AIX:Network Installation Manager

Terminology

Master

Master refers the machine where you set up and maintain your NIM environment. You can also initiate installations from here (push mode). It is the key piece of the NIM environment.

Client

The NIM client can be the target for NIM master-initiated operations such as installation, updates, and so forth (push mode). Also, a client can initiate its own installation or update (pull mode). A NIM client automatically becomes a resource server when it holds NIM resources.

Resource Server

Any machine (the master or a standalone client) can be configured by the master as a server for a particular software resource. In most environments, the master is also resource server. If other machines are already reporting to the master and they are installed (AIX), you can chose one of them to act as a resource server, thus relieving the NIM master of the heavy I/O load (disk and network). In such cases, the NIM master is only used to run administrative tasks.

Push and Pull modes

The push mode operation is initiated from the master. The pull mode operation is initiated from the client. The very first time a client is installed, only the pull mode can be used. Note the following points:

• In order for the push mode to be successful, the client must have a minimum AIX image already installed and TCP/IP configured.
• To use the pull mode, you need access to the clients’ SMS menu. For this you either need a console attached to the machine, or for HMC-managed systems, you need access to the HMC.

NIM Database

The NIM database is stored in the AIX Object Data Management (ODM) repository on the NIM master and is divided into four classes: machines, networks, resources, groups. These classes are listed in the following table:

The four NIM classes and their main used types

Machines	Network	Resources Groups
master	ent	lpp_source	mac_group
standalone	tok	spot	res_group
diskless	fddi	mksysb
dataless	atm	bosinst_data
alternate_master	generic	script
		image_data
		installp_bundle

Abbrevations

LPP	Licensed Program Product
ML	Maintenance Level
NIM	Network Installation Manager
SOE	Standard Operating Environment
SPOC	Single Point Of Control
TL	Technology Level

Literature

sg24-7296-00 NIM from A to Z in AIX5L