New P570

[rondebbs]

Hello, we have ordered a new p570 (AIX) that will be delivered next week. We will likely have two LPARs on the server. Do new servers from IBM come pre-installed with AIX or is it up to the customer to install?

The server is to be used for a filenet application that is cetified on 5.3 tl 5. I'm hoping that the server will show up with the 5.3 cds along with the tl 5 cd. If aix 5.3 is not installed I should be able to insert the number 1 cd and then power on to start the install.

Does this sound correct?

Thanks - Brad

 

[Breslau]

Assuming a HMC was ordered as well, you will have what IBM terms a default partition on the box. i believe this will contain a 'minimal' AIX image.

while you're configuring the box with the HMC, you'll have to make the choice of a partitioned box, or just run with the default image. in your case you'll be setting up partitions...

 

[DukeSSD]

You don't need an HMC to partition a p570 if you order IVM with the machine.
If you order an AIX preinstall you will get a machine with just a full system partition with whatever the latest manufacturing level of AIX is, probably 5.3 TL5 or maybe 5.3 TL4 CSP.
If you don't order the preinstall you must specify the AIX lavel you want and you will get a blank machine with the media.
I think you only get the media with a preinstall if you specify it on the order, so if you ordered a preinstall but not the media you won't get the disks - but they are free, just ask your business partner for a AIX 5.3 TL5 media refresh.
Assuming you have the media you will still need to configure the two LPARS (on the HMC or in IVM) before you can install AIX.
You will need to assign your CD-ROM / DVD to each LPAR in turn and set it as the boot device before you can install each partition, but once the CD device is in the LPAR profile, available and in the boot list, yes it will boot to the the CD and go to the install menus.

 

[ogniemi]

DukeSSD,

are you sure IVM is supported with p570?

I heard it is not...

 

[DukeSSD]

Oops, sorry, you are right:

"The IVM allows you to do POWER5 Virtualization on System p (505, 510, 520, 550, 560), IBM BladeCenter JS21 and OpenPower (710 and 720) without using a HMC.
Main points:

This makes a lot of sense on these lower end machines and on systems where full HMC functions are not required and where the HMC can seem expensive (when managing just one machine). etc.

http://www-941.ibm.com/collaboration/wiki/display/virtualization/IVM

Best hope rondebbs has an HMC on the way too!