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Status Not under consideration
Workspace IBM i
Categories Install and Upgrade and Licensing
Created by Guest
Created on Jun 15, 2020

RELATED IDEAS

Enable IBM i system recovery using network image

Currently, even with BRMS cloud storage solution, full system recovery fore IBM i is not achievable 100%completely via network. You need to load LIC and OS initially from some type of physical device like tape or DVD drive and then restore rest from the network.
It will be great if BRMS and/or IBMi native commands can create full system backup on bootable iso image, or at least enable the creation of bootable iso image for LIC and OS only, which can be used to boot from the network. The image repository can be any NFS or FTP/SFTP server, which can host the bootable image created via full system backup.
So the potential recovery scenario would be:
1. D mode IPL from VIOS virtual image I_BASE_01
2. In DST define TCP/IP configuration for remote system containing the bootable Full backup image/s
3. Select alternative installation device to be the network interface
4. Select the bootable network image
5. Restore LIC, OS and rest of the system completely using the network.

This will allow IBMi to be completely recovered from the network without the need of using any physical media.


Use Case:

Full system recovery via network, without the need of physical media to load LIC and OS initially.


Idea priority Medium
  • Guest
    Jul 16, 2021

    I've found the way to do so, thanks!

    https://bit.ly/3d01iY4

    https://bit.ly/2TgA09j

  • Guest
    Jun 29, 2021

    IBM believes the recommended steps solve the IBM i system recovery using network image problem. As there has been no additional information indicating otherwise, IBM will decline this RFE. If a need persists that is not addressed by the recommended steps, a new RFE should be created.

  • Guest
    Apr 13, 2021

    .IBM believes this functionality currently exists but you will need to follow specific steps.
    To accomplish this, the "IBM i Network Install using Network File System" document will be required: ftp://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/support/power/i/nfs_optical_upgrade.pdf
    1. Follow the setup steps through 3.2.1.1 step 1 on the IBM i you want to create a bootable backup from.
    2. FTP the contents of the image catalog directory to your backup server.
    3. Follow 3.2.1.1 steps 2 through 7 on your backup server using its equivalent server-specific commands.
    You will now have a network bootable IBM i image on your backup server. Please add a Comment to this RFE to let us know if this procedure is the solution you needed.

  • Guest
    Dec 9, 2020

    Due to processing by IBM, this request was reassigned to have the following updated attributes:
    Brand - Servers and Systems Software
    Product family - Power Systems
    Product - IBM i
    Component - Install, Upgrade, Licensing
    Operating system - IBM i
    Source - Client

    For recording keeping, the previous attributes were:
    Brand - Servers and Systems Software
    Product family - Power Systems
    Product - IBM i
    Component - Save, Restore
    Operating system - IBM i
    Source - Client

  • Guest
    Dec 2, 2020

    The procedure - https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/upgrade-using-nfs-remote-virtual-image-catalog ,assumes that you have an active IBMi LPAR that can be used as NFS server to host the images. What I'm referring to, is a capability to use any NFS/FTP server on any platform to host the bootable images.

  • Guest
    Dec 1, 2020

    IBM believes this functionality currently exists. Please refer to the following documentation and respond if this satisfies this request:

    https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/upgrade-using-nfs-remote-virtual-image-catalog

  • Guest
    Aug 25, 2020

    Hello,

    What you are asking for is currently already possible if you use a NFS server where the iso images are located for the lic code. This could be an IBM i LPAR by the way.

    When activating an LPAR from an HMC under the tab "Network Settings" you have the option to specify a Boot server IP address and a Server Directory Path. For the Partition itself you can specify a Network Adapter IP address Subnet Mask and Gateway. Adapter Speed/Duplex and VLAN Tag identifier.

    This all will allow you to do a Network boot for your LPAR and get you where you want to access the recovery media.

    I hope the above will help you in what you want to do.

    Greetings Rudi

  • Guest
    Aug 24, 2020

    The CEAC has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM view this as a MEDIUM priority requirement that should be addressed.

    Background: The COMMON Europe Advisory Council (CEAC) members have a broad range of experience in working with small and medium-sized IBM i customers. CEAC has a crucial role in working with IBM i development to help assess the value and impact of individual RFEs on the broader IBM i community and has therefore reviewed your RFE.

    To find out how CEAC help to shape the future of IBM i, see CEAC @ ibm.biz/BdYSYj and the article "The Five Hottest IBM i RFEs Of The Quarter" at ibm.biz/BdYSZT

    Therese Eaton – CEAC Program Manager, IBM

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