NIM allows you to install an AIX 4.3 or later mksysb image (mksysb resource) on a NIM client's alternate disk or to clone a NIM client's current disk onto an alternate disk and apply updates. Because the client system is running during installation, less time is required than with a normal install.
Note: See alt_disk_install for detailed information about the different ways NIM can customize an alternate disk installation.
The alt_disk_install command is initiated on the target system, and progress is shown with the lsnim command. In addition, a log kept on the target system, /var/adm/ras/alt_disk_inst.log, contains progress messages and any error or warning messages that might occur. The /var/adm/ras/nim.alt_disk_install log will contain debug information, if requested.
Initiate the alt_disk_install operation by entering:
nim -o alt_disk_install -a source=mksysb -a mksysb=Mksysb \-a disk='diskname(s)' ClientName
Specify the mksysb resource to be used and any additional options for customizing the installation. To perform a simple alternate disk mksysb install, specify the source, mksysb, and disk resources.
Note: For detailed information about the mksysb resources, see mksysb Resource.
To clone a disk onto a NIM client's alternate disk, enter:
nim -o alt_disk_install -a source=rootvg -a disk=diskname(s) ClientName
Specify any additional options for customizing the installation.
The client machine machine1 is a running system with a disk, hdisk2, that is not currently occupied by a volume group.
nim -o alt_disk_install -a source=mksysb -a mksysb=43mksysb \-a disk=hdisk2 machine1
nim -o alt_disk_install -a source=rootvg -a disk=hdisk2 machine1