Netbackup Device Monitor console hangs and fails with error 70.

Netbackup Device Monitor console hangs and fails with error 70.

Issue

NetBackup Administration Console -> Media and Device Management ->Device Monitor/Devices console hangs and then fails with error 70 “Cannot connect on vmd”

               

STEPS PERFORMED

-          Make sure all the media servers and storage unit in the console are active.

-          Restart the netbackup services on Media servers

-          Restart the PBX services on Media servers

/opt/VRTSpbx/bin/ vxpbx_exchanged stop/start  (This should resolve the issue)

If the issue still persists ,follow the below steps

-          From the master server ,run the below commands

telnet MEDIA-SERVER-NAME 1556

install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd> bptestbpcd -client MEDIA-SERVER-NAME
telnet MASTER-SERVER-NAME 1556­­­­

If the media server is a new, make sure that name resolution works master and medie servers without problems and the media server's name is inside Host Properties -> Master server -> Servers -> Additional servers' list. If not, add the media server on the list and stop and start the NetBackup services in master server

-          From the Media servers run the below commands

               install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd>nbemmcmd -listhosts –verbose

              install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd> bptestbpcd -client MASTER-SERVER-NAME
              
              telnet MASTER-SERVER-NAME 1556

-          After solving the communication issues between master and media, stop and start all NetBackup services in the master and media servers.

Solution

 Make sure that Master and media server can communicate between them through VNETD (13724)and PBX (1556) ports.

             

AIX FAQs- part7

Q.29. What is SPOT?  Or  Explain SPOT ? Is it part of NIM ?
Ans. The SPOT contains the directory structure for an installed /usr file system. It also contains subdirectories for the "root" parts of installed filesets. Since the SPOT contains both usr and root files, software maintenance must be performed on the SPOT in order to update the software that is running on the clients. Such actions must be performed using the NIM cust and maint operations.
Spot is used by the client during NIM install or boot.  The following operations are performed to manage the software for diskless and dataless clients:
1. The /usr files are installed in the SPOT. These files are automatically seen by all the clients that mount the SPOT as their    /usr file systems.
2. The root files are installed in special subdirectories in the SPOT.
3. After all the filesets have been installed in the SPOT, the root files are copied to the directories of any diskless or  dataless clients that have been initialized with the SPOT
AIX Interview Questions
Base Kernel
Question:  The system is performing very slowly; you have discovered that this is due to an increasing number of defunct processes are being created.  How can you determine the cause?
Answer:
1. Check to see if new defunct processes are being created, owned by the init process, with no processes being deleted at all.
2. If some defunct processes are being cleared out and the overall number of defunct processes is still growing, then this is due to an application creating more defunct processes than the init process can clean out.
3. However, if NO defunct processes owned by init (PID 1) are being cleared out, this points to an incorrect wait entry in the /etc/inittab file.  The init process is stuck on this wait entry and will not cycle through the defunct processes until that entry finishes.  The solution is to change that “wait” entry to a “once” entry.
Question:  You get a message that the system can’t fork any additional processes?  What do suspect to be the problem?
Answer:  Either paging space is full or maxuproc (maximum number of user processes) is set too low.
Question:  You’re running some commands and getting an error that says “srcmstr daemon is not running”.  Obviously, it is, because the machine appears to be functional.  What is the likely cause?
Answer:  Someone has updated some of the base kernel filesets without rebooting the machine.
Question:  Describe one situation where it might be appropriate to edit the ODM.
Answer:  E.g., need to make parameter changes to a device that is open, and that cannot be modified without closing the device (i.e., a network device), and where the machine can be easily rebooted following the change.
Question:  When might the savebase command be used?
Answer:  After making manual changes to the CuAt, CuDv, CuDvDr, CuDep, or CuVPD ODM classes (aka the device configuration database), these classes must be saved into the boot image in the boot logical volume.  If they are not saved, there is a risk run that the changes won’t be saved at boot.  Note that the chdev command (and others) will cause savebase to be run.
Question:  How do you properly mirror rootvg to protect the OS from crashing should a disk fail?
Answer:
1. Use the mirrorvg command to mirror the logical volumes
2. Run the bosboot command to reboot the boot image and update the disk boot record on both disks that contain a copy of the boot logical volume.
3. Run the bootlist command to add both disks to the boot list.
4. Mirror all non-rootvg paging spaces as well as those in rootvg.
Dump device?
Paging space?
Question:  Why is it important to mirror non-rootvg paging spaces, and what might be the effect if this is not done?
Answer:  The OS allocates pages in a round-robin fashion across all paging devices.  If a non-rootvg disk containing a paging space fails, the system will likely crash unless it is mirrored.  Putting paging spaces on RAID disks is not recommended due to the performance implications.
Question:  Provide the steps to move a file system from one volume group to another WITHOUT recreating and restoring it.
Answer:
1. Unmount the file system
2. Use the cplv command to copy the logical volume to the new volume group.
3. Use the chfs command to update the dev and log entries for the file system.
4. Run fsck.
Question:  Why is directly editing /etc/filesystems, to change information for a file system, a bad idea?
Answer:  The entries from /etc/filesystems are usually stored in the logical volume control block for each logical volume.  If you ever had to run importvg for this volume group (i.e., after a reinstall or if using HACMP), the changes would be lost.
Question:  The “df” command shows that the file system is 100% full, but “du” shows no files in the file system.  Why, and how do you debug this?
Answer:  A running process is holding open a file descriptor that references a large amount of space either not saved as a file or references a file that has been deleted.  Use “lsof” or “fuser” to track down this process.
Question:  What steps should you follow to replace a failed hdisk?
Answer:
1. Remove all allocated logical volumes (if not mirrored) or LV copies (if mirrored).
2. Remove disk from the volume group.
3. Remove disk definition (and pdisk, if it’s an SSA drive mapped 1-to-1)
4. Physically replace disk
5. Run cfgmgr.
6. Add disk to volume group and recreate LVs or LV copies.
Network
Question:  Where is the default gateway stored in AIX?  Where are other routes stored?
Answer:  As ODM entries in the CuAt ODM class.
Performance
Question:  A project manager claims that a system is CPU-bound.  What commands do you run to verify this, and what sort of output are you looking for?
Answer:
1. Run vmstat and look at the wait, idle, CPU utilization, runq and blockq parameters.
2. A CPU-bound system will exhibit relatively low wait and idle percentages and a high degree of CPU usage.
3. In addition, the runq parameter will average the number of CPUs on the system and the blockq parameter will be, on the average, high.
Question:  You have a 32-way Regatta.  Why is vmstat not an accurate tool to measure CPU utilization for each processor? Or what is the difference between SAR and vmstat?
Answer:  vmstat takes a system average.  The SAR command can show the CPU utilization for a particular processor.
Installation Issues
Question:  Define under what circumstances two different versions of a product can coexist on the same machine in AIX.
Answer:
1. The names of the filesets for that product are different when stored in the ODM.
2. The product does not store names in the ODM.
Question:  What considerations do you need to make when cloning system X to system Y?
Answer:  Make sure that all the drivers needed for system Y and its associated hardware are included in the image for system X.
lslpp -w <filename>” to see what fileset provides that command.
lslpp -f <filesetname>” to see what files are installed by that fileset.
AIX Patches and Maintenance
Question:  Discuss your strategy for applying and committing maintenance
Answer:
• A prudent administrator will generally apply fixes first if those fixes have never been used before in the environment.
• After an evaluation period, the fixes can be committed.
• Subsequent installations of those fixes on other machines can then be committed.
• If these fixes are related to the base OS, a mksysb should be created first.
Question:  Describe the difference between a PTF, and APAR, and a maintenance level.
Answer:  An APAR is a specific patch that may update one or more filesets.  A PTF is an IBM term for a collection of APARs commonly shipped together as a common fileset update.  A maintenance level is a collection of APARs (also generally ordered as an APAR).
Question:  What is the difference between applying and committing an APAR?
Answer:  Applying it saves the old versions of the files so that you can back off the new version.  Committing the APAR removes the old versions.
Question:  List some common sites to download freeware tools for AIX?
Answer: aixpdslib.seas.ucla.edu
purdue.edu
www.bullfreeware.com
IBM repository of Linux freeware for AIX


List filesets that are below the AIX 4.3.2.0 maintenance level
 oslevel -l 4.3.2.0
Which_fileset to identify which fileset needs to be installed
List known AIX maintnenance levels
 oslevel -q
3. How to replace physical volume in hacmp? (From sharedvg while online)
First take the backup of that disk and inform to all client, which are login by server.
Use smitty hacmp -> C-SPOC -> HACMP physical volume management -> Add a source disk -> add a destination disk.
4. How will you replace falling disk mirrored rootvg?
• unmirrorvg rootvg diskname
• chpv –c faileddiskname
• reducevg rootvg diskname
• rmdev –dl diskname
• Add new disk and configure using cfgmgr
• extendvg rootvg diskname
• mirrorvg rootvg diskname
• syncvg –v rootvg
• bosboot –ad /dev/diskname
• Set bootlist
5. Difference between AIX5.1 5.2 and 5.3
AIX 5.1
• Jfs2 file system is introduced
• Support both uni and multiprocessor.
AIX 5.2
• DLPAR
• System scalablity
• Jfs2 file system upto 16TB
• DuoD-Dyanamic capacity upgrade on demand
AIX5.3
• Scalable vg introduced
• Support only multiprocessor kernel
• Variable Logical Track Group size
• Shrink file system support
• Dump procedure is enhanced to use nvram to store minimal dump info.
6. What is the stanza of lsvg –l rootvg?
Lvname, type, lp, pp, pv, lvstate, mount point
7. What is the procedure to configure LPAR?
Typically all partition creation and management is performed through the H/W(HMC). The CLI is an advanced option and still requires and HMC.
TASK No Description Comment.
Start the partition wizard
Partion name ID and type
Workload management participation
Partition profile name
Partition profile memory values
Partition profile processor value
Partition profile interactive value (if available)
Allocation of physical I/O resources
Allocation of virtual I/O resources.
8. What is the stanza of /etc/security/login.cfg?
It contained parameter related login info like max time login, login delay, logindiabled etc.
9.
10. What is  /etc/security/limit?
 It contained resource limit a user can use. Resources like no of CPU, amount of RAM, size of file etc.
11. What are the major problems you are attended I your setup?
Generally I faced file system full, performace problem, booting problem, and network problem, disk failure, Ethernet adapter failure, memory problem, and loose connection of cables.
12. If the user login, the system is very slow, what steps you will follow?
Entry is available in /etc/noloign for that user, root should remove this entry then only user can login.
13. What is the snap and its. Output directory?
Snap is used to format dump o/p and send to IBM. /tmp/ibmsupt/genral
14. In production environment what is the procedure to down the application?
Inform team leader and IT head and take permission. Inform all users to logout, who is login.
We used in commercial tax
First shutdown report server by stopping service
Second shutdown application server by stopping service.
Then shutdown oracle database server then if necessary power of all machine.
15. umask value for security references?
027

16. How to change the PP size, which already exists VG? Is it possible? Tell the procedure?
Change pp size by opening vi /image.data
Create mksysb using I option
Then restore mksysb
17. If user complaint that the system is very slow, what step you will follow?
Check where the system resources is overloaded by performance tool.
Kill that process, which are using more resources with the consultation with team leader & IT head. And inform all the users who is login?
What are the function VIO servers?
 Ans: - VIO is special purpose partition that provides Virtual I/O resources to lpar (client) partitions. The VIO server owns the real resources that are shared with other clients. With VIO technology, you can assign a physical adapter to a partition to be shared by one or more lpar, enabling clients the minimize their number of physical adapter, you can use VIO server to reduce costs by eliminating the requirement that each lpar has a dedicate network adapter, disk drive.
To ensure stable performance, it is preferable to use the VIO server in a partition with dedicated resources.
NIM setup
1. NIM Initialization:
nimconfig –a pif_name=en0 –a cable_type=tp –a netname=dcm –a platform=rspc
2. LPP source:
a. Nim –o define –t lpp_source –a location=/nim/lppsource –a source=/dev/cd0 –a server=master spot_aix51 ( for creating object spot)

SPOT:
nim –o define –t spot –a location=/nim/spot –a source=/dev/cd0 –a server=master lpp_sourceaix5 ( for creating object lpp_source)
Machine Definition:
Use nimdef command – for that first creates a defination file
Nimdef –p –f cws.def     (for preview of machine definition)
Nimdef –d –f cws.def     (for adding of machine definition)
niminit   (to initialize client)
nimclient (to manage nim operation)
format of machine file
cws:
machine_type = standalone
Subnet_mask = 255.255.255.0
Gateway = 0
Platform = rspc
network_type = ent
cable_type = tp
comment = “ this is cws machine”
                                               RAJEEV SHARMA
Q1-What are all file systems type in AIX?
A.jfs ,jfs2 ,nfs ,cdrfs
Q2- what is the output of Who command?
A. username  pts date  ip etc
Q3.How to check how many systems are running in the network?
A.who
Q4.How to check on what operating systems you are working?
A.uname
Q5.How to check the model of hardware box?
A. prtconf
Q6How to check AIX version?
A. oslevel
Q7.What is the significance of  5.1.0.0 ?
A. version,release,modification,fix
Q8.How to see the maintenance level ?
A. oslevel -r
Q9.what is lpp ?
A. licensed program product
Q10.How to install software on AIX?
A. smit install
Q11.What all you can do thru SMIT ?
A. lot of activities like making volume group,logical volume,creating filesystems ,installing softwares
Q12.How to check paging space ?
A. lsps -a
Q13.How to create a file system?
A.refer CSC quest
Q14.How u will connect raw hard disk ?
A.1)connect it physically to the system,2)run cfgmgr 3)add it to volume group
Q15.After running cfgmgr,how to check, which HDD is added?
A. using lspv command
Q16What is the output of lspv ?
A. hdisk  pvid  vg name
Q17.while adding a new HDD to AIX it shows that it is a part of another VG,how to fix this problem?
A.1)clear pvid (using chdev -l hdiskn -a pv=clear) of the hard disk 2)now use chdev -l hdiskn -a pv=yes
Q18.how to create   LV ?
A. mklv -y testlv -t jfs rootvg 20 hdisk0
Q19.How to create LV command line?
A.mklv -y testlv -t jfs rootvg 20 hdisk0
Q.20how to find PP size?
A.lsvg vgname (the o/p of this command gives detail of vg including ppsize)
Q21.What is Stale PP?
A.unsynchronised pps are stale pps
Q26.how to check routing table?
A netstat -r
Q27. what is the output of mount command?
A.it shows mounted file systems only
Q28.what is there in etc/filesystem ?
A.it contains  filesystems stanzas (details like filesystem type, log location, mountpoint details,permissions etc)
30.How to edit crontab ?
A.crontab -e
Q31. What is at ?
A. used to schedule a job once only
Q32.how u will check whether AT executed ?
A.ps -ef
Q33.how to install fix?
A.instfix -k fixname -d /dev/rmt0
Q34. how to change the file system size ?
A.refer CSC quest
Q35.How to take rootvg VG Backup ?
A.mksysb
Q36. what is savevg ?
A command to take backup of vgs other than rootvg
Q37.how to see the location of RG in HACMP ?
A. ./clstat
Q38.what is log file in HACMP?
A. /tmp/hacmp.out
Q39 how to check HACMP is running ?
A. lssrc -g cluster
Q40What is inittab ? what is there in first two line of  innittab?
A.file used for intialization of system. First two lines contain init process and run level
Q41.What is init 0?
A.used to shutdown system
Q43.how u will check running processes ?
A.ps -eaf
Q44. what is the output of  ps -ef ?
A.pid ,ppid,time etc.
Q45. How to monitor system performance. What is sar ?
A. using sar,vmstat,iostat . Sar is used for seeing CPU performance.
                                                Arvind Kumar
Q1.How to check Usage on a particular file system ?
A.fuser -u /etc/filesystems
Q2.How to check the model of hardware box?
A.lscfg -vp
Q3.what is the output of who command ?
A username pts time ip
Q4.what is PV  ?
A.physical volume
Q5.How to check PVs in a volume group ?
A lsvg -p vgname
Q6.what are PP ?
A physical partition
Q7. What is the Min. & maximum size of PP?
A min 1mb and max 1024mb
Q8How  to create a file system?
A refer CSC quest
Q9.How to add a new HDD ?
A extendvg vgname pvname
Q10.How to change password of user ?
A passwd username
Q11. what is the  location of password file ?
A /etc/security/passwd
Q12.which file is updated after changing user password?
A. /etc/security/passwd
                                           

AIX FAQs -part6

Networking
Q.43. How do I control how hostnames are resolved?
Ans.The default order can be overwritten by creating the configuration file, /etc/netsvc.conf and specifying the desired order. Both the default and /etc/netsvc.conf can be overwritten with the environment variable, NSORDER. 12.What to disable telnet in AIX?
BIND, NIS, /etc/hosts
# export NSORDER=bind,nis,local
Q.32. How do I setup anonymous ftp on my AIX system?
Ans./usr/lpp/tcpip/samples/anon.ftp  It is a shell script and will set up a anonymous ftp site on your local RS/6000
Q.26. "no" command options especially 'thewall' parameter.
Ans. Network option  Configures network attributes.
no { -a | -d Attribute | -o Attribute [ =NewValue ] }
Q13.What are the NFS Daemons?
Ans-Server End-nfsd, rpc.mountd, portmap, rpc.stated, rpc.mountd
      Client  End-bind,rpc.statd,rpc.lockd,portmap
Q18 What will you do if remote server is not connecting through ssh or telnet?
Ans-For that we will login the server through HMC WSM and check the sshd or telnet daemon.
20. Which is the main file where you specify host lookup order?
Q.15. What is Autofs ?
Ans. a) Used for automatic and transparent mounting and unmounting of NFS File systems.
b) Based on AutoFS facility.
c) Uses automounter map files to find the mount directories and mount arguments. Map can be text files or NIS maps.
d) automount command
e) automountd daemon
f) Client-side server
Benefits:
a) Reduces system administration of /etc/filesystems file particularly if NIS maps are used
b) No pre-mounting of directories not currently needed thus reducing possibility of client hang due to down server
c) Distributes client workload for NFS read-only file systems
Provides method for single-system image for clients
What is the difference between direct & indirect autofs?
Direct:
The automounts configured in an indirect map are all mounted under the same local parent directory.
Inderiect:
The automounts configured in a direct map may be mounted in various places in the local file system; they do not have to be located under the same parent directory.
Q.15. What are different between hard and soft mount ?
Ans  : Hard mount ill expect (wait) untill server responds, if it is offline in this case system ill hang.
Soft mount ill expect within that period , if it is offline process ill be in background, next service ill start.
Q.15. What are the daemons for NIS ?
Ans. ypbind, ypserv, yppasswd, portmap
HACMP
Q24.How to Configure HACMP setup?
Ans-1-First Install Aix5.1 on all nodes
      2-Install the required ML (ML 09)
      3-Install the HACMP file sets on all nodes. (cluster.es, cluster.es.cspoc ,cluster.license)
      4-Assign the IP,s & Alias on all node
      5-Configure /etc/hosts on all nodes it must be same for each  node.
      Now use # smitty hacmp  and  configure step by step as below-
I-Add a cluster---It will ask for a cluster Name
II-Add a node----add each node name
III-Run the Discovery process(After run this option it will create some files as #/usr/es/sbin/cluster/etc/rhosts----Contains the base IP,s of node
#/usr/es/sbin/cluster/etc/config/clip_config—Contains the IP details of all nodes.
/clvg_config—Contains the,PV,VG,Major numbers Details of all                    the nodes covered within the cluster.
                /haver.info—Contains the information about the HACMP version.
IV-Add a Network
V-Add a communication Interfaces & Devices
VI-Add a persistent IP Label/Address
VII-Add a resource Group
VIII-Add a resource
IX-Put The Resource in Resource Group
X-Run the Verification and Synchronization—It will synchronize the changes with other nodes within the cluster.
XI-Start the Clusters Service---#startsrc –g cluster--It will start all cluster Daemons.
Q25.What is persistent IP?
Ans-This is a alias of standby interface used for Administrative purposes.
How to see version of HACMP
/usr/es/sbin/cluster/etc/config/haver.info
lslpp –l  hacmp
How will you know which nodes are involved in clustering ?
clverify
Q26.If service IP Move to fallover node ,will persistent do same?
Ans-No this is node bound IP  so it can not move to other node.
Q27.What are the HACMP Daemons?
Ans-clstmgr,clinfo,clcomd,cllockd,clmuxpd
Q29.How to see the Status of RG  in HACMP?
#/usr/es/sbin/cluster/utilities/clRGinfo
Q30.What are the types to shutdown the RG?
Ans-There are three ways to shutdown the RG-
1-Gracefull shutdown without takeover--The Application will stop and RG will release but it will not aquired by any node.
2-Gracefull shutdown with takeover--The Application will stop and RG will Release and will takeover by fallover node.
3-Focefully shutdown--The application will shutdown but RG will not be release,commands are--
#/usr/es/sbin/cluster/utilities/clstop -g
#/usr/es/sbin/cluster/utilities/clstop -gr
#/usr/es/sbin/cluster/utilities/clstop -f
Q31.What are the log files in HACMP?
Ans-/tmp/hacmp.out , /tmp/cm.log , /usr/es/adm/cluster.log, /var/hacmp/clverify/clverify.log , /tmp/cspoc.log
1. What topologies are you using in HACMP?
   
If clstst is currupt how will u check the cluster status.
cldump
When sharedvg is extended is it required to synchronize the cluster?
Yes
2. what is concurrent VG ?
Concurrent access feature enhance the benefits provided by an HACMP cluster.Concurrent access allows simultaneous access to a volume group on a disk subsystem attached
What are method for HACMP heart beat ?
Non-ip network, ip network, disk heartbeating
How to check priority list in HACMP ?
/usr/es/sbin/cluster/utilities/cIRGinfo
How to check HACMP heart beat information ?
Node1-> cat < /dev/tty1 Node1-> cat /etc/hosts > /dev/tty1
Lssrc –ls topsvcss
How to increase FS in sharedvg add disk in sharedvg ?
Through C-SPOC
What is sharedvg ?
Vg configured to serve more than one node in the HACMP enviroment. Shared VG is physically connected to multiple nodes.
How to stop cluster services in one node ?
/usr/es/sbin/cluster/utilities/clstop –gr node
What is HACMP ?
HACMP is a s/w provides that ensure the availability of these application, the application are put under HACMP control. HACMP takes measures to ensure that the application remain available.
3. What is cascading, concurrent and rotating RG?
4. How will you configure application on HACMP?
1. Application must be install on every node
2. Check in statnd-alone mode application is working properly on every node
3. Make start.script and stop.script
4. Configure the application server
5. Put this application server as a resource in RG
What is disk heartbeat? How will you configure it?
Disk heartbeat is another form of non-ip heartbeat that utilizes the existing shared disk of any disk type. As it eliminates the need for serial cable / 8-port asynchronous adapter. It also can easily greater distance between nodes when using SAN environment.
This feature requires using enhanced concurrent volume group to allow access to the disk by each node as needed. It utilizes a special reserved area on the disk to read and write the heartbeat data. Since it is used reserved data, it allow the use of existing data volume group without losing additional storage space.
11.How to configure heart beat in non-ip environment?
We have initialized tty terminal using #smit tty
Select /dev/tt0 ot /dev/tty1 (for rs232)
# smitty hacmp
extended configuration
extended topology
add a network
rs_232 network type rs_232_01
network rs_232
add a communication interface/devices
communication device
rs_232_01 node1
/dev/tty1
rs_232_01 node2
/dev/tty1
13.Suppose synchronization is not occurring in HACMP after making changes    and discovery process, what may be the reasons and how will you    troubleshoot?
How to configure RAID in SSA
Used smitty raid
14.What are the ways to configure HACMP?
IPAT with replacement
IPAT with aliasing
2. What is /tmp/hacmp.out?
A. contain formatted messages generated by HACMP for AIX script.
B. In verbose mode, this log file contains a line-by-line record of each command executed in the scripts, including
2. What are the type of RG
1. cascading 2. Rotating 3. Concurrent
What are the consideration before you install HACMP?
IPAT planning
Resource group planning
H/W support
Application compatibility
What problem u faced while configuring HACMP and solution?
In discovery
what is C-SPOC
 Cluster single point of control, which can be used to administrate entire cluster.
How will you configure shared vg,
A.  give the detailed procedure in a two node cluster
node1:
#lspv
#cfgmgr -l ssar
#lsdev -Cc disk
node 2:
#lspv
#cfgmgr -l ssar
#lsdev -Cc disk
find common pvid
Find free major number in both nodes
#lvlstmajor
create vg using common major number
#smitty mkvg
myvg
--->automatically vg should be varied on  - No
--->Quorum - No
#smitty mklv
loglv
type jfslog
#logform /dev/loglv
#smitty mklv
datalv
type jfs
#smitty crfs
mount point /data device /dev/datalv
#mount /data
umount /data
varyoffvg myvg
node 2:
import the myvg from node1 using importvg command
4.What is service ip , bootip and standby ip
A. service ip address: ip address used by client user
    bootip address : ip address configured on base interface
    standby ip address : ip address configured on standby interface
5.Startup, Fallover and Fall back policies. (What are the policies in hacmp?)
A. Startup policy:
1. Online on home node only
2. Online on first available node only
3. Online on all available node
4. Online using distribution policy
Fall over policy:
1. Fall over to next priority node in the list
2. Fall over using dynamic node priority
Fall back policy:
1. Fall back to higher priority node in the list
2. Never fall back
LPAR
Q19.What is HMC and what is the difference between LPAR & DLPAR?
Ans-This is (Hardware management console) a Linux based preloaded machine used to configure & Maintain LPAR & DLPAR.
LPAR is Logical-partitioning means we can create the multiple partition of a server box and can separately run different OS on that. But in DLPAR (Dynamic LPAR) we can move the resources (CPU, Memory, I/O Ports) from one partition to another with the help of HMC.
Q20 What is Dedicate & Shared CPU?
Ands-Dedicated CPU means we will assign the full CPU to a single partition but in shared mode we can assign a single CPU to Multiple partitions.
Q21.What is Micro partitioning?
In-In Micro partitioning we can Assign a single CPU to Multiple partition. First assign 0.1 then it can be extend by .01
What is the cpu allocation level in micro partitioning?
0.1
Q22.What is Caped & encaped?
Ans-This is used in micro partitioning when a CPU value assign to a partition and it is using some percentage of assign value and rest is free
Then it will call caped and if this free value is get move to other partition then it will call encaped.
Q23.What is entitle capacity?
Ans-This is Assign value to a partition.
How to moved the resources dynamically within the profile.
Through HMC we have to delocate the resources from one profile and attach the resources in other profile.
How to create LPAR on 2 processor and 32 GB RAM?
Log into HMC as hsroot with the password and go to server management in navigation and right click mouse to create partition on 2 processor and 32 GB RAM and then activate partition.
How to create HMC user on HMC in command line.
#mkhmcusr to create and chhmcusr to manage user.
How to update microcode in HMC?
Login into HMC as hsroot and go to management environment in navigation area then go s/w maintenance option then microcode update.
NIM
103. What NIM & Purpose
NIM is Network installation management - where client system softwares can be installed from the NIM master.
104. How to list nim objects.
# lsnim
105. Is it possible to install the  mksysb to alternate disk by nim.
Yes ..its possible
What is minimum requirements for NIM
SPOT(boot image), lpp_source(fileset)
Location of lpp resources file
/export/spot1 and /export/lpp_sources/lpp_source1
How to configure NIM Client
In client machine go o SMS menu /Utilities / RIPL / Assign IP address of NIM master.
Goto sms menu and specify the client and master ip address and make Ethernet the firs boot device.

AIX FAQs- part 5

VERY IMPORTANT 
Q1. What are your daily activities?
Ans. My daily activities include the following tasks:
1. To backup mksysb.
2. To work on LVM e.g. File system management.
3. To apply patches using instfix and emgr commands.
4. To manage daemons (Whether the daemons are working or not. If not working then to restart those daemons.). I get to know about these through Incident Management tickets.
5. Performance Monitoring using common AIX tools like sar, vmstat and iostat and ps.
6. Looking at errors using errpt command.
7. Creating LPARs, though its not very occasional activity.
8. Dynamic resource management among LPARs using DLPAR.
9. Client installation using NIM.
2. How AIX is different from other Unix Operating systems ..?
   Ans :     a..)   LV M Concepts ( Policies …where you can optimize the performance )
b) ODM
c) Dynamic Kernel
d) Auto Configuration of devices (cfgmgr)
e) Dynamic increasing of  file system
f) JFS & JFS Log..Prevents the file system corruption.
g) Booting from alternate Disk
h) Rootvg Cloning
3. How to install oracle on linux? What are the prerequisites to install oracle ?
Ans : Need to set kernel parameters, install necessary fixes, create required users and groups, set path and profile, exact installation procedure comes documented with oracle installation media.
4. How to u find the system is I/O bound
Ans : If the iowait value is more in the iostat output system can say I/O bound provided the disk balance are good.
5. How u find system is memory bond?
Ans :   Buy observing the pi&po field in vmstat o/p.
6. How to see user resource limit
Ans : ulimit –a
7. Boot Process of AIX?
Ans : Post
Locate the blv using bootlist
Load the blv and pass control
Configure the device through cfgmgr
Start init and process /etc/inittab
8. How to recreate BLV?
Ans :Got on SMS mode – access rootvg with mounting then #bosbot –ad /dev/hdisk0 #shutdown –Fr
9.How to change the maintenance mode?
Ans : Init m
10.How to reset lost password of root?
Ans : Got ot SMS mode – access rootvg with mounting then #passwd then #shutdown –Fr
Device
What is the stage of cfgmgr?
Ans : Check predefined database.
Load device driver from odm and made entry on /dev directory
Put the entry in customized devices database.
Q.10 Write the command for changing maximum number of user process from 40 to 80?
Ans. # chdev  -l sys0 -a maxuproc=80
Q.11 How do you configure a defined device?
Ans. # mkdev -l devname
Q.12 Write down the command for disabling tty0?
Ans. # chdev –l ‘tty0’ –a login=’disable’
5. How to make available disk to PV.
Ans:  #chdev -l hdisk1 - a pv=yes
16. How to use chdev ..command … to change the block size of tape
Ans :  chdev -l rmt0 block_size=1024
17. How to see the default attributes of tape or system
Ans  : 1.) lsattr -E -l rmt0 -D
     2.) lsattr -E -l sys0 -D
18. How to remove & delete the device(tape) information from database.
Ans : 1.)rmdev -l rmt0  -d
19. How to make defined device(tape) to available  .
Ans : 1.)mkdev -l rmt0
20. How to see the real memory  of the system ?
Ans : 1.)lsdev -Cc memory or
2.) lsattr -E -l mem0
21.how to check lun information of SAN enviroment in AIX
Ans : using lsdev
22. How to see the firmware
Ans : lsattr –el sys –a fwver
Filesystem
3. Lists out the Advantage of Having LVM .
1. Optimizing the LV for maximum performance
2. Increasing the filesystem size dynamically
3. Mirroring of LVs
4. Striping of logical volumes
4. What is the limitation of LVM ?
1. Maximum VGs per system is 255
2. Maximum PVs per VG is 32
3. Maximum LVs per VG is 256
4. Maximum PPs per PV is 1016 ( AIX 4.3 supports multiple numbers )
5. Striped logical volume can not be mirrored
6. Moving data acrross VG is not possible
7. Reducing the size of LV is not possible.
What is superblock
The first block on any file system that contain metadata of its like no of inode and free inode etc.
6. How to restricts the VG spaning on numbers of PVs? Is there any smit is available?
With mkvg command you have to use -d flag to limit the VG spanning across more disks
There is not smit available.
7. How to restricts I/O operation on particular PV?
# chpv  -v   r  pvname
8. What is the Command used to migrate the PV & LV? Is it possible to migrate the PV between VGs if not possible, how to copy the LVs from one VG PV to other VG PVs.
    1.) #migratepv
    2.) It’s not possible
  3.) calve
9.How will you create filesystem?
A. crfs -v fstype -g volgroup -m mountpt -p permission -a size
10.How will you convert normal vg to big vg.
A. chvg -B vgname
8.What is the use of synvg and synclvodm
A. syncvg:to update mirrored lv copy in a vg
    synlvodm:Synchronizes or rebuilds the logical volume control block,
    the device configuration database, and the volume group descriptor areas
    on the physical volumes.
4.How many lvs will be created at the time of AIX installation?
A./dev/hd1 - /home, /dev/hd2-  /usr, /dev/hd3-/tmp, /dev/hd4-/, /dev/hd5 - /boot,/dev/hd6 - paging, /dev/hd8 - /jfslog, /dev/hd9- /var,/dev/hd10 -/opt
5.What is use of /dev/hd7?
A. Not used
6-What is the difference between jfs & jfs2 ?
A. There are following difference-------
              jfs jfs2
1-Inode size                           128 Byte 512Byte
2-Max file size                        64GB                                     4PB
3-Max filesystem size             1TB                                       4PB
4-Cmpresion                           yes                                         no
5-jfslog-type                          General jfslog inline-jfslog
Minimum file system size not specify 16MB
Inode allocation                          static             dynamic
7-What is inode?
A. This is indexnode containing the information about the file like filename, filesize, fileowner, filegroup, access date& time, Modification date & time etc.
8-How many pvs possible in Big VG & Scalable VG?
A. This is 128 & 1024
9-How will you define the VG?
A. # mkvg -s pp_size -t t-factor  -y vg_name hsidkx
10.How will you change the normal VG to Big VG?
 A. #chvg -B vg_name
11-What is t-factor?
A. This is the factor used for define the no.of  PP,s in a PV within the VG,if we are putting the value of t-factor 2 it will extend the max no of pp,s per PV and reduced the max no of PV,s within the VG
13- How many max LV possible in a scalable VG?
A. These are 4096 per VG
Q33.What is the use of lvlstmajor command?
Ans- To knows the free Major Number.
Q34.How to increase the filesystem size, can we reduce the fs size?
Ans- #chfs -a size=+value /fsname, fs size can be reduce in Aix5.3 not in Aix 5.1
How will you move pp to particular disk?
Migratelp Lvname/lp no [/ copy no] Destpv[/ppartno
To move the first logical partitions of logical volumelv00 to hdisk
Migrate lv00/1 hdisk1
Q35.How to create LV?
Ans-#mklv -t lvtype -y lvname vgname no.of Lps pvname
t- for type it may be jfs,pagingspace,journallog,boot type.
Q36. How to replace the mirror disk from rootvg?
Ans-#unmirrorvg rootvg pvname
      #sysdumpdev -p /dev/sysdumpnull
      #reducevg rootvg  pvname
      #rmdev -l hdiskx -d
      if mirror disk is bootable put #chpv -c hdiskx
      Now remove faulty disk and put new one then run #cfgmgr
      #extendvg rootvg hdisky
      #mirrorvg -S rootvg hdisky
      #bosboot -ad /dev/hdisky
      #bootlist -m normal hdisky
       
Q37. What is Quorum?
Ans-This is the voting of VGDA,used to recover the data after a disk crash! ,if VGDA area is >51% ,then only the quorum will come in picture. Quorm is provide datat intrigrity, data redundancy from in mirrorvg.
17. If I have 4 CPUs and 2GB RAM and 2 Hard Disks, can I create 8 Partions?
19. How to migrate filesystem from one hard disk to another hard disk?
22. How to Configure SAN disk in Aix? How will you distinguish between normal disk and SAN disk?
3. How would you increase(Manage) the Filesystem size?
Ans. This depends upon the name of the filesystem. If its /usr then normally we have to increase the filesystem, because we don't have chances of compressing the files. In case of other filesystems like /var, we compress the old log files. Some times we inspect the data which is not required, we delete that after taking the backups and consulting the appropriate persons.
In case we have to increase the Filesystem size then we follow the procedure as:
To check the no. of free PPs in filesystems using "lsvg -p" command and the size of the PP in CG. Then we increase the filesystem size by:
chfs -a size=+NewSize(M\G\or 512 Bytes multiple) Name_of_FS
If the no. of free PPs is insufficient then we have to add new harddisk, extend
the VG and then run the chfs command again.
Q.21 What is the command for synchronizing a logical volume copy (mirror)?
Ans. # syncvg <name>
name could be volume group name , physical volume name or logical volume name.
Q.22 Write down the command for turning off a mirroring of a logical volume ?
Ans. # rmlvcopy <LVname> <no. of copies left>
Q.18. How to copy a LV ?
Ans. # cplv [ -v VolumeGroup ] [ -y NewLogicalVolume ] SourceLogicalVolume
Q.41 How do I get rid of a disk that is no longer really in the volume group?
Ans. # reducevg -d -f <vgname> <hdname>
or if the hdname can't be found:
            # reducevg -d -f <vgname> <PVID>
Q.23 Can you define different Quotas on different filesystems for a single user?
Ans. Yes.
Q.35 What is LVCB ?
Ans. The logical volume control block (lvcb) is the first 512 bytes of a logical volume.  This area holds important information such as the creation date of the logical volume,
information about mirrored copies, and possible mount points in a journaled filesystem.
Q.28. File systems - nbpi, etc., read the theory.
Ans. nbpi – number of bytes per inode.
This feature of filesystem is used when fragmentation of files are set. If a filesystem contains small files , then it is advantageous to keep the fragment size small , so that space is not wasted. Normally there is one inode created for every possible file in a filesystem. However in actual practice the number of inodes required are quite less. Therefore to save on space allocated for inodes , we specify the nbpi value.
Q.37. Why am I having trouble adding another disk to my VG?
Ans. a.) Not enough space left in the volume group descriptor area.(VGDA)
b.) Volume group can have a maximum of 32 disks in a volume group. ( 128 for big VG)
Difference between fsck –y and fsck –f
Ans : fsck –f: perform the fast check. It will not check that filesystem were umounted successfully.
FSCK –y : assumes a yes response to all questions asked by the fsck command
What are the 6 steps in fsck –y
1. Check Block and size
2. Check pathname
3. Check connectivity
4. Check reference counts
5. Check inode map
6. Check block map
How to create file system in raw hard disk?
Extendvg, mklv, crfs
What are the stanza in /etc/filesystem?
Dev=
Mount=
Log=
Vfs=
Check=
Type=
What is proc file system?
Contain info about all currently running process
calculation of pp
pv size = 80GB (81920 MB)
default no of pp = 1016
pp size = h/d in mb / default no of pp (81920/1016) = 80mb (>64) that’s why 128 mb
if we want to increase no of pp = t factor increase
no of pp = default no of pp * t factor ( 1016*2 = 2032 pp)
according that if we want to decrease size of PP then we have to increase t factor mean no of pp
ppsize now = 81920/2032 = 40mb means >32 that’s why it’s a 64 mb
6+
How you will maintain the password polices?
Using chuser and /etc/security/user
What is journaled file system?
It maintains a log in corresponding log device before committing any changes to LV and thus maintains integrity of file system.
Boot & dump * Error & ODM
Q.24. How to see memory activity ?
Ans.   Using "sar", "vmstat"
What is difference between tar and cpio?
Ans : Tar handle symbolic link. cpio doesn’t.
What will do when odm in non-rootvg corrupted? (Rename vg also)
Ans :Exportvg and importvg
Why quorum is disabled in mirroring.
Ans : If it is mirrored  within two pv VGDA ill be three, one ill have two VGDA  means 66%,  another ill have one VGDA means 33% , we can`t activate which failed  with in 51%  VGDA.. that’s what quorum is disabled in two mirrored condition.
Will file system extend or reduce update the vgda?
Ans : Yes as the use of pp is maintained by the vgda
Q.25. How to install software ?
Ans. #  installp –a –Q –d <device> -f ‘all latest’
-a Applies one or more software products or updates.
-d Device Specifies where the installation media can be found.
-f ListFile Reads the names of the software products from ListFile.
Q.3 What are the packages to be installed for man pages & networking?
Ans. bos.info and bos.net
Q.4 How do you remove an installed package?
Ans. # installp –u –f listfile
Q.5 What is the use of mkszfile?
Ans. Saves the system state for reinstallation on the current system or another system.  The mkszfile command overwrites an existing /image.data file with new information.
Q.6 Write down the command for checking bootlog?
Ans. # alog -o -t boot
Q.10. How to take the backup of a dump?  
Ans. # snap -a -o <device>    
Q.8. What is echo $$ ?
Ans.    Returns current shell’s PID
Q.3. How to debug shell script ?
Ans. $ sh -x shellfile.
Q.3 What are the packages to be installed for man pages & networking?
Ans. bos.info and bos.net
Q.4 How do you remove an installed package?
Ans. # installp –u –f listfile
Q.5 What is the use of mkszfile?
Ans. Saves the system state for reinstallation on the current system or another system.The mkszfile command overwrites an existing /image.data file with new information.
17.How will you delete an entry from ODM?
Ans : #odmdelete
Q3.What is the component of BLV?
Ans- These are Reduce ODM, RAMfs, Aix Kernel, Aix Commands
Q4.How to Recover BLV if corrupted, which LED will Glow for that?
Ans-Boot the  system by Cd or tape in Maintenance mode and access the rootvg then run #bosboot -ad /dev/hdiskx command set set the bootlist and  restart the system. LED 557 will glow.
Q5.What is reduce ODM?
Ans-This is the copy of ODM which is required for Configure the base devices.
Q6.What is default dump device?
Ans : #/dev/hd6
Q7.How to set bootlist?
Ans : #bootlist -m normal/service device name priority wise
Q8.How to see boot device?
Ans : #bootinfo -b
Q9.What is SMS Mode?
Ans-This is System management service mode use for change the bootlist,see the configuration etc.

Q10.What is errpt?
Ans-This is a command used to display the error details of system. It reads the /var/adm/ras/errorlog file.
Q11.What is sticky bit & How to identify it?
Ans-This is the permission given to a directly so that the user can create the file but can not remove the file of other users. It will show a "t"  with execute permission
Q15.What is the default run level in Aix? How would you see it?
Ans-This is 2 #who –r
Q17.How to know the Aix version?
Ans-#oslevel –r
95. How to inittiate system dump ?
Ans : # sysdumpstart -p (for primay )
  # sysdumpstart -s (secondary)
96. What is SNAP command does.
Ans : Snap is a general purpose commnad use to gather the information about  system
9. What is  the command used to see the platform type of your system  & what are the different type of platforms available .
Ans : 1.) bootinfo -p and oslevel to see the version.
   2.) rs6k,rspc & chrp

11. What are different types of installation methods available ? what is different
Ans 1.)New & complete overwrite
2.) Preservation
3.) Migration installation.
12. What is dynamic kernel ? explain with example
Ans : The devices or some paramters if you are adding or deleting from the                   systems its not required to reboot.
Ie ..Kernel is updated dynamically.
Say ..example if you change the IPADDRESS , its not required to reboot the system .
Q.44 dtlogin ignores .profile?
Ans. Edit .dtprofile and remove # from the last line containing DTSOURCEPROFILE=true.
66. What is purpose of /etc/nologin ,  /etc/exclude.rootvg ,/etc/preserve.list .
Ans : /etc/nologin  - it does not allows new users to login.
/etc/exclude.root - list of filesystesms , directories or files , does not get backedup during the system backup.(mksysb)
/etc/preserv.list - list of filesystems or files to be preserved during the preservation installation.
67. How to list  the particular user attributes.
Ans : # lsuser  -f user name
68. What is purpose of usrck ,pwdck & grpck.
Ans : # usrck -t user name checks the discripances on users information.
# pwd - checks password file for user discripancies.
# grpchk - checks the group informations
69. What is the purpose of ADMCHG flag in /etc/security/password file.
Ans:It  will ask user to change the first time password.
70. What is the file used to limit the access time of particular user.
Ans :/etc/security/login..cfg
71. How to see how long system has been working .
Ans :    uptime
72. Where the SU log activity is stored.
Ans : Var/adm/sulog
73. Where the failed login information is stored.
Ans : /etc/security/failedlogin
74. What is diffrence between /etc/objerepos,/usr/lib/objrepos& /usr/share/objrepos.
Ans :/etc/objrepos -stores the ODM objects of that systems.
/usr/lib/objrepos -stores the ODM objects ..that can be shared by other AIX systems.
/usr/shared/objrepos -contains information , that can be used by other unix systems
75. What are the commands used to manipulate the ODM.
Ans :#odmget , odmadd , odmdelete,odmdrop ,odchange,odmcreate & odmshow
76. What is  flashing 888.
Ans :1. It may be H/W or system dump
77. What is 0c0 .
Ans : Successful complition of dump
78. How to find out the FRU number  & micro code level (ROS or EC level) device.
Ans : #lscfg -vpl device name
   lscfg -vpl hdisk0
79. What is ram file system?
Ans : File system resides on system memory …usually on system booting..
80. What is purpose of TMOUT Variables? Where its specified.
Ans : With help of TMOUT variable if the shell process is not active for period specify by the time out variable  the process will be automatically terminated..
/etc/profile
81. What is advantage of Rsh (restricted ).
Ans :The following are not allowed.
1.) cd          2) ./          3)changing path variable  4 ) Redirect output  > or >>
82. What is purpose of ACL & what are command available
Ans :   acledit , aclget & aclput)
83. How to copy acl from one file to another.
Ans :   aclget file1 |aclput file2
84. How to view the extented permission.
Ans :    ls -e   filename
85. What is purpose of tcbck command.
Ans:    verify  the state of the files with the info in   /etc/security/sysck.cfg
86. How to add a file sysck.cfg database
Ans :   tcbck -a  /home/rama/test12
87. Deleteting files from the sysck.cfg
Ans :  tcbck -d /home/rama/test1
88. What is command used to analyze the system dump.
Ans :  # crash imagefile kernelfilename
90. How  to enable /disable the terminal
Ans : #penable & pdisable
91. How to set tty port for Bidirectionl mode ?
Ans :Share (port attributes )
How to see the Number of processor in the system ?
Ans : #lscfg -vp |grep Proc*
   #lsdev -Cc processor
52. What is diffrence between sar & vmstat,iostat
Ans :Basic difference is SAR has time stamp but vmstat & iostat does not.
53. How to calculate CPU Ideal time  & paging rate, what is purpose of the same.
Ans : #Vmstat interval number - it is done to see the condition of the system.
54. How to verify that system is CPU bounded or Resources Bounded (memory & IO)
Ans :If %sys+%usr >= 80 average the problem may be CPU Bounded.
If  the paging rate is  >= 1 then more paging activity is there in the system .it may be due to the memory or insufficient paging space.
55. How to increase the size of error log file.
Ans : # errdemon -s `size in bytes`
39. What is errpt? How the start & stop the error loging , how to clear the error log.
Ans :Errpt is error-reporting program.  Its reports the contains of file /var/adm/ras/errorlog
2.)/usr/lib/errdaemon
3)errorstop
4.)errclear 0 (clear all errors )
40. What is the command used to see the Operating system level.
Ans :    oslevel
41. How to see the fileset level ( bos.sysmgt.nim.master).
Ans:    lslpp -l bos.sysmgt.nim.master
42. what is the smit past path used to upgrate to next modification level.
Ans:  #smit update_all
43. Where the installp command output is stored? (smit )
Ans : #$HOME/smit.log
44. What is the meaning of applied, commited, broken & absolute?
Status of filesets .
45. How to clean up the failed software installation.
Ans : #installp
46. What is the purpose of lppchk
#lppchk -c to verify the checksum
#lppchk  -v to verify the software parts..
47. What are the parts of software components?
#root,usr & share parts.
Backup
Q2. What are the problems encountered during creation of mksysb?
Ans. If creation of mksysb fails then it may have the problems like:
1. If the particular files are missing, mksysb creation fails. In that case you have to specify the files missing in /etc/exclude.rootvg and run mksysb with -e flag in addition to the other flags.
2. Some times the Filesystem space is insufficient. This can be due to installation of some new softwares. Normally the minimum Filesystem space required is 2.2 GB. Rest it depends upon the no. of softwares installed.
97. What is purpose of image.data &  bosinst.data
Ans # image.data contains information about VG & LVS
#bosinst.data contains ..information about the installation flow control ..like method of installation,prompted or not.
98. How to restore  the mksysb image of one systems to other system with different hardware.
Ans  : Boot from the Installation CD , then choose to restore from mksysb tape , so that if any additional driver is required it will copy from the CD-ROM.
99. How to take backup of rootvg
Ans   : #mksysb -i   /dev/rmt0
100. How to view the mksysb tape & how to restore particular file from mksysb tape
Ans   : # tctl -s4 -f /dev/rmt0
     # restore -Tvf /dev/rmt0
     # restore -xvf /dev/rmt0 filename.
101. How to rewind the tape.
Ans   :  # tctl  -f /dev/rmt0 rewind

AIX FAQs - part4

Q.1 How will you change bootlist for PCI & classical system ?

Ans. # bootlist -m normal hdisk1 hdisk0

On some PCI systems (like 43p) bootlist cannot be changed using the bootlist command. For such systems , we have to change the bootlist using System Management Services (SMS) menu by pressing F5/F6 key at the time of system boot.

Q.2 How do you start & stop a subsystem & susbsystem group like inetd and tcpip.

Ans. # startsrc -g tcpip        --> for starting a group of services
# startsrc -s inetd   --> for starting a single service.

Q.3 What are the packages to be installed for man pages & networking?

Ans. bos.info and bos.net

Q.4 How do you remove an installed package?

Ans. # installp –u –f listfile

Q.5 What is the use of mkszfile?

Ans. Saves the system state for reinstallation on the current system or another system.  The mkszfile command overwrites an existing /image.data file with new information.

Q.6 Write down the command for checking bootlog?

Ans. # alog -o -t boot

Q.7 How do you change the run level form single user mode to multiuser mode?

Ans. # telinit 2

Q.8 Write down the command syntax for listing all supported and customized devices?

Ans. $ lsdev -C –H --> lists all customized devices with header
$ lsdev -P –H --> lists all supported devices.

Q9. Write the command for checking the amount of memory for PCI and CLASSICAL RS6000?

Ans. $ lsattr -E -l mem0   , lsattr –El Sys0 –a realmem

Q.10 Write the command for changing maximum number of user process from 40 to 80?
Ans. # chdev  -l sys0 -a maxuproc=80

Q.11 How do you configure a defined device?

Ans. # mkdev -l devname

Q.12 Write down the command for disabling tty0?

Ans. #  chdev –l ‘tty0’ –a login=’disable’

Q.13 Can one printer belongs to multiple queues? If yes then when do you use this and if no why it's not possible?

Ans. Yes .
We use this when the same printer is used under different emulation like – post script , PCL emulation ,ASCII , etc. We can add different queues for different emulation.

Q.14 Can you configure a queue to multiple printers (y/n)?If yes then write the print command to a queue on a specific printer? If no write down the reason.

Ans. Yes
$ lpr –P lp0:<queuename> <filename>

Q.15 What is the command syntax for testing queue status?

Ans. $ lpstat –t

Q.16 Where does the information about queues and printer stored?

Ans. /etc/qconfig


Q.17 Write down the command syntax for changing the priorities of a print job?

Ans. # qpri  - # JobNumber -a PriorityNumber

The job number and priority number can be obtained by running the lpstat –t command. The priority can only be changed by printer administrator or system administrator.

Q.18 Write down commands syntax for listing all VG and content of a single vg?

Ans. $ lsvg --> lists all volume groups.
$ lsvg –o --> lists only active volume groups.

$ lsvg <VGname> --> displays characteristics of volume group.
$ lsvg –l <VGname> --> logical volumes
$ lsvg –p <VGname> --> physical volumes

Q.19 Write down the command to find out which PV belongs to which VG?

Ans. $ lspv

Q.20 Write down command for making a volume group ?

Ans. # mkvg –y <VGname> Physical volume names

-B flag may be used for creating big volume group ( maxpvs. 128)
-t <factor> is used for specifying the PP size.

Q.21 What is the command for synchronizing a logical volume copy (mirror)?

Ans. # syncvg <name>

name could be volume group name , physical volume name or logical volume name.

Q.22 Write down the command for turning off a mirroring of a logical volume ?

Ans. # rmlvcopy <LVname> <no. of copies left>

Q.23 Can you define different Quotas on different filesystems for a single user?

Ans. Yes.

  Q:--What is DRM? & Why DRM? (Disaster recovery management)

in terms of  tsm drm is a restore recovery  manager. Its use to recover the tsm server after crash. It is a feature of IBM tsm extended addition. it autobates the prosess of the recvery from disastar its provide off site media management , autobatacete restore of the tsm server and manage client recovery.

Q:--Steps in DRM? Explain each state?

Register the drm license
      Reg lic file = drm.lic
     Define backup copy pool
    Def stg ltocopystg  ltoclass pool type =copy access=read write colloc=no reclaim=100 maxscrach=10 resusedealy=14

Drm setting
  Make directory c:\drm\plan and c:\drm\instraction
Set drmplanprefix c:\drm\plan\random  (where recovery plan stored)
Set drm plan vpostfix @ ( add name of dr volume with @to recognize easily)
Set drm primstgpool diskpool , lto stg.
Set drmcopystg lto copystg

Q drmstatus ( to checkdrm parameter)

Default dbbackup series and recovery plan files expiration is 60 days)

Q:-- Tell me the process the moving the tape from mountable state to vault state?

Q:-- How you will define library? Explain step by step in command line?
1 to view the hardware address by
2 c:\program files \ Tivoli\tsm\console\ tsmdlist >devlist.txt
3 notepad devlist.txt
4 def  library lib_name  libtype=scsi
5 def  path server1 lib_name srctype=server desttype=library device=lb3.0.0.0 (lb3.scsiid.lun .bus.port.)
6 def drive lib_name tap01 elem=autodetect
7 def path server1 tap01 srctype=server desttype=drive library=lib_name device=mt3.0.0.0
8 run
  audit library command  and check the activity  log to ensure you were succfull.

============================================================

Q: -- What is the last parameter in define path?
     Device=(lb3.scsiid.lun .bus. port.)
Q: -- Tell me the device name for library in TSM on AIX?

Q: -- Tell me full syntax for define device class LTO?
   Def devc devclass_name   devtype=3570 format=drive/3570 estcapacity=size.

Q: -- What us policy management cycle? Explain?


Q:- Full syntax for copy group? And explain the define copy group step by step?

 DEF copygroup domain policy set mgmtclass   standard type=backup destt=pool name verexits=2 verdeleted=1 ret extra=30 ret only=60 mode=modified /absolute  serlizasition=statices/dayanmic.

Q:-- Difference between backup and archive?
Backup – it is take a fullback up of client data at first time and next it will take a data incremental backup data life is only max 60 days
Archive:   - is take full backup every time of client data its data life is 365 days it is use to save a data for long peradia.

Q:--Defaults retention period for archive?
365 DAYS

Difference between active and validate policy set?

Explain policy management class step by step in command line?
define mgmtclass prog1 summer mclass1
 spacemgtechnique=automatic migdestination=smpool
 description="technical support mgmt class"
What is include and exclude list?

Q.1 How to go to parent directory ?
 Ans. $ cd ..

Q.2. How to execute .profile without logging in again ?
Ans. $ sh .profile

 Q.3. How to debug shell script ?
Ans. $ sh -x shellfile.

Q. 4. What is first line in shell script
Ans.    #!/usr/bin/ksh              - path to the shell but no comments. ! is important.

Q. 5. If you are not able to telnet what are the possible reasons and how to diagnose it ?
Ans. The possible reasons are:
1. Network connection not through.
2. Wrong IP address.
3. Client not in the same network.
4. Telnet disabled on the server.
The problem could be diagnosed using 1.) ping  2.) ifconfig  3.) netstat –v 4.) traceroute

Q.6. What is the entry in resolv.conf for DNS client ?.

Ans.    domain domain.com
    nameserver IP.ADDRESS.OF.SERVER  
    nameserver  IP.ADDRESS.OF.SECONDARY
 
Q.7. How to extend lv ?
 
Ans. # extendlv <lvname> <no.of_LPs>  <PVname>
 
Q.8. What is echo $$ ?

Ans.    Returns current shell’s PID
Q.9. How to unmount a filesystem and if it is not able to unmount what are the steps ?
   
Ans. # umount <filesystem>

Q.10. How to take the backup of a dump?
 
Ans. # snap -a -o <device>    
-a Gathers all system configuration information. This option requires approximately 8MB of temporary disk space.
-o OutputDevice Copies the compressed image onto diskette or tape.
Q.11. How to extend the File systems size ?
Ans. #  chfs -a size=Newsize  filesystem

-a size=NewSize   Specifies the size of the Enhanced Journaled File System in 512-byte blocks. If Value begins with a +, it is interpreted as a request to increase the file system size by the specified amount.

Q.12. How to see the routing table ?
Ans. $ netstat –rn

-n Shows network addresses as numbers.
-r Shows the routing tables
Q.13. How to see the arp cache ?
   
Ans. $ arp -a

Q.14. What are the daemons for NFS Primary server ?

Ans. nfsd,  rpc.statd, rpc.lockd, portmap
Q.15. What are the daemons for NIS ?

Ans. ypbind, ypserv, yppasswd, portmap

Q.16. How to access the NFS mounted File System ?
Ans. Just go to the Directory or Access the directory under the filesystem

Q.17. What is automount ?  ( explain briefly )

Ans. a) Used for automatic and transparent mounting and unmounting of NFS File systems.
b) Based on AutoFS facility.
c) Uses automounter map files to find the mount directories and mount arguments. Map can be text files or NIS maps.
d) automount command
e) automountd daemon
f) Client-side server

Benefits:
a) Reduces system administration of /etc/filesystems file particularly if NIS maps are used
b) No pre-mounting of directories not currently needed thus reducing possibility of client hang due to down server
c) Distributes client workload for NFS read-only file systems
d) Provides method for single-system image for clients

Q.18. How to copy a LV ?

Ans. # cplv [ -v VolumeGroup ] [ -y NewLogicalVolume ] SourceLogicalVolume

Q.19. How to see the active VG ?

Ans. $ vg –o

Q.20. How to see the all the LVs in all active VGs ?

Ans. $  lsvg -o | lsvg -i –l

Q.21. Where the System Log files are located ?
   
Ans. /var/adm/ras

Q.22. How to see the paging space ?

Ans. $ lsps -a

Q.23. How to see the System Dump Space ?
Ans.  $  sysdumpdev -l

-l Lists the current value of the primary and secondary dump devices, copy directory, and forcecopy attribute.
Q.24. How to see memory activity ?

Ans.   Using "sar", "vmstat"

Q.25. How to install software ?
 
Ans. #  installp –a –Q –d <device> -f ‘all latest’

-a Applies one or more software products or updates.
-d Device Specifies where the installation media can be found.
-f ListFile Reads the names of the software products from ListFile.

Q.26. "no" command options especially 'thewall' parameter.
Ans. Network option  Configures network attributes.

no { -a | -d Attribute | -o Attribute [ =NewValue ] }

thewall Specifies the maximum amount of memory, in kilobytes, that is allocated to the memory pool. In AIX 4.2.1 and earlier, the default value is 1/8 of real memory or 65536 (64 megabytes), whichever is smaller. In AIX 4.3, the default value is 1/8 of real memory or 131072 (128 megabytes), whichever is smaller. In AIX 4.3.1, the default value is 1/2 of real memory or 131072 (128 megabytes), whichever is smaller. In AIX 4.3.2 and later, the default value depends on whether you are running on a CHRP machine or not. For non-CHRP machines, the default value is 1/2 of real memory or 262144 (256 megabytes), whichever is smaller. For CHRP machines, the default value is 1/2 of real memory or 1048576 (1 gigabyte). thewall is a runtime attribute.

Q.27. ODM - where it resides, how to modify,list,etc.,

Ans. ODM resides in /etc/objrepos , /usr/lib/objrepos and /usr/share/lib/objrepos.

To modify ODM use the following sequence :
# odmget  -q"uniquetype=tape/scsi/8mm and attribute=block_size" PdAt > file
# vi file  edit the corresponding attribute.
# odmdelete -o PdAt -q"uniquetype=tape/scsi/8mm and attribute=block_size"
# odmadd file

To list contents of ODM use lsdev command.
Q.28. File systems - nbpi, etc., read the theory.

Ans. nbpi – number of bytes per inode.

This feature of filesystem is used when fragmentation of files are set. If a filesystem contains small files , then it is advantageous to keep the fragment size small , so that space is not wasted. Normally there is one inode created for every possible file in a filesystem. However in actual practice the number of inodes required are quite less. Therefore to save on space allocated for inodes , we specify the nbpi value.
 Q.29. What is SPOT?  Or  Explain SPOT ? Is it part of NIM ?

Ans. The SPOT contains the directory structure for an installed /usr file system. It also contains subdirectories for the "root" parts of installed filesets. Since the SPOT contains both usr and root files, software maintenance must be performed on the SPOT in order to update the software that is running on the clients. Such actions must be performed using the NIM cust and maint operations.
Spot is used by the client during NIM install or boot.  The following operations are performed to manage the software for diskless and dataless clients:

1. The /usr files are installed in the SPOT. These files are automatically seen by all the clients that mount the SPOT as their    /usr file systems.
2. The root files are installed in special subdirectories in the SPOT.
3. After all the filesets have been installed in the SPOT, the root files are copied to the directories of any diskless or  dataless clients that have been initialized with the SPOT

 Q.30 How to replace an ssa disk ?  ( Refer Problem solving guide-redbook)

 Q.31. How to configure raid 5 and hot spare

Q.32. How do I setup anonymous ftp on my AIX system?

Ans. /usr/lpp/tcpip/samples/anon.ftp  It is a shell script and will set up a anonymous ftp site on your local RS/6000.

Q.33 How can I share files/printers with Windows 95?

Ans. The freeware solution is Samba .Commercial solutions include Fusion95 from Performance Technology

Q.34. How do I shrink /usr?

Ans. 1) Remove any unneeded files from /usr.

2) Make sure all filesystems in the root volume group are mounted. If not, they will not be included in the re-installed system.

  3) Type mkszfile. This will create /image.data that contains a list of  the active filesystems in the root volume group that will be included in the installation procedure.

  4) Edit /image.data. Change the size of /usr to what you want.

           IMPORTANT: Make sure that you DO NOT enter a value which is less than the size of the filesystem required to contain the current data. Doing so will cause the re-installation procedure to fail.

  5) chdev -l rmt0 -a block=512 -T

6) Unmount all filesystems that are NOT in the root volume group.

  7) Varyoff all user-defined volume groups, if any

        # varyoffvg VGname

          8) Export the user-defined volume groups, if any

        # exportvg VGname

  9) With a tape in the tape drive, type

      # mksysb /dev/rmt0



     This will do a complete system backup, which will include information (in the /image.data file) for the installation procedure on how large the filesystems are to be created.

  10) Install the backup .

   
  11) When the installation is complete, you may then import any user-defined volume groups.

        # importvg -y VGname PVname

     where "VGname" is the name of the volume group, and "PVname" is  the name of any one of the physical volumes in the volume group.

  12) Varyon your user-defined volume groups

        # varyonvg VGname

 The reduction of the filesystems is now complete.

Q.35 What is LVCB ?

Ans. The logical volume control block (lvcb) is the first 512 bytes of a logical volume.  This area holds important information such as the creation date of the logical volume,
information about mirrored copies, and possible mount points in a journaled filesystem.


Q.36. What is the limit on Physical Partitions Per Volume Group?
Ans. 1016 Physical Partitions Per Disk in a Volume Group
In most cases, not all the possible 1016 tracking partitions are used by a disk.
The default size of each Physical Partition during a "mkvg" command is 4 MB, which implies that individual disks up to 4 GB can be included into a volume group.

     If a disk larger than 4 GB is added to a volume group (based on usage of the default 4 MB size for Physical Partition) the disk addition will fail with a warning message that the Physical Partition size needs to be increased.*  There are two instances where this limitation will be enforced.  The first case is when the user tries to use "mkvg" to create a volume group where the number of physical partitions on one of the disks in
the volume group would exceed 1016.  In this case, the user must pick from the available Physical Partition ranges of:

1, 2, (4), 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512 or 1024

Megabytes and use the "-s" option to "mkvg".  The second case is where the disk which violates the 1016 limitation is attempting to join a pre-existing volume group with
the "extendvg" command.  The user can either recreate the volume group with a larger Physical Partition size (which will allow the new disk to work with the 1016 limitation)
or the user can create a standalone volume group (consisting of a larger Physical Partition size) for the new disk.

Q.37. Why am I having trouble adding another disk to my VG?

Ans. a.) Not enough space left in the volume group descriptor area.(VGDA)
b.) Volume group can have a maximum of 32 disks in a volume group. ( 128 for big VG)

Q 38. What are the limits on a file, filesystem?


File    jfs-Filesystem
3.2.5 2 GB      2 GB
4.1.x 2 GB      1 TB
4.2 64GB      1 TB
4.3 64 GB      1 TB
5.x 1 Tb      4 PT

Q.39 How do I fix Volume Group Locked?

Ans. Use
# (putlvodm -K `getlvodm -v <vgname>`)

Q.40. How do I remove a volume group with no disks?

Ans. # exportvg <vgname>

Q.41 How do I get rid of a disk that is no longer really in the volume group?
Ans. # reducevg -d -f <vgname> <hdname>

or if the hdname can't be found:

            # reducevg -d -f <vgname> <PVID>

Q.42 What are the theoritical limits within the LVM?

Ans. The system may have 1 to 255 Volumes Groups (VG's).
  Each VG may contain 1 to 32 Physical Volumes (PV's).
  Each PV may contain upto 1016 Physical Partitions (PP's).
  Each PP may have a size (square of 2) from 1 to 256MB (1024MB for AIX 4.3).

The filesystem and file limits are :

File    jfs-Filesystem
3.2.5 2 GB      2 GB
4.1.x 2 GB      1 TB
4.2 64GB      1 TB
4.3 64 GB      1 TB
5.x 1 Tb      4 PT
Q.43. How do I control how hostnames are resolved?

Ans. The default order can be overwritten by creating the configuration file, /etc/netsvc.conf and specifying the desired order. Both the default and /etc/netsvc.conf can be overwritten with the environment variable, NSORDER.

Q.44 dtlogin ignores .profile?

Ans. Edit .dtprofile and remove # from the last line containing DTSOURCEPROFILE=true.
Q.45. How do I transfer files between AIX and DOS disks?

Ans. Install the AIX package bos.dosutils which has commands for transferring files between DOS diskettes and AIX. The commands are dosread, doswrite, dosdir, dosdel,
and dosformat.

Q.46. How do I determine the clock frequency of a RS/6000 by software ?

Ans. There is no way to find out the clock frequency with a piece of software