getting lpar affinity score
4.Fixes in Novalink
2.3.2
5.Change History for 2.3.2
· Released on 28-01-2026, Patched for listed fix (pvm-novalink-2.3.2-260116
or later)
Addressed
vulnerability : CVE-2025-7962, CVE-2020-36732
· Fix provided for RAID adapter configuration failure, caused by mdadm command
output difference between RHEL 8 and RHEL 9
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
7. Post upgrading rsct to 3.3.3.3 in Novalink if user observes RMC as inactive for vios and other lpar, please restart Novalink services using below commands
a. Systemctl restart pvm-core
b. Systemctl restart pvm-rest
8. After you restart PowerVM NovaLink, ensure that the loaded kernel level and the installed kernel module extra level packages in PowerVM NovaLink have the same values.
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