NIM
To list all the mksysb resources
# lsnim -t mksysb # lsnim -t spot
To list all the machines
# lsnim -t standalone
OR
# lsnim -c machines
To reset the NIM status of system host-10
# nim -o reset -a force=yes host-10
or
# nim -Fo reset host10
To Force Deallocate all the resources from system host-01
# nim -Fo deallocate -a subclass=all host-01
To rebuild the /etc/niminfo file in the master
# nimconfig -r
To rebuild the /etc/niminof file in the NIM client
# niminit -a master=<master_name> -a name=<client_machine_name>
To remove a machine from the NIM environment
# nim -o remove <machine_name>
To define a mksysb resource
# nim -o define -t mksysb -a server=master -a location=<location_of_mksysb_file> <mksysb_name>
To enable Base OS install in a client using mksysb resource
# nim -o bos_inst -a source=mksysb -a spot=spot_53ML4 -a accept_licenses=yes -a mksysb=<location_of_mksysb_file> <system_name>
To add additional software to lppsource1
# nim -o update -a packages=all source=/dev/cd0 lppsource1
To update the spot and lppsource to the latest level
# nim_update_all -l <lpp_sourcename> -s <spot_name> -d <localtion_of_filesets> -u -B
Some useful NIM SMIT Fast paths
smit nim_mkmac # Adding new machines smit nim_bosinst # For doing BOS install operation on a machine
Common NIM Error codes
608 - tftp retrieve of client info file failure
Action If a 608 hang is encountered, verify that the ClientName.info file exists in the /tftpboot directory. If it does not exist, retry the NIM operation to create it. If it does exist, verify that tftp access to the /tftpboot directory is not restricted in the /etc/tftpaccess.ctl file. is also possible that the network adapter was not configured properly in the boot environment
611 - Remote mount of NFS file system failure
Action 611 hangs occur when the client machine is unable to mount a resource from a server. Ensure that NFS is running on the resource server. Verify that the resources specified for the operation are exported properly by checking the /etc/exports and /etc/xtab files on the server. Also, confirm that the resources have permissions set correctly for reading.
613 - Failure setting up route tables
Action 613 hangs usually occur because a route is incorrectly defined for a network in the NIM database. Verify that the correct gateways are specified between networks, and all gateways are functional. Use debug-enabled network boot images to determine which routes could not be defined.
Migrating AIX to new versions USING NIM LIVE alt_disk_install
It can be done using nimadm command.
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/systems/index.jsp?topic=/com.ibm.aix.cmds/doc/aixcmds4/nimadm.htm
http://www.pseriestech.org/forum/tutorials/nim-server-and-client-operations-262.html