IBM NIM

Network Installation Manager (NIM) is an IBM tool designed to automate the installation, configuration, and maintenance of AIX operating systems across multiple machines over a network.

• Centralized management of all AIX installations
• Standardized deployment of operating systems, updates, and patches
• Automated system backups and recovery
• Support for both diskless and disk-based clients

NIM Master:

The NIM Master is the central hub of the entire setup. It stores and manages all resources needed for client installations or maintenance. Key resources include:

• LPP_SOURCE – The AIX installation files and updates.
• SPOT – A bootable temporary environment for network installations.
• MKSYSB – Full system backup images of clients.
• CONFIG / SCRIPT – Automation scripts and configuration files to standardize client setups.

The Master communicates with clients primarily over TCP port 475, which is reserved for NIM protocol operations. This ensures commands, coordination, and status updates flow reliably between Master and Client.

Network Services:

Network services facilitate client booting and resource access:

• BOOTP/DHCP – Assigns IP addresses and provides boot parameters to clients. Diskless and disk-based clients both request their network configuration from the Master at startup.
• TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) – Transfers the SPOT boot image from the NIM Master to clients. This happens during the network boot phase.
• NFS (Network File System) – Allows clients to mount NIM resources like LPP_SOURCE, MKSYSB, CONFIG, and SCRIPT without storing them locally.

NIM Clients:

There are two types of clients in a NIM environment:

• Diskless Clients – Boot entirely over the network without using a local disk. They rely on SPOT and NFS resources to run the OS.
• Disk-based Clients – Standard AIX systems that use local disks but still boot over the network for installation or updates.

The client workflow follows this pattern:

• Power-On / Network Boot – Client sends a BOOTP/DHCP request.
• Boot Image Transfer – TFTP downloads SPOT from the NIM Master.
• Resource Mounting – NFS mounts resources needed for installation or updates.
• Installation / Restore / Update – Master coordinates the process over TCP 475.
• Reboot – Once completed, the client boots from its local disk (if disk-based) with a fully configured AIX system.

Data Flow:

• BOOTP/DHCP → IP and boot info assigned
• TFTP → SPOT boot image sent to client
• NFS → Resources mounted and accessed for installation
• TCP 475 → NIM commands, status updates, and session management

The NIM installation process follows these steps:

• Client Power-On – Client broadcasts BOOTP/DHCP request
• IP & Boot Info Assignment – NIM Master responds with IP configuration and SPOT location
• Boot Image Transfer – Client downloads SPOT image via TFTP
• Resource Mounting – Client mounts LPP_SOURCE, MKSYSB, CONFIG, SCRIPT via NFS
• Installation / Maintenance – NIM Master coordinates installation or restore over TCP port 475
• Client Reboot – Client boots from local disk as a fully configured AIX system

Implementing NIM provides several advantages:

• Centralized Management: Manage all AIX systems from a single NIM Master
• Automation: Eliminate manual installations and configurations
• Scalability: Deploy OS across dozens or hundreds of systems simultaneously
• System Backup & Restore: Use MKSYSB images for fast disaster recovery
• Consistency: Standardized resources minimize configuration drift
• Faster Deployment: Network-based booting speeds up installations
• Reduced Human Error: Scripted deployments reduce mistakes
• Flexible Updates: Apply patches and updates centrally
• Support for Diskless Clients: Ideal for test or thin-client environments
• Cost Efficiency: Reduce manual labor and installation media costs

Setting Up NIM Master

Prerequisites

• Hardware: IBM Power System (Power7/8/9/10), 4–8 GB RAM, 20 GB disk
• OS: Supported AIX version (7.1, 7.2, 7.3)
• NIM Packages: nim_master, bos.sysmgt.nim.master, bos.sysmgt.nim.spot
• Network: Static IP, NFS configured, BOOTP/DHCP ready
• Time Synchronization: NTP or chronyd recommended

Installation Steps

Install AIX on the system designated as NIM Master

Install required NIM packages:

# installp -agXd /mnt/lpp_7200-04-02/installp/ppc bos.sysmgt.nim.master bos.sysmgt.nim.spot bos.sysmgt.nim.client

Initialize NIM Master:

# smitty nim --> Configure the NIM Environment --> Advanced Configuration -->  Initialize the NIM Master Only

Configure NFS exports:
# startsrc -g nfs

# lssrc -g nfs

Subsystem         Group            PID          Status

biod             nfs              5112226      active

rpc.lockd        nfs              4325836      active

nfsd             nfs              6750656      active

rpc.mountd       nfs              6554006      active

rpc.statd        nfs              7209330      active

nfsrgyd          nfs                           inoperative

gssd             nfs                           inoperative

# vi /etc/exports

/export/lpp_source -rw,anon=0
/export/spot -rw,anon=0

# exportfs -ua

# exportfs -va

Configure BOOTP/DHCP as needed

Verify TCP Port 475 is open and NIM daemons are running

Defining NIM Resources

NIM relies on resources to manage clients:

• LPP_SOURCE: Installation files and patches
• SPOT: Bootable client environment
• MKSYSB: System backup image
• CONFIG/SCRIPT: Configuration and automation scripts

Example to define an LPP source:
Example:

Define LPP_SOURCE from DVD 1

# nim -o define -t lpp_source -a server=master -a source=/mnt/aix_7200-04-02-2027_1of2_072020.iso -a location=/export/lpp_source/lpp_7200-04-02 -a packages=all lpp_7200-04-02

Add Images from DVD 2

# nim -o update -a source=/mnt/aix_7200-04-02-2027_2of2_072020.iso -a packages=all lpp_7200-04-02

Create a SPOT from LPP_SOURCE:

# nim -o define -t spot -a server=master -a source=lpp_7200-04-02 -a location=/export/spot spot_7200-04-02

Client Operations

Install a client using SPOT & LPP_SOURCE:

# nim -o bos_inst -a spot=spot_7200-04-02 -a lpp_source=lpp_7200-04-02 <client>

Install from MKSYSB backup:

# nim -o bos_inst -a source=mksysb -a spot=spot_7200-04-02 -a mksysb=mksysb_backup <client>

Reset a client:

# nim -F -o reset <client>

NIM also supports advanced tasks like alternate disk migration and spot customization for patching or updates.

Updating LPP Source and SPOT

To update an existing LPP source with a new TL/SP:
Example:

# nim -o update -a packages=all -a source=/aix/AIX_v7.3_Install_7300-03-00-2446_LCD8299301.iso lpp_7300-03-00

Customize SPOT for alternative disk installation:

# nim -o cust -a lpp_source=lpp_7300-03-00 -a filesets=bos.alt_disk_install.rte spot_7300-03-00

# nim -o cust -a filesets=bos.alt_disk_install.boot_images -a lpp_source=lpp_7300-03-00 spot_7300-03-00