Creating a mksysb image from an AIX VM in Skytap

This article describes how to add a NIM master to an existing Skytap environment that contains an AIX VM and to create a mksysb image from the AIX VM.

Step 1 - Add a NIM master to the environment

Add the AIX NIM Master with SPOTs template to the environment that contains the AIX VM that you want to back up.

See Adding VMs to an environment.

Choose the template in the same region where you intend to import.

Step 2 – Configure the Skytap AIX VM that you want to back up

On the client VM:

Make sure the hard disk of the client VM has at least 5 GB of free space.

For instructions about extending an AIX hard disk, see Adding or extending a virtual disk.
Note the hostname of the client VM (for example {myhostname}).

For instructions about viewing the VM hostname, see Editing a VM hostname or primary IP address.
From the command line, type chvg -g rootvg.
Make sure bootps and tftpd are uncommented in /etc/inetd.conf.
Change the permissions for tftpd with the command: chmod 555 /usr/sbin/tftpd.

Step 3 – Add the AIX VM as a client to the NIM Master and check NIM master resources

On the NIM master VM:

Make sure there’s enough free space on the NIM master to store the mksysb image of the client.

For instructions about extending an AIX hard disk, see Adding or extending a virtual disk.
From the command line, type smit niminit.
Enter the following values (and leave the rest as default):
- Machine Name: {myhostname} (use the hostname of the VM from step 2, above.).
- Primary Network Install Interface: en0
- Host Name of Network Install Master: nimmaster.example.com
- Communication Protocol used by client: shell
From the command line, type lsnim. You should see the client listed as type machines.

Optional: From the command line, type lsnim -l {resource name}. This should list the details for the client. cstate should be ready for a NIM operation.

Step 3 – Create a mksysb image from the client

On the NIM master:

Make sure that /etc/hosts on both the NIM master and the client include the IP address and fully qualified domain name for both the NIM master and the client.

For example:
```
 10.0.0.1     nimmaster.example.com
 10.0.0.2     {myhostname}.example.com
 
```
For instructions about viewing the VM hostname and IP address, see Editing a VM hostname or primary IP address.
From the command line, type smit nim.
Select Perform NIM Administration Tasks > Manage Resources > Define a Resource.

If you have multiple clients, you’ll be prompted to select a NIM client.
Select mksysb.
Provide values for the following:
- Resource name: {myhostname}
- Server of Resource: master
- Location of Resource: /export/mksysbimages/{myhostname}mksysb
- CREATE system backup image?: yes
- NIM CLIENT to backup: [use F4 to select the appropriate client machine]
- EXPAND /tmp if needed?: yes
- Create MAP files?: yes
From the command line, type lsnim to verify that the resource has been added.

To create an AIX VM in Skytap from the mksysb image, see Restoring a mksysb image to an AIX VM.