Datasheet

28
One use of the command line is to add more details to the LUNs to better manage them. The
make virtual device (mkvdev) command has a device parameter that can be used to add more
descriptive names. Refer to the VIOS command reference for more details at:
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/powersys/v3r1m5/topic/iphcg/iphcg.pdf
If the QAUTOCFG system value in IBM i is set to 1 (which is the default), the new virtual
resources will become available in IBM i immediately. No action is required on the IVM/VIOS
command line.
5.4 Optical virtualization
5.4.1 Physical optical devices
CD and DVD drives supported by VIOS can be virtualized to IBM i directly. Optical drives are
recognized in VIOS as cdX devices. A cdX device is linked to a vhostX VSCSI server adapter
and made available to IBM i through a virtual target optical device, vtoptX. The same optical
drive can be virtualized to multiple IBM i client partitions by creating separate vtoptX devices
linked to different vhostX adapters for the same cdX device. Only one IBM i client partition can
use the physical optical drive at a time. If the physical optical drive is writeable, IBM i will be able
to write to it. Similar to LUNs, optical devices can be virtualized to IBM i using the enhanced
functions of the HMC/SDMC; it is not necessary to use the IVM/VIOS command line to create the
vtoptX devices.
5.4.2 VIOS Media Repository
VIOS provides a capability similar to that of an image catalog (IMGCLG) in IBM i: a repository of
media images on disk. Unlike IMGCLGs in IBM i, a single media repository may exist per VIOS.
The media repository allows file-backed virtual optical volumes to be made available to the IBM i
client partition through a separate vtoptX device. One immediate benefit to IBM i is the ability to
import the IBM i install media into VIOS as ISO images, then install the client partition from the
ISO images instead of switching real media in a physical DVD drive.
5.4.3 Assigning a physical or virtual Optical/DVD/CD drive using
the HMC
The HMC also has an interface to create the virtual media library:
 You need to start at the Managed Server level. Select the managed server and then
expand Configuration->Virtual Resources->Virtual Storage Management.
 Select a VIOS server and click Query VIOS.
 Expand the Optical devices tab and select the cd#/virtual optical device and assign it
to a partition.
5.4.4 Assigning a physical or virtual Optical/DVD/CD drive using
the SDMC
SDMC has an interface to create and load the virtual media library too. Use the following steps to
do this:
 On the welcome page, click Resources,
 Expand Hosts and click on the host (Power server) that you want to work with.
 Select the virtual server for VIOS, right-click the name and click System Configuration -
> Manage Virtual Server.
 Click Media Devices on the left-hand navigation panel. The optical device interface is
shown on the right.