nimol_install Command

Purpose

Sets up a configured NIMOL server to install AIX® to a specific client machine.

Syntax

nimol_install -c client_hostname [ -g gateway ] [-m mac_address] [ -p ip_address ] [ -s subnet_mask ] [-L label] [ -n ] [ -r ] [-D]

Description

The nimol_install command sets up a configured NIMOL server to network install a machine with AIX. The command peforms the following configuration.

The command determines the IP address of the client hostname if the client IP address isn't specified. If the client hostname isn't resolvable and a client IP address is specified, then the pair will be added to the /etc/hosts file if it does not exist.
The client is added to the /etc/nimol.conf file.
The directory of the resource label is exported to the client if it is not already globally exported.
A stanza for the client is added to the /etc/dhcpd.conf file. The client's subnet will also be added to the /etc/dhcpd.conf file if it does not exist. If the client or its subnet already exist in the /etc/dhcpd.conf file, an error is displayed.
A symbolic link to the boot image is created in the /tftpboot directory for the client.
A static arp entry is added if the client is on the same subnet as the NIMOL server.
The command will turn off the firewall rules to a client that is installing if the iptables command exists by running:
```
iptables -I INPUT 1 -s client_hostname -j ACCEPT
```
This allows the various services used by NIMOL to succeed. When a client is removed, the nimol_install command will run the following command to delete the rule: iptables -D INPUT -s client_hostname.
The command ensures that the required resources exist in the resource label's directory.
A nim_script is created in the scripts subdirectory of the resource label's directory if a resolv.conf or customization script was specified or if the client will remain a client of the NIMOL server after the installation. The nimol_install command will look for a general customization script in the resource label's directory named cust.script or a specific customization script for the client named client_name.script.
An information file is created in the /tftpboot directory that will be used during the installation of the operating system.
If the -l flag is specified, the command will list clients set up for an installation. A client will be removed if the -r flag is specified with a client name.
Once the client has been set up to install, the client must be told to perform a network install. If the client has AIX installed and is running, then use the bootlist command. For example, if the NIMOL server is 192.168.1.20 and the AIX client is 192.168.1.30, then to boot off ent0 run:
```
bootlist -m normal -ent0 bserver=192.168.1.20 \\
  gateway=0.0.0.0 client=192.168.1.30
```
then reboot by running:
```
shutdown -Fr
```
If the client is not running, then boot into the SMS menus and specify the network boot parameters and the network boot device. If the client is on the same subnet as the NIMOL server, then the client will be able to do a broadcast bootp install. A broadcast bootp does not require the IP parameters to be set; the bserver, gateway and client would be 0.0.0.0 on a broadcast bootp install.

Flags

Item	Description
-c client_hostname	Specifies the client hostname that will be set up for an install or will be removed.
-D	Runs the command in debug mode.
-g gateway	Specifies the gateway that will be configured after the client has installed AIX. This is required when installing a client.
-l	Lists the clients set up to install.
-L label	Specifies the label or name of resources with which to install the client. The default is `default`.
-m mac_address	Specifies the MAC address of the network interface the client will install over. This is required when installing a client. The MAC address must contain colons (for example `00:60:08:3F:E8:DF`).
-n	Specifies not to configure the machine to remain a client of the NIMOL server after the installation has completed. If this option is specified, the client will not have its network configured after the installation.
-p ip_address	Specifies the IP address of the client. Use this flag if the client's hostname is not resolvable.
-r	Removes the client. The client will not be able to install AIX until it is reconfigured. This flag requires a client hostname.
-s subnet_mask	Specifies the subnet mask of the client interface. This flag is required when installing a client.

Exit Status

Item	Description
0	The command completed successfully.
> 0	Error returned.

Security

If the machine remains a client of the NIMOL server (the -n flag is not specified), then it will give the NIMOL server /usr/bin/rsh permissions so it can run commands on the client.

Examples

To setup client myclient to install the aix530 resource label with gateway 192.168.1.1, MAC address 00:60:08:3F:E8:DF, and subnet mask 255.255.255.0, type:
```
nimol_install -c myclient -g 192.168.1.1 \\
  -m 00:60:08:3F:E8:DF -s 255.255.255.0 -L aix530
```
To setup client myclient and not have it remain a client to the NIMOL server after the installation, type:
```
nimol_install -n -c myclient -g 192.168.1.1 \\
  -m 00:60:08:3F:E8:DF -s 255.255.255.0 -L aix530
```
To list the clients configured to be installed, type:
```
nimol_install -l
```
To remove client myclient, type:
```
nimol_config -c myclient -r
```

Location

/usr/sbin/nimol_install

Files

Item	Description
/etc/nimol.conf	Stores configuration information for the command.