Can not install AIX on pSeries

[fieryhail]

I have an IBM pSeries 615 (7029-6C3). I installed 4 hard drives in it, and am trying to install AIX 6.1. I put the AIX DVD in the drive and go through the SMS menus to try and install, no matter what, whenever I select the IDE CD-ROM device, it goes to "LOADING SOFTWARE" then returns the error "No Operating System Installed". I know there is not OS installed, I am trying to install said OS. I have tried booting from the DVD in both Service Mode and Normal Mode. When I exit SMS and let the system try to boot, it attempts to boot via network (where there is no provision to do so). For the record, I have also tried a CD with AIX 5.1, same problem. Am I missing something? What do I have to do to get AIX installed on this server? I know the hard discs need to be formatted, but I am under the assumption that can be performed during an AIX install. Any help is greatly appreciated. This is the first time working with a pSeries system. Thanks again for any assistance.

 

[ogniemi]

maybe your box has very old firmare installed which doesn't support new AIX? try to upgrade system firmware first...

 

[ogniemi]

it is said that minimum fw level for AIX 6.1 support on 7029-6C3 is 3F041029

look at page 3 of

http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infoc....aix.resources/RELNOTES/610_base_relnotes.pdf

 

[fieryhail]

Thank you for your response, I believe you are correct, there is an issue with the firmware, however, not sure how to install updated firmware. I downloaded the most current firmware for the pSeries model, and have all 3 versions (AIX, Linux, and DOS), however, not sure how to install it. The information I have come across details doing the update from an AIX system already running. I'm thinking possibly by booting into the OpenFirmware, but not sure. Any suggestions or documentation that details this procedure would be extremely appreciated. Thanks again for any advice.

 

[MoreFeo]

I think there is a way to update the firmware booting from the stand alone diagnostics CD.
You should be able to download it from fixcentral:

http://www-933.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/diags

 

[p5wizard]

The DOS downloads (4 EXE files) can be used to create 4 AIX-style backup diskettes - see the description link on the site you downloaded the package from:

http://download.boulder.ibm.com/ibmdl/pub/software/server/firmware/70296C3F.html

.

You'll need a Windows/DOS Box with a diskette drive and 4 3.5inch HD diskettes! Not readily available perhaps, but then again, that 7029-6C3 server is pretty ancient! ;-))

Then with those 4 diskettes you can proceed and update the firmware using the Service Processor menus (see section 6.1.1 Using the Service Processor Menus Method of the aforementioned description info).


HTH,

p5wizard

 

[fieryhail]

Thank you all for your responses. I have to install a floppy drive temporarily in the box, doesn't have one currently. Another question on a side note, I realize the box is old, but do you think it's still viable to run 2 Domino servers on it? One for Lotus Domino mail server/directory server and the other a QuickR server? They're both pretty low volume relatively speaking. I'm hoping that the POWER architecture will perform well enough to meet those needs. I'm sorry for some of the naive questions. I'm used to PowerPC as it relates to PowerMacintosh. Have not really delved into AIX before, but don't anticipate too much difficulty as I'm used to Unix and Linux in general. As far as PowerPC goes, I'm very happy with it on the PowerMac G% series, still my main workstation and very good at multi-tasking operations. I'm hoping the pSeries will do similar. If all goes well with this one, I'll most likely start investigating POWER5 based servers. This one is a "test bed" to begin with. Thanks again.