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Status Delivered
Workspace IBM i
Categories Install and Upgrade and Licensing
Created by Guest
Created on Mar 8, 2021

RELATED IDEAS

API to set Service Tools Lan Interface Configuration

One of the cool features I use to rapidly deploy many partitions is a combination of flash copy on Storwize along with customized startup jobs that recognize the change of partition and/or system and perform customization of the partition on the fly.

Howsomever one of the things I cannot do is for to set the IP address of the Service Tools LAN interface. This being a problem as now every clone has the same address and the only way to fix that is to let my fingers do the walking. In short it takes more time to change this one address (Set up a console, log in , STRSST, many menu options, enter address, save, activate, exit exit exit, sign off) than it takes to create the entire partition (Flash copy, IPL, customize, GO! <- note all that is 100% scripted and at no time do my fingers ever leave my hands.)

I believe an API is best. I can see maybe possibly doing this in Ansible but I am not using any of that at this time so that would be a major deployment effort on its own.


Use Case:

Attempting to make elcheapo and elquicko partitions available for short time use. Sign up, use partition, try something, makeamess, thatsucks, quit. Partition is recycled. Yippie but people want to try doing PTFs. or want to try doing an upgrade. Can't afford the disk space that takes or the hassle upgrading those images on board the partition. Network based images catalogues to the rescue! *ALMOST* Gotta manually set STLAN interface. #FAIL.


Idea priority Medium
  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Jun 7, 2022

    The STSCONFIG command was added to the QSMGSSTD API, and its command syntax is at the link below.
    https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.2?topic=ssw_ibm_i_72/apis/qsmgsstd.htm
    The command will not show up in the supported list of commands, so use the description below to supplement the documentation.

    CALL PGM(QSMGSSTD) PARM('STSCONFIG -RSC CMN03 -ip xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx -GATE xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx -MASK 255.255.252.0 -SYS networkName' X'00000081' 'SSTD0100' X'00000000')

    - The STSCONFIG is API command name, requires 30 characters (blank filled).
    - The RSC - Resource name, allows 10 characters.
    - The IP, GATE, and MASK, allows 4 sets of IP.
    - The SYS is the network name, it allows 12 characters (currently 11 characters, but going to 12 characters eventually).
    - X'00000081' is the command length 129 characters.
    - 'SSTD0100' is the API type and is required.
    - X'00000000' is the place for a return code, the API requires it.

    The API is intended to replace having to go into SST to perform the work, so the QSMGSSTD API requires that the XPF user ID be linked to a Service Tool user ID.
    The QSECOFR ID has a link to the Service Tool QSECOFR ID, so this pair of user IDs has the required linkage.
    If the user is using a different XPF user ID other then QSECOFR, then they have to make sure it's linked to a Service Tool user ID.

    In SST working with the Service Tool user IDs, when an ID is created it can be linked to an XPF ID, or an existing Service Tool user ID can be given a link.
    The linked XPF user can only be used once, so each Service Tool user ID requires a unique XPF ID.

    The commands on the QSMGSSTD API require the linked Service Tool user ID to have at least D/A/D privilege, but the STSCONFIG command requires the Service Tool security privilege, because a configuration is being changed.

    In 7.4, the user doesn't need to go into SST to create and/or change a Service Tool user ID; there are XPF commands that allow that:
    See commands CRTSSTUSR, CHGSSTUSR, and DSPSSTUSR
    https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.4?topic=ssw_ibm_i_74/cl/crtsstusr.htmhttps://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.4?topic=ssw_ibm_i_74/cl/chgsstusr.htmhttps://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.1?topic=ssw_ibm_i_71/cl/dspsstusr.htm

    API PTF MF69628 will pull in these PTFs.. Release 7.5
    PREREQ 5770999 V7R4M0 MF69557 00/00 0000 Pre-req cnfglan
    PREREQ 5770999 V7R4M0 MF69684 00/00 0000 Pre-req dumpgsd
    Add 5770999 V7R4M0 MF69796 Helper PTF which deactivates the resource when the Activation Engine clears the config
    These PTFs are in the first cum package.

    API PTF MF69627 will pull in these PTFs.. Release 7.4
    PREREQ 5770999 V7R4M0 MF69556 00/00 0000 Pre-req cnfglan
    PREREQ 5770999 V7R4M0 MF69683 00/00 0000 Pre-req dumpgsd
    PREREQ 5770999 V7R4M0 MF68473 00/00 0000 Previous Trace pre-req
    PREREQ 5770999 V7R4M0 MF66287 00/00 0000 Previous multipath disk unit pre-req
    Add 5770999 V7R4M0 MF69787 Helper PTF which deactivates the resource when the Activation Engine clears the config

    API PTF MF69626 will pull in these PTFs.. Release 7.3
    TR 5770999 V7R3M0 MF99212 00/00 0000 Technology Refresh PTF
    PREREQ 5770999 V7R4M0 MF69555 00/00 0000 Pre-req cnfglan
    PREREQ 5770999 V7R4M0 MF69682 00/00 0000 Pre-req dumpgsd
    Add 5770999 V7R4M0 MF69795 Helper PTF which deactivates the resource when the Activation Engine clears the config

    IBM Power Systems Development

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Jan 20, 2022

    IBM will use this request as input to planning but no commitment is made or implied. This request will be updated in the future if IBM implements it. IBM will use votes and comments from others in the community to help prioritize this request.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Jan 10, 2022

    We would like more specific information related to the Use Case, so this RFE is being changed to ???Need More Information".
    1. What is the main purpose to having the Service Tool Server (SRVLAN) ? For example, is it to do this command?: CRTDEVOPT DEVD(NFS) RSRCNAME(*VRT) LCLINTNETA(*SRVLAN) RMTINTNETA(???x.x.xxx.xx')
    2. Are any alternatives acceptable for your Use case? Perhaps a virtual device using the regular tall stack (TCP/IP) could be acceptable to you?

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Dec 1, 2021

    IBM has received the requirement and is evaluating it. IBM will provide a response after evaluation is complete.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Mar 9, 2021

    I concur from a support point of view, this would be a beneficial API/process to have.

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