Error "Invalid or no boot device specified" from mksysb or mkszfile

Environment

Problem

The error "Invalid or no boot device specified" is received when running a mksysb or a mkszfile.

Solution

To resolve the error, complete the following steps:

1. Verify that the link to /dev/ipldevice is correct for the bosboot command. The device should be linked to the physical volume that has hd5 on it. Find which disk has hd5 on it by entering:

   # lslv -m hd5
   

   The output will be similar to the following:

   hd5:N/A
   LP      PP1     PV1             PP2     PV2             PP3     PV3
   001     0001    hdisk0
   

   The output should list one disk. If there is mirroring, two or three may display.
   
   
2. Create a link for the ipldevice to the raw hdisk, that is, use the rhdisk# instead of the hdisk#.
   
   
3. If /dev/ipldevice already exists, verify that it is pointing to the correct disk and that it displays the correct major and minor numbers.
   • Enter the following commands:

     # cd /dev
     # ls -l ipldevice
     

     The output displays similar to the following:

     crw-rw----   2 root     system    10,  3 Apr 30 22:28 ipldevice
     

   • Search for the major and minor numbers displayed. Using the preceding output for example, you would enter (10 is the major number, 3 is the minor number):

     ls -l | grep "10, 3"
     

     The output displays similar to the following:

     brw-rw----   1 root     system    10,  3 May 22 16:00 hd5
     crw-rw----   2 root     system    10,  3 Apr 30 22:28 ipldevice
     crw-rw----   2 root     system    10,  3 Apr 30 22:28 rhd5
     

   Using the sample output from the lslv -m hd5 command in step 2, the ipldevice above is incorrectly linked to rhd5. It should be linked to rhdisk0.
   
   
4. Incorrect links should be removed and relinked to the correct rhdisk using hard links. Enter the following commands:

   # rm ipldevice
   # ln rhdisk0 /dev/ipldevice
   # ls -l ipldevice rhdisk0
   
   crw-------   2 root     system    19,  0 Apr 30 22:28 ipldevice
   crw-------   2 root     system    19,  0 Apr 30 22:28 rhdisk0
   

   This is the correct method for linking the ipldevice.