Install QEMU PPC64 on Ubuntu 24.04.4 & Deploy IBM AIX 7.2 TL04 SP02

This document provides a step-by-step guide for installing QEMU (PPC64) on an Ubuntu Server virtual machine and deploying IBM AIX 7.2 TL04 SP02 (7200-04-02) using software-based POWER8 emulation.

Build a functional AIX lab environment on standard x86 hardware
Test AIX installations and configurations safely
Practice system administration tasks
Experiment with OpenSSH, networking, and storage configuration
Perform development and compatibility testing

Since POWER architecture emulation is performed using QEMU’s Tiny Code Generator (TCG), performance will be lower than native IBM Power Systems hardware. However, this setup is ideal for lab, learning, and proof-of-concept environments.

The following sections detail system requirements, virtualization configuration, QEMU installation, AIX deployment, and post-installation considerations.

1. Prerequisites
1.1 Hardware Requirements

CPU with Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI
Minimum 16 GB RAM recommended
At least 60 GB disk space
VMware Workstation Pro or Player

AIX under QEMU uses TCG (software emulation) for POWER architecture.
VT-x/AMD-V is required for the Linux VM performance, not for POWER acceleration.

2. Create Ubuntu Server VM in VMware Workstation
2.1 Create Virtual Machine
Open VMware Workstation
Create New Virtual Machine
Select:
Guest OS: Linux
Version: Ubuntu 64-bit

Load iso Image: ubuntu-24.04.4-live-server-amd64
Assign:
8–16 GB RAM
4+ CPU cores
100 GB disk (recommended)
Network:
Bridged or NAT (Bridged preferred if using TAP networking)
2.2 Enable CPU Virtualization
VM →
VM Settings → Processors → Enable:
Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI
Virtualize CPU performance counters (optional)
Also verify BIOS virtualization is enabled on host machine.

3. Install Ubuntu Server
Download Ubuntu Server ISO from: https://ubuntu.com/download/server
ubuntu-24.04.4-live-server-amd64.iso

Install ubuntu-24.04.4 server in VMware Workstation

Power on VM
Try or Install Ubuntu server
Select English --> Ubuntu Server --> Configure Network --> Configure Storage (LVM) ---> Setup User ID & Password --> Install OpenSSH Server --Installation In-Progress...... take sometime to install ubuntu server
After installation complete:
Install normally and update system:
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt upgrade -y

4. Install QEMU for POWER (PPC64)
$ sudo apt update

$ sudo apt install qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients bridge-utils dnsmasq-base

$ sudo systemctl enable --now libvirtd

$ sudo virsh net-autostart default
$ sudo apt install qemu-system-ppc -y

Verify installation:
$ qemu-system-ppc64 --version

QEMU emulator version 8.2.2 (Debian 1:8.2.2+ds-0ubuntu1.12)

5. Prepare AIX Installation Media
Required:
IBM AIX 7.2 TL04 SP02 ISO images
Disk 1 ISO
Disk 2 ISO
Example:
aix_7200-04-02-2027_1of2_072020.iso
aix_7200-04-02-2027_2of2_072020.iso
Create directory:

$ sudo mkdir -p /aix/image
Copy:

AIX ISOs
Create qcow2 disk image:

# qemu-img create -f qcow2 /aix/image/aix_7200-04.qcow2 30G

6. Configure TAP Networking
Install bridge utilities:

$ sudo apt install bridge-utils -y
Create TAP interface:

sudo ip tuntap add dev tap1 mode tap
$ sudo ip link set tap1 up
If using bridge:

$ sudo brctl addbr br0
$ sudo brctl addif br0 tap1
$ sudo ip link set br0 up

7. Start AIX Installation via QEMU
Run:

# qemu-system-ppc64 \
-name indaixtst01 \
-cpu POWER8 -smp 4,threads=1 \
-machine pseries,cap-cfpc=broken,cap-ibs=broken,cap-ccf-assist=off \
-m 8G \
-serial stdio \
-display none \
-device spapr-vscsi,id=scsi0 \
-drive file=/aix/image/aix_7200-04.qcow2,if=none,id=drive1,format=qcow2,cache=none \
-device scsi-hd,drive=drive1,bus=scsi0.0,scsi-id=0 \
-drive file=/aix/image/aix_7200-04-02-2027_1of2_072020.iso,if=none,id=cd1,format=raw,media=cdrom \
-device scsi-cd,drive=cd1,bus=scsi0.0,scsi-id=3,bootindex=1 \
-drive file=/aix/image/aix_7200-04-02-2027_2of2_072020.iso,if=none,id=cd2,format=raw,media=cdrom \
-device scsi-cd,drive=cd2,bus=scsi0.0,scsi-id=4 \
-netdev tap,id=net1,ifname=tap1,script=no,downscript=no \
-device spapr-vlan,netdev=net1,mac=52:54:00:11:00:12 \
-prom-env "input-device=vty" \
-prom-env "output-device=vty"

SLOF **********************************************************************

QEMU Starting

Build Date = Dec 15 2025 12:33:49

FW Version = release 20230918

Press "s" to enter Open Firmware.

Populating /vdevice methods

Populating /vdevice/vty@71000000

Populating /vdevice/nvram@71000001

Populating /vdevice/v-scsi@71000002

SCSI: Looking for devices

8000000000000000 DISK : "QEMU QEMU HARDDISK 2.5+"

8300000000000000 CD-ROM : "QEMU QEMU CD-ROM 2.5+"

8400000000000000 CD-ROM : "QEMU QEMU CD-ROM 2.5+"

Populating /vdevice/l-lan@71000003

Populating /pci@800000020000000

00 0000 (D) : 1234 1111 qemu vga

00 0800 (D) : 1033 0194 serial bus [ usb-xhci ]

Installing QEMU fb

Scanning USB

XHCI: Initializing

USB Keyboard

USB mouse

No console specified using screen & keyboard

User selected input-device console: vty

User selected output-device console: vty

Welcome to Open Firmware

This program and the accompanying materials are made available

under the terms of the BSD License available at

http://www.opensource.org/licenses/bsd-license.php

Trying to load: from: /vdevice/v-scsi@71000002/disk@8300000000000000 ... Successfully loaded

get-property for ibm,hypertas-functions on zero phandle

AIX

Star

0539

0c42

******* Please define the System Console. *******

Type a 1 and press Enter to use this terminal as the

system console.

Pour definir ce terminal comme console systeme, appuyez

sur 1 puis sur Entree.

Taste 1 und anschliessend die Eingabetaste druecken, um

diese Datenstation als Systemkonsole zu verwenden.

Premere il tasto 1 ed Invio per usare questo terminal

come console.

Escriba 1 y pulse Intro para utilizar esta terminal como

consola del sistema.

Escriviu 1 1 i premeu Intro per utilitzar aquest

terminal com a consola del sistema.

Digite um 1 e pressione Enter para utilizar este terminal

como console do sistema.

0c31

Type 1

HARDWARE SYSTEM MICROCODE

Licensed Internal Code - Property of IBM

US Government Users Restricted Rights -

Use, duplication or disclosure restricted

by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.

0c33\

0c44-

0c46-

0c48

>>> 1 Type 1 and press Enter to have English during install.

2 Entreu 2 i premeu Intro per veure la installaci en catal.

3 Entrez 3 pour effectuer l'installation en franais.

4 For Installation in deutscher Sprache 4 eingeben

und die Eingabetaste drcken.

5 Immettere 5 e premere Invio per l'installazione in Italiano.

6 Digite 6 e pressione Enter para usar Portugus na instalao.

7 Escriba 7 y pulse Intro para la instalacin en espaol.

88 Help ?

>>> Choice [1]: 1

Welcome to Base Operating System

Installation and Maintenance

Type the number of your choice and press Enter. Choice is indicated by >>>.

>>> 1 Start Install Now with Default Settings

2 Change/Show Installation Settings and Install

3 Start Maintenance Mode for System Recovery

4 Make Additional Disks Available

5 Select Storage Adapters

88 Help ?

99 Previous Menu

>>> Choice [1]: 2

Installation and Settings

Either type 0 and press Enter to install with current settings, or type the

number of the setting you want to change and press Enter.

1 System Settings:

Method of Installation.............New and Complete Overwrite

Disk Where You Want to Install.....hdisk0

2 Primary Language Environment Settings (AFTER Install):

Cultural Convention................English (United States)

Language ..........................English (United States)

Keyboard ..........................English (United States)

Keyboard Type......................Default

3 Security Model.......................Default

4 More Options (Software install options)

5 Select Edition.......................standard

>>> 0 Install with the current settings listed above.

+-----------------------------------------------------

88 Help ? | WARNING: Base Operating System Installation will

99 Previous Menu | destroy or impair recovery of ALL data on the

| destination disk hdisk0.

>>> Choice [0]: 4

Install Options

1. Graphics Software................................................ Yes

2. System Management Client Software................................ Yes

3. OpenSSH Client Software.......................................... No

4. OpenSSH Server Software.......................................... No

5. Enable System Backups to install any system...................... Yes

(Installs all devices)

>>> 6. Install More Software

0 Install with the current settings listed above.

88 Help ?

99 Previous Menu

>>> Choice [6]: 3

Install Options

1. Graphics Software................................................ Yes

2. System Management Client Software................................ Yes

3. OpenSSH Client Software.......................................... Yes

4. OpenSSH Server Software.......................................... No

5. Enable System Backups to install any system...................... Yes

(Installs all devices)

>>> 6. Install More Software

0 Install with the current settings listed above.

88 Help ?

99 Previous Menu

>>> Choice [6]: 4

Install Options

1. Graphics Software................................................ Yes

2. System Management Client Software................................ Yes

3. OpenSSH Client Software.......................................... Yes

4. OpenSSH Server Software.......................................... Yes

5. Enable System Backups to install any system...................... Yes

(Installs all devices)

>>> 6. Install More Software

0 Install with the current settings listed above.

88 Help ?

99 Previous Menu

>>> Choice [6]: 99

Installation and Settings

Either type 0 and press Enter to install with current settings, or type the

number of the setting you want to change and press Enter.

1 System Settings:

Method of Installation.............New and Complete Overwrite

Disk Where You Want to Install.....hdisk0

2 Primary Language Environment Settings (AFTER Install):

Cultural Convention................English (United States)

Language ..........................English (United States)

Keyboard ..........................English (United States)

Keyboard Type......................Default

3 Security Model.......................Default

4 More Options (Software install options)

5 Select Edition.......................standard

>>> 0 Install with the current settings listed above.

+-----------------------------------------------------

88 Help ? | WARNING: Base Operating System Installation will

99 Previous Menu | destroy or impair recovery of ALL data on the

| destination disk hdisk0.

>>> Choice [0]: 1

Change Disk(s) Where You Want to Install

Type one or more numbers for the disk(s) to be used for installation and press

Enter. To cancel a choice, type the corresponding number and Press Enter.

At least one bootable disk must be selected. The current choice is indicated

by >>>.

Name Location Code Size(MB) VG Status Bootable

>>> 1 hdisk0 none 30720 none Yes No

>>> 0 Continue with choices indicated above

55 More Disk Options

66 Disks not known to Base Operating System Installation

77 Display More Disk Information

88 Help ?

99 Previous Menu

>>> Choice [0]: 0

Installation and Settings

Either type 0 and press Enter to install with current settings, or type the

number of the setting you want to change and press Enter.

1 System Settings:

Method of Installation.............New and Complete Overwrite

Disk Where You Want to Install.....hdisk0

2 Primary Language Environment Settings (AFTER Install):

Cultural Convention................English (United States)

Language ..........................English (United States)

Keyboard ..........................English (United States)

Keyboard Type......................Default

3 Security Model.......................Default

4 More Options (Software install options)

5 Select Edition.......................standard

>>> 0 Install with the current settings listed above.

+-----------------------------------------------------

88 Help ? | WARNING: Base Operating System Installation will

99 Previous Menu | destroy or impair recovery of ALL data on the

| destination disk hdisk0.

>>> Choice [0]: 0

Overwrite Installation Summary

Disks: hdisk0

Cultural Convention: en_US

Language: en_US

Keyboard: en_US

Graphics Software: Yes

System Management Client Software: Yes

OpenSSH Client Software: Yes

OpenSSH Server Software: Yes

Enable System Backups to install any system: Yes

Selected Edition: standard

Optional Software being installed:

>>> 1 Continue with Install

+-----------------------------------------------------

88 Help ? | WARNING: Base Operating System Installation will

99 Previous Menu | destroy or impair recovery of ALL data on the

| destination disk hdisk0.

>>> Choice [1]: 1

Installing Base Operating System

Please wait...

Approximate Elapsed time

% tasks complete (in minutes)

1 0

0c46 3 1 Making logical volumes.

0c54 7 2 Restoring base operating system

0c52 13 3 Over mounting /.

0c46 16 4 Copying Cu* to disk.

18 7 Installing additional software.

Set_Bootlist: Could not set the bootlist to:

hdisk0 .

The boot device must be set in the host KVM.

Press 1 to continue: 1

96 125 Creating boot image.

Installation takes 20–60 minutes depending on CPU performance.

9. First Boot After Installation
After install completes:
Remove ISO from QEMU command

Add additional disk

# qemu-img create -f qcow2 /aix/disk/indaixtst01-hdisk2.qcow2 30G

# qemu-img create -f qcow2 /aix/disk/indaixtst01-hdisk3.qcow2 30G

Generate a Random MAC

$ printf '52:54:00:%02x:%02x:%02x\n' $((RANDOM%256)) $((RANDOM%256)) $((RANDOM%256))

Put the mac address vm start command

Boot from qcow2 disk only
Modified start command:

# /usr/bin/qemu-system-ppc64 \

-name indaixtst01 \

-cpu POWER8 \

-uuid 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440001 \

-machine pseries,cap-cfpc=broken,cap-ibs=broken,cap-ccf-assist=off,cap-sbbc=broken \

-m 4G \

-smp 2,threads=1 \

-serial telnet:127.0.0.1:9001,server,nowait \

-display none \

-device virtio-scsi-pci,id=scsi1 \

-drive file=/aix/disk/indaixtst01-hdisk1.qcow2,if=none,id=drive1,format=qcow2,cache=none,aio=threads \

-drive file=/aix/disk/indaixtst01-hdisk2.qcow2,if=none,id=drive2,format=qcow2,cache=none,aio=threads \

-drive file=/aix/disk/indaixtst01-hdisk3.qcow2,if=none,id=drive3,format=qcow2,cache=none,aio=threads \

-device scsi-hd,drive=drive1,bus=scsi1.0,scsi-id=1,bootindex=0,serial=BOOTDISK1 \

-device scsi-hd,drive=drive2,bus=scsi1.0,scsi-id=2,bootindex=1,serial=BOOTDISK2 \

-device scsi-hd,drive=drive3,bus=scsi1.0,scsi-id=3,serial=DATADISK1 \

-netdev tap,id=net1,ifname=tap1,script=no,downscript=no \

-device spapr-vlan,netdev=net1,mac=51:61:00:11:81:91 \

-prom-env "boot-command=boot disk: -o" \

-prom-env "input-device=vty" \

-prom-env "output-device=vty" \

-prom-env "term-type=vt100" \

-prom-env "use-nvramrc?=true"

Login qemu console:
# telnet 127.0.0.1:9001 or telnet localhost 9001

Set Terminal Type

The terminal is not properly initialized. Please enter a terminal type

and press Enter. Some terminal types are not supported in

non-English languages.

ibm3101 tvi912 vt330 aixterm

ibm3151 tvi920 vt340 dtterm

ibm3161 tvi925 wyse30 xterm

ibm3162 tvi950 wyse50 lft

ibm3163 vs100 wyse60 sun

ibm3164 vt100 wyse100

ibmpc vt320 wyse350

+-----------------------Messages------------------------

| If the next screen is unreadable, press Break (Ctrl-c)

88 Help ? | to return to this screen.

>>> Choice []: vt100
Accept License Agreements

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[Entry Fields]

ACCEPT Installed License Agreements yes +

Accept Software Maintenance Terms and Conditions

Type or select values in entry fields.

Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[Entry Fields]

ACCEPT Software Maintenance Agreements? yes +

Installation Assistant

Move cursor to desired item and press Enter.

Set Date and Time

Set root Password

Configure Network Communications

Install Software Applications

System Workload Partition Software Maintenance

Using SMIT (information only)

Tasks Completed - Exit to Login

AIX Version 7

Console login: root ----> No Password

*******************************************************************************

* *

* Welcome to AIX Version 7.2! *

* *

* Please see the README file in /usr/lpp/bos for information pertinent to *

* this release of the AIX Operating System. *

* *

*******************************************************************************

# password root ---> Set root password

13. Post-Installation Configuration (IBM AIX 7.2)

After completing the installation of IBM AIX 7.2 TL04 SP02, perform the following configuration steps to enable console login, correct terminal behavior, customize the shell prompt, and configure basic networking.

13.1 Enable Console Login

Enable login on the virtual terminal:

# chdev -l vty0 -a login=enable

13.2 Fix Terminal Settings (QEMU vty Console)

Set default terminal type:

# echo "TERM=vt100" >> /etc/environment

Configure root profile for proper terminal behavior:

# echo "export TERM=vt100" >> /.profile

# echo "stty erase ^H" >> /.profile

# echo "stty erase ^?" >> /.profile

Add a custom shell prompt:

# cat << 'EFO' >> ~/.profile

HOST=$(uname -n)

PS1="[$HOST] \$PWD # "

export PS1

EFO

Apply changes:

. ~/.profile

13.3 Configure Hostname

Set system hostname:

# chdev -l inet0 -a hostname=indaixtst01

Verify:

# hostname

# uname -n

13.4 Configure Network Interface

Configure IP address and bring interface up:

# chdev -l en1 -a netaddr=192.168.122.15 -a netmask=255.255.255.0 -a state=up

Verify interface status:

# ifconfig en1

13.5 Update Hosts File

Add hostname resolution entry:

# echo "192.168.122.15 indaixtst01.ppc.com indaixtst01" >> /etc/hosts

11.AIX 7.2 VM Deployment on QEMU (Auto-Start via systemd)

This document explains how to:

Convert a QCOW2 disk image
Configure an AIX VM using QEMU
Create a systemd service for automatic startup
Access the AIX server via SSH
The VM runs AIX 7.2 TL4 on QEMU using qemu-system-ppc64 with POWER8 emulation.

Convert QCOW2 Disk Image:

If needed, convert or optimize the disk image:

# qemu-img convert -p -f qcow2 -O qcow2 \

/aix/image/aix_7200-04.qcow2 \

/aix/disk/indaixtst01-hdisk1.qcow2

Option Explanation:

Option Description

convert Converts disk image format

-p Shows progress

-f qcow2 Source format

-O qcow2 Output format

/aix/image/... Source image

/aix/disk/... Destination image

Since both formats are qcow2, this rewrites/optimizes the image.

Create systemd Service for Auto Boot

To automatically start the AIX VM when Ubuntu boots, create a systemd service.

Create Service File

# vi /etc/systemd/system/aix1.service

Service Configuration:

[Unit]

Description=AIX VM 01 - indaixtst01

After=network.target

[Service]

Type=simple

User=root

# --- Networking Setup for tap1 ---

ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/bash -c "ip link show virbr0 || (virsh net-start default && sleep 2)"

ExecStartPre=-/usr/sbin/ip link delete tap1

ExecStartPre=/usr/sbin/ip tuntap add mode tap tap1

ExecStartPre=/usr/sbin/ip link set tap1 up

ExecStartPre=/usr/sbin/ip link set tap1 master virbr0

# --- Main QEMU Command ---

ExecStart=/usr/bin/qemu-system-ppc64 \

-name indaixtst01 \

-cpu POWER8 \

-uuid 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440001 \

-machine pseries,cap-cfpc=broken,cap-ibs=broken,cap-ccf-assist=off,cap-sbbc=broken \

-m 4G \

-smp 2,threads=1 \

-serial telnet:127.0.0.1:9001,server,nowait \

-display none \

-device virtio-scsi-pci,id=scsi1 \

-drive file=/aix/disk/indaixtst01-hdisk1.qcow2,if=none,id=drive1,format=qcow2,cache=none,aio=threads \

-drive file=/aix/disk/indaixtst01-hdisk2.qcow2,if=none,id=drive2,format=qcow2,cache=none,aio=threads \

-drive file=/aix/disk/indaixtst01-hdisk3.qcow2,if=none,id=drive3,format=qcow2,cache=none,aio=threads \

-device scsi-hd,drive=drive1,bus=scsi1.0,scsi-id=1,bootindex=0,serial=BOOTDISK1 \

-device scsi-hd,drive=drive2,bus=scsi1.0,scsi-id=2,bootindex=1,serial=BOOTDISK2 \

-device scsi-hd,drive=drive3,bus=scsi1.0,scsi-id=3,serial=DATADISK1 \

-netdev tap,id=net1,ifname=tap1,script=no,downscript=no \

-device spapr-vlan,netdev=net1,mac=51:61:00:11:81:91 \

-prom-env "boot-command=boot disk: -o" \

-prom-env "input-device=vty" \

-prom-env "output-device=vty" \

-prom-env "term-type=vt100" \

-prom-env "use-nvramrc?=true"

# --- Post-start Fix for AIX Checksum issues ---

ExecStartPost=/usr/sbin/ethtool -K tap1 tx off

# --- Cleanup and Restart ---

ExecStop=/usr/bin/kill -INT $MAINPID

ExecStopPost=-/usr/sbin/ip link delete tap1

Restart=on-failure

RestartSec=10

[Install]

WantedBy=multi-user.target

Reload and Enable Service

# sudo systemctl daemon-reload

# sudo systemctl enable --now aix1.service

This will:

Enable service at boot
Start the VM immediately
Automatically restart on failure

VM Boot Process

After the Ubuntu server boots:

The aix1.service starts automatically

Network bridge virbr0 is validated

TAP interface tap1 is created

AIX VM starts

TX checksum offloading is disabled (fixes AIX networking issue)

Boot time: ~5 minutes

Access AIX via SSH

Once the VM is fully booted:

# ssh root@192.168.122.15

12. Performance Notes

QEMU PPC64 uses TCG (Tiny Code Generator)
No KVM acceleration for POWER on x86
Expect slower performance vs native POWER hardware
For production-level AIX performance, consider:
IBM Power Systems hardware
PowerVM
IBM PowerVS (cloud)

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Install QEMU PPC64 on Ubuntu 24.04.4 & Deploy IBM AIX 7.2 TL04 SP02

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