4 Installation on IBM IBM Z and LinuxONE #

Different installation methods have different memory requirements during installation. After installation is completed, the system administrator may reduce memory to the desired size. At least 1 GB of memory is recommended for the text-mode installation under z/VM, LPAR, and KVM. Installation in the graphical mode requires at least 1.5 GB of memory.

Note: Memory Requirements with Remote Installation Sources

Minimum of 512 MB of memory is required for installation from NFS, FTP, and SMB installation sources, or when VNC is used. Keep in mind that memory requirements also depend on the number of devices visible to the z/VM guest or the LPAR image. Installation with a large number of accessible devices (even if unused for the installation) may require more memory.

The disk requirements depend largely on the installation. Commonly, you need more space than the installation software itself needs to have a system that works properly. Minimal requirements for different selections are:

A network connection is required to communicate with your SUSE Linux Enterprise Server system. This can be one or several of the following connections or network cards:

The following interfaces are still included, but no longer supported:

For installations under KVM, make sure the following requirements are met to enable the VM Guest to access the network transparently:

Negotiate the order of installation with your IBM support, because it might be necessary to activate the VM APARs before installing the new MicroCode levels.

DVD1 of the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for IBM IBM Z contains a bootable Linux image for Intel-based workstations and an image for IBM IBM Z.

For Intel-based workstations, boot from this DVD. When prompted, choose the desired answer language and keyboard layout and select Start rescue system. You need at least 64 MB RAM for this. No disk space is needed, because the entire rescue system resides in the workstation's RAM. This approach requires setting up the networking of the workstation manually.

For IBM IBM Z, IPL your LPAR/VM guest from this DVD as described in Section 4.2.4.1.2, “IPL from FCP-Attached SCSI DVD”. After entering your network parameters, the installation system treats the DVD as the source of installation data. Because IBM IBM Z cannot have an X11-capable terminal attached directly, choose between VNC or SSH installation. SSH also provides a graphical installation by tunneling the X connection through SSH with ssh -X.

To make the installation media available with SMB, insert the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server DVD 1 into the DVD drive of the Windows workstation. Then create a new share using the DVD-ROM drive's letter and make it available for everyone in the network.

The installation path in YaST can be:

smb://DOMAIN;USER:PW@SERVERNAME/SHAREPATH

Where the placeholders mean:

Refer to the documentation provided with the third party product that enables NFS server services for your Windows workstation. The DVD-ROM drive containing the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server DVDs must be in the available NFS path.

Refer to the documentation provided with the third-party product that is enabling FTP server services on your Windows workstation. The DVD-ROM drive containing the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server DVDs must be in the available FTP path.

The FTP server that is bundled with certain Microsoft Windows releases implements only a subset of the FTP commands, and it is not suitable for providing the installation data. In this case, use a third-party FTP server that offers the required functionality.

After you IPLed from the SCSI DVD as described in Section 4.1.3.3, “Load from SCSI-Attached DVD”, the installation system uses the DVD as the installation medium. In this case, you do not need the installation media on an FTP, NFS, or SMB server. However, you need the network configuration data for your SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, because you must set up the network during the installation to perform a graphical installation via VNC or by X.

Importing the media requires the installation source to be available on the Cobbler server—either from DVD or from a network source. Run the following command to import the data:

cobbler import --path=PATH1 --name=IDENTIFIER2 --arch=s390x

Adding a distribution allows Cobbler to provide the kernel and the initrd required to IPL via zPXE. Run the following command on the Cobbler server to add SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for IBM IBM Z:

cobbler distro add --arch=s390 --breed=suse --name="IDENTIFIER"1 \
  --os-version=sles122 \
  --initrd=/srv/www/cobbler/ks_mirror/IDENTIFIER/boot/s390x/initrd3 \
  --kernel=/srv/www/cobbler/ks_mirror/IDENTIFIER/boot/s390x/linux4 \
  --kopts="install=http://cobbler.example.com/cobbler/ks_mirror/IDENTIFIER"5

Adding a distribution (see Section 4.2.1.3.2, “Adding a Distribution”) automatically generates a profile with the corresponding IDENTIFIER. Use the following command to make a few required adjustments:

cobbler distro edit \
--name=IDENTIFIER1 --os-version=sles102 --ksmeta=""3
--kopts="install=http://cobbler.example.com/cobbler/ks_mirror/IDENTIFIER"4

The last step is to add systems to the Cobbler server. This step must be performed for every IBM IBM Z guest that should boot via zPXE. Guests are identified by their z/VM user ID (in the following example, the ID “linux01”). Note that the ID must be lowercase. To add a system, run the following command:

cobbler system add --name=linux01 --hostname=linux01.example.com \
--profile=IDENTIFIER --interface=qdio \
--ip-address=192.168.2.103 --subnet=192.168.2.255 --netmask=255.255.255.0 \
--name-servers=192.168.1.116 --name-servers-search=example.com \
--gateway=192.168.2.1 --kopts="KERNEL_OPTIONS"

The --kopts option allows you to specify the kernel and installation parameters that are usually specified in the parmfile. Specify the parameters using the following format: PARAMETER1=VALUE1 PARAMETER2=VALUE2. The installer prompts for missing parameters. For a fully-automated installation, you need to specify all parameters for networking, DASDs and provide an AutoYaST file. Below is an example for a guest equipped with an OSA interface using the same network parameters as above.

--kopts=" \
AutoYaST=http://192.168.0.5/autoinst.xml \
Hostname=linux01.example.com \
Domain=example.com \
HostIP=192.168.2.103 \
Gateway=192.168.2.1 \
Nameserver=192.168.1.116 \
Searchdns=example.com \
InstNetDev=osa; \
Netmask=255.255.255.0 \
Broadcast=192.168.2.255 \
OsaInterface=qdio \
Layer2=0 \
PortNo=0 \
ReadChannel=0.0.0700 \
WriteChannel=0.0.0701 \
DataChannel=0.0.0702 \
DASD=600"

The first step is to attach and format one or multiple DASDs in the system to be used by the Linux guest in z/VM. Next, create a new user in z/VM. The example shows the directory for a user LINUX1 with the password LINPWD, 1 GB of memory (extendable up to 2 GB), several minidisks (MDISK), two CPUs, and an OSA QDIO device.

Tip: Assigning Memory to z/VM guests

When assigning memory to a z/VM guest, make sure that the memory size is adequate for the preferred installation type. See Section 4.1.1.1.1, “Memory Requirements”. To set the memory size to 1 GB, use the command CP DEFINE STORAGE 1G. After the installation has finished, reset the memory size to the desired value.

USER LINUX1 LINPWD 1024M 2048M G
*____________________________________________
* LINUX1
*____________________________________________
* This VM Linux guest has two CPUs defined.

CPU 01 CPUID 111111
CPU 02 CPUID 111222
IPL CMS PARM AUTOCR
IUCV ANY
IUCV ALLOW
MACH ESA 10
OPTION MAINTCCW RMCHINFO
SHARE RELATIVE 2000
CONSOLE 01C0 3270 A
SPOOL 000C 2540 READER *
SPOOL 000D 2540 PUNCH A
SPOOL 000E 3203 A
* OSA QDIO DEVICE DEFINITIONS
DEDICATE 9A0 9A0
DEDICATE 9A1 9A1
DEDICATE 9A2 9A2
*
LINK MAINT 0190 0190 RR
LINK MAINT 019E 019E RR
LINK MAINT 019D 019D RR
* MINIDISK DEFINITIONS
MDISK 201 3390 0001 0050 DASD40 MR ONE4ME TWO4ME THR4ME
MDISK 150 3390 0052 0200 DASD40 MR ONE4ME TWO4ME THR4ME
MDISK 151 3390 0253 2800 DASD40 MR ONE4ME TWO4ME THR4ME

This example uses minidisk 201 as the guest's home disk. Minidisk 150 with 200 cylinders is the Linux swap device. Disk 151 with 2800 cylinders holds the Linux installation.

As user MAINT, add the guest to the user directory with DIRM FOR LINUX1 ADD. Enter the name of the guest (LINUX1) and press F5. Set up the environment of the user with:

DIRM DIRECT
DIRM USER WITHPASS

The last command returns a reader file number. This number is needed for the next command:

RECEIVE <number> USER DIRECT A (REPL)

You can now log in on the guest as user LINUX1.

If you do not have the dirmaint option available, refer to the IBM documentation on how to set up this user.

Proceed with Section 4.2.4.2, “IPLing a z/VM Installation”.

By default, libvirt searches for disk images in /var/lib/libvirt/images/ on the VM Host Server. Although images can also be stored anywhere on the file system, it is recommended to store all images in a single location for easier maintainability. To create an image, log in to the KVM host server and run the following command:

qemu-img create -f qcow2 /var/lib/libvirt/images/s12lin_qcow2.img 10G

This creates a qcow2 image with a size of 10 GB in /var/lib/libvirt/images/. For more information refer to Section 28.2, “Managing Disk Images with qemu-img”.

A domain XML file is used to define the VM Guest. To create the domain XML file open an empty file s12-1.xml with an editor and create a file like in the following example.

<domain type="kvm">
 <name>s12-1</name>
 <description>Guest-System SUSE Sles12</description>
 <memory>1048576</memory>
 <vcpu>1</vcpu>
 <os>
  <type arch="s390x" machine="s390-ccw-virtio">hvm</type>
  <!-- Boot kernel - remove 3 lines after successfull installation -->
  <kernel>/var/lib/libvirt/images/s12-kernel.boot</kernel>
  <initrd>/var/lib/libvirt/images/s12-initrd.boot</initrd>
  <cmdline>linuxrcstderr=/dev/console</cmdline>
 </os>
 <iothreads>1</iothreads>
 <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff>
 <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot>
 <on_crash>preserve</on_crash>
 <devices>
  <emulator>/usr/bin/qemu-system-s390x</emulator>
  <disk type="file" device="disk">
   <driver name="qemu" type="qcow2" cache="none" iothread="1" io="native"/>
   <source file="/var/lib/libvirt/images/s12lin_qcow2.img"/>
   <target dev="vda" bus="virtio"/>
  </disk>
  <interface type="direct">
   <source dev="bond0" mode="bridge"/>
   <model type="virtio"/>
  </interface>
  <console type="pty">
   <target type="sclp"/>
  </console>
 </devices>
</domain>

Mark the LPAR to install and select Load from CD-ROM or server. Leave the field for the file location blank or enter the path to the root directory of the first DVD-ROM and select Continue. Keep the default selection in the appeared list of options. Operating system messages should now show the kernel boot messages.

You can use the Load procedure by selecting SCSI as Load type to IPL from SCSI. Enter the WWPN (Worldwide port name) and LUN (Logical unit number) provided by your SCSI bridge or storage (16 digits—do not omit the trailing 0s). The boot program selector must be 2. Use your FCP adapter as Load address and perform an IPL.

You need a working TCP/IP connection and an FTP client program within your newly-defined z/VM guest to transfer the installation system via FTP. Setting up TCP/IP for z/VM is beyond the scope of this manual. Refer to the appropriate IBM documentation.

Log in as the z/VM Linux guest to IPL. Make the content of the directory /boot/s390x on DVD 1 of the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for IBM IBM Z available via FTP within your network. From this directory, get the files linux, initrd, parmfile, and sles12.exec. Transfer the files with a fixed block size of 80 characters. Specify it with the FTP command locsite fix 80. linux (the Linux kernel) and initrd (the installation image) must be copied as binary files, so use the binary transfer mode. parmfile and sles12.exec need to be transferred in ASCII mode.

The following example shows the required steps. This particular scenario assumes that the required files are accessible from an FTP server at the IP address 192.168.0.3 and the login is lininst.

FTP 192.168.0.3
VM TCP/IP FTP Level 530
Connecting to 192.168.0.3, port 21
220 ftpserver FTP server (Version wu-2.4.2-academ[BETA-18](1)
Thu Feb 11 16:09:02 GMT 2010) ready.
USER
lininst
331 Password required for lininst
PASS
******
230 User lininst logged in.
Command:
binary
200 Type set to I
Command:
locsite fix 80
Command:
get /media/dvd1/boot/s390x/linux sles12.linux
200 PORT Command successful
150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for /media/dvd1/boot/s390x/linux
(10664192 bytes)
226 Transfer complete.
10664192 bytes transferred in 13.91 seconds.
Transfer rate 766.70 Kbytes/sec.
Command:
get /media/dvd1/boot/s390x/initrd sles12.initrd
200 PORT Command successful
150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for /media/dvd1/boot/s390x/initrd
(21403276 bytes)
226 Transfer complete.
21403276 bytes transferred in 27.916 seconds.
Transfer rate 766.70 Kbytes/sec.
Command:
ascii
200 Type set to A
Command:
get /media/dvd1/boot/s390x/parmfile sles12.parmfile
150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for /media/dvd1/boot/s390x/parmfile
(5 bytes)
226 Transfer complete.
5 bytes transferred in 0.092 seconds.
Transfer rate 0.05 Kbytes/sec.
Command:
get /media/dvd1/boot/s390x/sles12.exec sles12.exec
150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for /media/dvd1/boot/s390x/sles12.exec
(891 bytes)
226 Transfer complete.
891 bytes transferred in 0.097 seconds.
Transfer rate 0.89 Kbytes/sec.
Command:
quit

Use the REXX script sles12.exec you downloaded to IPL the Linux installation system. This script loads the kernel, parmfile, and the initial RAM disk into the reader for IPL.

/* REXX LOAD EXEC FOR SUSE LINUX S/390 VM GUESTS       */
/* LOADS SUSE LINUX S/390 FILES INTO READER            */
SAY ''
SAY 'LOADING SLES12 FILES INTO READER...'
'CP CLOSE RDR'
'PURGE RDR ALL'
'SPOOL PUNCH * RDR'
'PUNCH SLES12 LINUX A (NOH'
'PUNCH SLES12 PARMFILE A (NOH'
'PUNCH SLES12 INITRD A (NOH'
'IPL 00C'

Using the script, you can IPL the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server installation system with the command sles12. The Linux kernel then starts and outputs its boot messages.

To continue the installation, proceed to Section 4.2.5, “Network Configuration”.

To IPL in z/VM, prepare the SCSI IPL process by using the SET LOADDEV parameter:

SET LOADDEV PORTNAME 200400E8 00D74E00 LUN 00020000 00000000 BOOT 2

After setting the LOADDEV parameter with the appropriate values, IPL your FCP adapter, for example:

IPL FC00

To continue the installation, proceed with Section 4.2.5, “Network Configuration”.

To IPL from a Cobbler server with zPXE, you need to transfer the zpxe.rexx script via FTP from the Cobbler server to your z/VM guest. To do this, the z/VM guest needs a working TCP/IP connection and an FTP client program.

Log in as the z/VM Linux guest to IPL and transfer the script with a fixed size of 80 characters in ASCII mode (see Example 4.3, “Transferring the Binaries via FTP” for an example). The zpxe.rexx script is available on the Cobbler server at /usr/share/doc/packages/s390-tools/.

zpxe.rexx is supposed to replace the PROFILE EXEC of your guest. Make a backup copy of the existing PROFILE EXEC and rename ZPXE REXX to PROFILE EXEC. Alternatively, call ZPXE REXX from the existing PROFILE EXEC by adding the 'ZPXE REXX' line to it.

The last step is to create a configuration file, ZPXE CONF that instructs ZPXE REXX which Cobbler server to contact and which disk to IPL. Run xedit zpxe conf a and create ZPXE CONF with the following content (replace the example data accordingly):

HOST cobbler.example.com
IPLDISK 600

This connects the Cobbler server next time you log in to the z/VM guest. If an installation is scheduled on the Cobbler server, it will be executed. To schedule the installation, run the following command on the Cobbler server:

cobbler system edit --name ID1 --netboot-enabled 12 --profile PROFILENAME3

Kernel and initrd of the installation system need to be copied to the VM Host Server to be able to IPL the VM Guest into the installation system.

To IPL the VM Guest, log in to the KVM host and run the following command:

virsh  create s12-1.xml --console

The installation process starts as soon as the VM Guest is up and running, and you should see the following message:

Domain s12-1 started
Connected to domain s12-1
Escape character is ^]
Initializing cgroup subsys cpuset
Initializing cgroup subsys cpu
Initializing
cgroup subsys cpuacct
.
.
Please make sure your installation medium is available.
Retry?
0) <-- Back <--
1) Yes
2) No

Answer 2) No and choose Installation on the next step. Proceed as described in Section 4.2.5.3, “Set Up the Network and Select the Installation Source”.