Pci-to-pci bridge DLPAR from VIO 2

[jfmoreira]

Hello.

This is a Dev-VIO server (two frames) running AIX 5.3 LPARs.

We are trying to install an Ethernet PCI 4-port card from the VIO as a dedicated ethernet device to one of our Lpars.

The DLPAR operation works normally, the HMC reports that the device is assigned to the partition.

When we run a cfgmgr on the LPAR, this message is shown:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cfgmgr: 0514-621 WARNING: The following device packages are required for device support but are not currently installed.                         
devices.chrp.pciex                                                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I then downloaded all the missing filesets and tried to install when THIS message is shown:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MISSING REQUISITES:  The following filesets are required by one or more of the selected filesets listed above.  They are not currently installed and could not be found on the installation media.                             
    devices.pci.pci.rte 5.0.0.0               # Base Level Fileset  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, the fun part is that even the IBM support could not understand why the installer is asking for such a base fileset and they couldn't find that on their software repository!

I am stuck at that, think anyone could give me a hint?

Jeffo.

 

[DukeSSD]

I do not understand the problem as described above.

AIX 5.3 has a fileset called devices.pci.pci.rte, it is in the devices.pci.pci package on the first AIX install CD.

I have a TL08 system:
# lslpp -hac | grep devices.pci.pci
/usr/lib/objrepos:devices.pci.pci.rte:5.3.0.0::COMMIT:COMPLETE:04/07/08:21;26;43
/usr/lib/objrepos:devices.pci.pci.rte:5.3.0.0::APPLY:COMPLETE:04/07/08:21;26;43

Looking at the first AIX install CD:
/cdrom/installp/ppc # ls -l | grep devices.pci.pci
-rwxr-xr-- 2 4000 4000 7168 28 Apr 2008 devices.pci.pci

or:
# bffcreate -d /dev/cd0 -l | grep devices.pci.pci
devices.pci.pci 5.3.0.0 I usr

cfgmgr -i <install_or_cd_device> should install it for you also.

The only issue I see in the problem you describe it that a 5.0.0.0 fileset is being asked for but this is common for cfgmgr to only check the version required and not the release because it would expect the release to be correct for an install so it is really specifying 5.x.x.x where you know the first x should be a 3.

Please explain further if I have misunderstood your problem and we may be able to help further.

Also please let us know if and how you fix the problem.

 

[jfmoreira]

Hello. As I said, I have the correct 5.3.0.0 packages and when I try to install they fail, while AIX lists that it needs the "5.0.0.0" version. IBM support said that they do not understand why that is happening and they do not have such a package. I'm stuck at that.

Do you think you can send me this devices.pci.pci.rte package so I could give it a try?

 

[DukeSSD]

I do not think I should be sending IBM licensed code to you, IBM would do that if it were warranted.

If you insert the first AIX install CD, do not mount it or smit will not be able to process multiple volumes...

Then try to install: smitty install, install and update software, install and update from all available software, select the cd, software to install, devices.pci.pci > @5.3.0.0 PCI Bus Bridge Software (CHRP), PREVIEW only? - yes, AUTOMATICALLY install requisite software? - yes, extend FS - yes, overwrite - yes, detailed OP - yes, process multi vol's - yes, accept license - yes.

What do you get?

If it says all is OK, then try again with preview - no and it should install.

If not:

Do:
lppchk -l
lppchk -c
lppchk -vm3
all return no output, if not resolve the broken, missing filesets first.

Your post says devices.pci.pci.rte is missing so you need to install it, as above, for the others to install.

Maybe your media is bad and this fileset is broken.

IBM sales or your business partner will be able to arrange a new set of install media for you to try with.

IBM support probably will not be able to send you an install fileset, and nor can I, because we cannot verify you have a license for this code, sorry.

HTH,
Duke.

 

[jfmoreira]

Relax, I'm 30 miles from site and the licensed CDs. Will give it a try tomorrow.Thanks for now.

 

[jfmoreira]

Allright, DukeSSD, your hint worked and I was able to finally install the correct Base fileset. The "5.0.0.0" tends to mislead us, (it is contained somehow on the base 5.3.0.0 fileset) but the base installation solved. Installation hints were crucial for using the AIX media in an easier. Thanks again.

The problem is solved, keep reading:

Anyway, prior to moving the ticket into the hardware team, guess what, IBM finally reported what was the correct driver for the "4-Port 10/100/1000 Base-TX PCI-Express Adapter" device. And also found that the PCI board had only the devices.pciex.14106803.diag file installed, missing the devices.pciex.14106803.rte. After installing this fileset from the AIX base cd....the device was finally recognized by the OS.


ps: this is the installation guide from IBM that might help some fellas to automatically use AIX media (CD 01 usually) for installing base software. I guess it's cool to post here since google will index it eventually.

------------------------------------------
Installing device driver software
------------------------------------------
This section explains how to install device driver software. The device driver is provided for the AIX 5L operating system on the AIX base operating system CD, which includes the device driver, or the AIX device driver CD.

To install device driver software, do the following steps:
1. Log in to the system unit as root user.
2. Insert the media containing the device driver software (for example, the CD) into the media device.

If your system does not have a CD-ROM drive, refer to your system documentation for performing a Network Installation Management (NIM) installation.
3. Type the following System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) fast path command: smit devinst
4. Press Enter. The Install Additional Device Software window highlights the INPUT device / directory for software option.
5. Type the name of the input device that you are using, or press F4 to select the input device from a list.
6. Press Enter. The Install Additional Device Software window highlights the SOFTWARE to install option.
7. Press F4 to select List.
8. Type / to display the Find window.
9. Type the device package name devices.pciex.14106803 .
10. Press Enter. The system finds and highlights this device driver software.
11. Press F7 to select the highlighted device driver software.
12. Press Enter. The INSTALL ADDITIONAL DEVICE SOFTWARE window displays. The entry fields are automatically updated.
13. Press Enter to accept the information. The ARE YOU SURE window displays.
14. Press Enter to accept the information. The COMMAND STATUS window displays.

* The message RUNNING is highlighted to indicate that the installation and configuration command is in progress.
* When RUNNING changes to OK, scroll to the bottom of the page and locate the installation summary.
* After a successful installation, SUCCESS displays in the Result column of the installation summary at the bottom of the page.

15. Remove the installation media from the drive.
16. Press F10 to exit SMIT.

Verifying the AIX software installation

To verify that the device driver for the adapter is installed, do the following steps:
1. If necessary, log in as root user.
2. Type lslpp -l devices.pciex.14106803.rte and press Enter.

If the device driver is installed, the following table is an example of the data that appears.
Fileset

Level

State

Description
Path: /usr/lib/objrepos devices.pciex.14106803.rte 5.x.0.0 COMMITTED 4-Port 10/100/1000 Base-TX PCI Express Software


3. Confirm that the devices.pciex.14106803.rte file sets are installed. If no data displays in the window, reinstall the driver.

Installing the adapter

This section explains how to install the adapter. If you are installing the operating system at this time, install the adapter before you install the operating system. If the operating system is already installed and you need to install the device driver for this adapter, install the device driver software before you install the adapter.

Attention: Before installing an adapter, review the precautions in Safety information and Handling static sensitive devices. Do not remove the adapter from its anti-static package until you are ready to place it in the system unit.

To install the adapter, follow these steps:
1. Determine the PCIe slot in which to place the adapter.

The adapter has an x4 PCIe connector and can be placed in a x4, x8 or x16 slot. See the PCI adapter placement for machine type 94xx or PCI adapter placement for machine types 82xx and 91xx for information about the PCIe slots on your system unit.
2. Install the adapter using the instructions in the system unit service guide.

Verifying the adapter installation

To verify that the system unit recognizes the adapter, type lsdev -Cs pci at the command line and press Enter.

A list of PCI devices displays. If the adapter is installed correctly, the status of available for each port indicates that the adapter is installed and ready to use. If a message indicates that any of the ports are defined instead of available, shut down the server and verify that the adapter was installed correctly.

 

[DukeSSD]

jfmoreira,
Thanks for the star and posting the full process.
Have a star for your work.