Specific Installation question

[solid7]

Just to reiterate - I'm VERY new at system administration on AIX.

So I'm trying to install new directories and applications in AIX 5.2. If I just assume conventional logic, I change to the root directory, (logged in as root user) and attempt to install Mozilla, for example. My first task is to create a directory called "Mozilla 1.7." No problem. However, when I try to unzip the files, (using gunzip blah blah blah) I get a "no space left on device" message. I don't have anything more than my OS installed, so I know that's not true. I do know that it's not that simple with AIx, but I don't know how to allocate space, or change the size of .... umm... volumes, partitions... uhhh something. Yes, my problem is understanding this whole LVM thing.

I also have a problem when I try to create an empty directory called "users."

Setup information - 36GB hard drive, (OS only installed) rootvg is volume group label, no other changes to BOS installation.

I have a pretty basic understanding of UNIX, but from using SCO, and AIX as a technical user - zero administration.

Thank you for tolerating my rambling.


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[reneford]

You really have to understand how the LVM thing work.

Your problem is probably that you use gunzip in a File System that is too small. The error you have said to you that your File System is Full, not your Hard Drive.

It's difficult to explain the LVM in a few line.

Just search a .pdf or a redbook that explain
"AIX STORAGE MANAGEMENT". If you don't understand this, you're in trouble... Good Luck and Enjoy as much as I enjoy Administrating AIX Unix System RS/6000!

 

[solid7]

I have the redbook. It is quite overwhelming, and a strange new world to me.

Since it's so new to me, I need to take "baby steps," and some good analogies, or basic fundamentals would help me greatly.

For example, I know that rootvg is my volume group.

That's clear. I don't understand filesystems being full, and how to allocate more space. Further, I don't understand if I need multiple volume groups, logical volumes, etc...

I am used to SCO. I don't know how to deal with this LVM, but I'm very willing to learn. I just need to know where to start, and I need to start with small words... I can handle big words later, but everything in it's season.

Thanks for your reply.


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[reneford]

Maybe it can help you to start...

Volume Group = Group of Physical Disk.

Logical Volume = Logical Partition of your Hard Drive.

File System = Group of Logical Partition. Whe can compare it to a window. If the window is mounted, you see your data. If the window is not mounted, you don't see your data.

 

[kHz]

I would unzip Mozilla - or any application - in /usr not in the root filesystem (/).

 

[hfaix]

make your mozilla directory under /usr somewhere.

For example....

/usr/local/Mozilla.1.7

this is ofcourse pending you have enough space in the /usr file system.

what do you get from

df -k

 

[solid7]

I'll answer that question in just a bit. I'm having some sort of problem. I unhooked the machine to do some new moving around, and now I can't login... I type in root, and my password, and all I get is a bounceback to the login screen. (it acts like it wants to go)

If I have to reinstall, I'll be back later.

Thanks, and talk soon.


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[solid7]

just got a clue from the startup...

I remember I had some sort of error with TCP/IP before I shut down. I get stuck for a long time after the following lines:

finished starting TCP/Ip daemons
Starting NFS services
0513-059 The biod subsytem has been started. system PID is ....


That's where I am hung. Then, I have the problem with the login. Accepts password, but instead of starting the environment manager, bounces back to login.

I'll probably just reinstall.


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[solid7]

Hello again.

df -k nets the following result:

Filesystem 1024-blocks Free %Used Iused %Iused Mounted on
/dev/hd4 65536 51912 21% 1520 5% /
/dev/hd2 1048576 31836 97% 24780 10% /usr
/dev/hd9var 65536 57984 12% 300 2% /var
/dev/hd3 65536 63404 4% 32 1% /tmp
/dev/hd1 65536 63404 4% 18 1% /home
/proc - - - - - /proc
/dev/hd10opt 65536 54172 18% 461 3% /opt





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[hfaix]

It looks as though /usr is almost full.

You'll most likely need to increase the /usr file system.

I would first check to see how much space is available in the volume group.

"lsvg rootvg"

and look for "PP SIZE:" and "FREE PPs"

you'll then want to increase the filesystem size with
"smit chjfs"

assuming you're /usr is jfs (determine this with lsvg -l rootvg" and look for /usr)

 

[solid7]

smit chjfs.

OK, that's fine. Which numbers do I change?




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[ggauthier]

solid7,
From your output above:

Filesystem  1024-blocks Free  %Used  Iused  %Iused  Mounted on
/dev/hd2        1048576 31836   97%  24780     10%  /usr

That is a 1 GB filesystem.

AIX deals with with many filesystem items in 512-byte size. When you look at the "smit chfs" screen, you will see a number that is twice what you list in the your df output, since you listed in 1024-blocks.

As an example, if you want to add 256 MB, the math works out to be 524288 blocks additional. The new total you would place in the smit screen is 2621440.

You achieve the same change from the command line:
chfs -a size=2621440 /usr

Good luck

gg

 

[solid7]

The only thing I'm still uncertain about at this point - I have several labels of "hdisk0X", where X = a different variable. All are assigned to /dev. Does this make each on a physical volume? I assume these to be a partition, but my Redbook example shows this as a physical volume, and it also defines a physical volume as a unique storage device.

I would have thought that these would have been partitions - as in physical partitions. if that's the case, how do I make the distinction between a physical volume, and a physical partition?

Thank you for bearing with me, and please be advised to all who have helped thus far, I really feel it important to nail down terminology before I experiment too much. As of yet, I've done little hands on, (perhaps against the recommendation of some) but I want to make sure that I have the theory figured out before I proceed. I'm very serious to learn, and I'll devote as much time as it takes to get it done...


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[hfaix]

ggauthier - In AIX 5.2, you can use MB or GB in smit chjfs

I would change it to something like this

NEW mount point [/usr]
SIZE of file system
Unit Size Megabytes
Number of units [+256]

This will add 256 MB to the /usr file system

 

[hfaix]

Use the "lspv" command to list all the physical volumes
(mostly hdisks)

Use "lsdev -Cc disk" for a different look at the physical disks on the machine.

 

[hfaix]

You may also find the output from "lsvg rootvg" and "lsvg -l rootvg" helpful during the learning curve.