AIX with EMC CLARiiON CX/VNX: Legacy ODM, Agent and PowerPath Setup
This source describes historical AIX / EMC CLARiiON CX/VNX integration, including PowerPath 5.3.0.0. Its package names and FTP location are archived examples, not current downloads or a compatibility matrix. Select supported packages for the exact AIX, array and multipathing configuration before planning installation and reboot.
1. Install the AIX ODM definitions
The historical ODM download location is ftp://ftp.emc.com/pub/elab/aix/ODM_DEFINITIONS. Upload the appropriate package to AIX, decompress it, then extract it. The missing space after -xvf in the source is corrected:
# uncompress EMC.AIX.5.3.0.3.tar.Z
# tar -xvf EMC.AIX.5.3.0.3.tar
x README.5303, 36133 bytes, 71 tape blocks
x EMC.AIX.5.3.0.3, 51814400 bytes, 101200tape blocksOpen SMIT installation and select the applicable filesets:
# smitty installp
EMC CLARiiON AIX Support Software
EMC CLARiiON FCP Support Software
EMC CLARiiON HA Concurrent SupportThe HA Concurrent Support component requires HACMP and the following filesets; it is not an instruction to install a cluster component on every host:
cluster.es.server.rte
cluster.base.server.rteFor each PowerPath-managed FC SCSI device, the source enables fast I/O failure. Replace fscsix with the actual device, such as fscsi0 or fscsi1:
chdev -l fscsix -a fc_err_recov=fast_fail -PHere -P is an AIX persistent-configuration flag. The source calls for a planned reboot after ODM installation; its typographic dash is normalized below. This command restarts the host:
# shutdown -Fr2. Install and check the Navisphere host agent
Obtain the appropriate legacy Navisphere agent package and upload it to the AIX host. Install NAVIAGENT, then restart its service:
# installp -agXd . NAVIAGENT
# /etc/rc.agent stop
Navisphere Agent is not running
# /etc/rc.agent start
Starting Navisphere Agent
#The source checks the process with:
# ps -ef |grep navi
root 119028 1 021:41:42 - 0:00 /usr/bin/naviagent-f /etc/Navisphere/agent.config
root 106774 126982 021:41:47 pts/0 0:00 grep navi
#That process excerpt is retained as printed, including the joined naviagent-f text; it is not an executable command recommendation. If the real agent is absent after installation/start, investigate its logs, dependencies and supported version. The source suggests replacing an incompatible agent, but absence alone does not prove a version mismatch.
3. Install PowerPath for AIX
Do not run powermt config while installp or SMIT is adding, removing or updating PowerPath. The source warns this can crash the system. Complete software installation before configuration.
Upload a compatible PowerPath package. The source starts with the following archive:
# gunzip EMCPower.AIX.5.3.0.GA.tar.gzIts following tar command instead names EMC.AIX.5.3.0.3.tar and repeats the ODM README/output. That is an inconsistent archive reference. Extract the actual PowerPath tar file produced by your download; do not unpack the earlier ODM archive as a substitute. The repeated source excerpt is preserved for comparison:
# tar -xvf EMC.AIX.5.3.0.3.tar
x README.5303, 36133 bytes, 71 tape blocks
x EMC.AIX.5.3.0.3, 51814400 bytes, 101200tape blocksAfter verifying the installation source, the archived installation command and complete output are:
#installp -agXd . EMCpower
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Pre-installationVerification...
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Verifying selections...done
Verifying requisites...done
Results...
SUCCESSES
---------
Filesets listed in thissection passed pre-installation verification
and will be installed.
Selected Filesets
-----------------
EMCpower.base 5.3.0.0 #PowerPath Base Driver and Ut...
EMCpower.consistency_grp5.3.0.0 #PowerPath Consistency Group ...
EMCpower.encryption 5.3.0.0 #PowerPath Encryption with RSA
EMCpower.migration_enabler 5.3.0.0 #PowerPath Migration Enabler ...
EMCpower.mpx 5.3.0.0 #PowerPath Multi_Pathing Exte...
<< End of SuccessSection >>
Installation Summary
--------------------
Name Level Part Event Result
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMCpower.base 5.3.0.0 USR APPLY SUCCESS
EMCpower.mpx 5.3.0.0 USR APPLY SUCCESS
EMCpower.migration_enabler 5.3.0.0 USR APPLY SUCCESS
EMCpower.encryption 5.3.0.0 USR APPLY SUCCESS
EMCpower.consistency_grp 5.3.0.0 USR APPLY SUCCESS 4. Register the authorized license
Run registration with your own entitlement. The original license value is removed; the successful-registration lines are historical example output, not a license supplied by this article:
# emcpreg -install
=========== EMC PowerPathRegistration ===========
Do you have a new registration key or keysto enter?[n] y
Enter the registration keys(s) for yourproduct(s),
one per line, pressing Enter after eachkey.
After typing all keys, press Enter again.
Key (Enter if done): <YOUR_AUTHORIZED_LICENSE_KEY>
1 key(s) successfully added.
Key successfully installed.
Key (Enter if done):
1 key(s) successfully registered.Enter the authorized key, then press Enter again when finished. The source notes that an upgrade can reuse an existing registration; confirm the applicable upgrade entitlement. List installed registration information locally:
# emcpreg -list5. Configure policy, discover devices and check paths
The source uses the CLARiiON-optimized co policy. Confirm that policy is supported for the target array/PowerPath version; dev=all affects every managed device:
# powermt set policy=co dev=all
# powermt config
# powermt save
# powermt display dev=allThe example expects all intended paths to be alive. Investigate unexpected dead/missing paths, including cabling and SAN zoning. All paths alive is not a complete array or application health check. To inspect the underlying hdiskX paths for one pseudo-device:
powermt display dev=hdiskpower0English references: Dell EMC Host Connectivity Guide for IBM AIX; IBM AIX fast I/O failure. These support the FC setting context; they do not certify every legacy package above.