Category Archives: IBM AIX

AIX: How to replace a hot-swappable Host Bus Adapter (HBA) on an AIX system

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Replacing a hot-swappable Host Bus Adapter (HBA) on an AIX system involves several steps to ensure a smooth transition without causing disruptions to the system’s connectivity to storage devices. Here’s a general procedure to replace a hot-swappable HBA on AIX:

  1. Prepare for Downtime:Plan for a maintenance window during which you can safely perform the HBA replacement without impacting critical operations. Ensure you have a proper backup of important data and configurations before proceeding.
  2. Identify the Failed HBA:Use the AIX lsdev command to identify the failed HBA. Look for the appropriate device name associated with the HBA you intend to replace.lsdev -Cc adapter | grep <HBA_name>
  3. Identify Available Slots:If the system has multiple slots for HBAs, identify an available slot where you will insert the replacement HBA.
  4. Remove the Failed HBA:Use the rmdev command to remove the failed HBA from the system. This step ensures that AIX stops using the failed HBA.rmdev -l <failed_HBA_device_name>
  5. Insert the Replacement HBA:Insert the replacement HBA into the identified slot. Ensure that it is properly seated and securely fastened.
  6. Scan for New Devices:Use the cfgmgr command to scan for new devices and configure the replacement HBA.cfgmgr This command will automatically detect and configure the replacement HBA and any attached devices.
  7. Verify Connectivity:Test the connectivity to storage devices connected to the replacement HBA to ensure that the system can access them properly.
  8. Monitor for Errors:Monitor system logs and performance after the replacement to ensure there are no errors or issues related to the replacement HBA.
  9. Update Documentation:Update system documentation to reflect the replacement of the HBA for future reference.
  10. Perform Post-Maintenance Checks:Perform any necessary post-maintenance checks and tests to ensure that the system is functioning correctly and that there are no lingering issues.

By following this procedure, you can safely replace a hot-swappable Host Bus Adapter (HBA) on an AIX system without causing disruptions to the system’s connectivity to storage devices. Always ensure to follow manufacturer’s guidelines and best practices specific to your hardware and software environment.

IBM AIX: How to create a file system

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On IBM AIX, you can create a file system using the crfs command. Below are the steps to create a simple Journaled File System (JFS) on AIX:

  1. Determine Disk and Logical Volume: Identify the physical disk and logical volume that you want to use for the file system. You can use the lspv and lsvg commands to list physical volumes and volume groups, respectively.lspv lsvg
  2. Create a Logical Volume: Use the mklv command to create a logical volume. Replace <volume_group> with the actual volume group name, <logical_volume> with the logical volume name, and <size> with the desired size.mklv -y <logical_volume> -t jfs2 <volume_group> <size>
  3. Create a File System: Use the crfs command to create a file system on the logical volume you just created. Replace <mount_point> with the desired mount point for the file system.crfs -v jfs2 -d <logical_volume> -m <mount_point> -A yes -p rw
    • -v jfs2: Specifies the type of file system as Journaled File System 2 (JFS2).
    • -d <logical_volume>: Specifies the logical volume.
    • -m <mount_point>: Specifies the mount point for the file system.
    • -A yes: Enables automatic mount during system startup.
    • -p rw: Specifies the mount options as read-write.
  4. Mount the File System: Use the mount command to mount the newly created file system.mount <mount_point>
  5. Verify the File System: Use the df command to verify that the file system is mounted.df -g

This is a basic example of creating a JFS2 file system on AIX. Adjust the commands and options based on your specific requirements, such as choosing a different file system type or specifying additional mount options.

Always refer to the AIX documentation or consult with your system administrator for the most accurate and up-to-date information based on your AIX version.

UNIX-Linux: How to identify what type of Unix or Linux System we are using

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To identify the type of Unix or Linux system we are using run:

$ uname -a

Linux Example:

[root@redhat9-01 ~]# uname -a
Linux redhat9-01 5.14.0-284.30.1.el9_2.x86_64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Fri Aug 25 09:13:12 EDT 2023 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
[root@redhat9-01 ~]#

AIX Example:

# uname -a

AIX crnimx01 1 7 000482ADD600

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