Creating a Skytap AIX VM from a mksysb image

This article describes how to use the AIX NIM Master with SPOTs template to create a Skytap AIX VM from a mksysb image. You can use a mksysb image that you created from another Skytap AIX VM or from an on-premises AIX LPAR that you imaged and then uploaded to Skytap.

See Creating system backups for instructions about creating a mksysb image from an on-premises AIX LPAR.

To create a mksysb image from a Skytap AIX VM, see Creating a mksysb from an AIX VM in Skytap.

Step 1 – Create an environment from a NIM master template

The mksysb restore process requires a Skytap environment that includes the AIX NIM Master with SPOTs VM.

To create an environment from the Skytap AIX NIM Master with SPOTs template. See Creating an environment from a template.

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

Step 2 – Restore the mksysb image in Skytap

Start the environment that contains the AIX NIM Master with SPOTs template.

On the Skytap AIX NIM Master with SPOTs VM:

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 Software Installation and Maintenance Tasks > Install and Update Software > Install the Base Operating System on Standalone Clients.
Select mksysb - Install from a mksysb.
Select the mksysb and SPOT for the LPAR that you want to import.
Accept the default values.
Exit SMIT, and then type lsnim -l [client name] to check the status of the restore process.

For more information about using mksysb to restore a system backup, see Restoring an AIX system backup from a CD or DVD.