Chapter 3. Basic NIM Operations and Configuration

This section describes the following procedures for performing basic NIM operations and simple configuration tasks using the Web-based System Manager NIM interface (available in AIX Version 4.3) or the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT), as well as from the command line. The procedures in this section identify prerequisite tasks or conditions that must be met before performing the task.

• Configuring the NIM Master and Creating Basic Installation Resources
• Adding a Standalone NIM Client to the NIM Environment
• Using Installation Images to Install the Base Operating System (BOS) on a NIM Client (rte Install)
• Using a mksysb Image to Install the Base Operating System (BOS) on a NIM Client (mksysb Install)
• Using a SPOT-copy to Install the Base Operating System (BOS) on a NIM Client (SPOT-copy Install)
• Performing a Non-Prompted BOS Installation
• Installing to Clients on ATM Networks
• Customizing NIM Clients and SPOT Resources
• Configuring the NIM Master and Creating Resources to Support Diskless and Dataless Clients Only
• Adding a Diskless or Dataless Client to the NIM Environment
• Initializing and Booting a Diskless or Dataless Machine
• Uninitializing Diskless and Dataless Machines
• Installing an Alternate Disk with a mksysb Image on a NIM Client

To start the Web-based System Manager NIM interface from an X-Windows session on the NIM master, enter:

  wsm nim

Notes:

1. For additional information about NIM operations and the required and optional attributes to customize operations, see Network Installation Management Concepts.
2. For assistance, use the online contextual help available for both the Web-based System Manager and SMIT interfaces.

   Extended help is available in the Web-based System Manager interface, offering guidance for tasks you may need to do in NIM. To view extended help, select Contents from the Help menu in the NIM container. See Using Web-based System Manager for further information about using the Web-based System Manager graphical interface.

3. For tasks performed at the command line, the root user must be using ksh. Unexpected results can occur if the root user is set to another shell, such as csh.
4. If errors occur, it may be necessary to reset the machine before retrying the operation. For the procedure to reset a NIM client, see Resetting Machines.