Temporary Virtual Network for LPAR Image Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for installing, restoring, and backing up applications across logically partitioned servers are time-consuming and costly, requiring a network installation manager (NIM) setup with significant configuration overhead and resource requirements.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for automatically propagating application images across logically partitioned computer systems without a pre-configured network, using temporary virtual IP and MAC addresses to create a temporary inter-LPAR network for installation, and then assigning physical addresses, allowing for mass network installation with minimal installer configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a NIM master is configured to propagate application images across LPARs, then installation capability is improved, but device complexity and configuration overhead increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication installation capabilityVSAvoidNIM master configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting available LPARs and establishing temporary virtual network connections without requiring manual NIM master setup. The installation process is automated through bootable media that contains embedded installation capabilities, eliminating the need for complex pre-configuration of NIM resources such as lpp_source, SPOT, and mksysb.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A temporary virtual network acts as an intermediary between the installation media and target LPARs, enabling image propagation without a permanent NIM master infrastructure. This temporary network is automatically created during the installation process and removed afterward, providing the necessary communication channel without permanent complex infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a pre-configured network with NIM resources is established, then reliable image propagation is achieved, but loss of time for setup and configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage propagation reliabilityVSAvoidsetup and configuration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

All necessary installation resources and configurations are prepared in advance on the bootable installation media itself, rather than requiring pre-configuration of a NIM master. The media contains embedded installation capabilities and resource definitions that are immediately available when the media is booted, eliminating setup time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The NIM master functionality and resources are extracted from the infrastructure and embedded directly into the bootable installation media. This allows the installation process to be self-contained and portable, eliminating the need for pre-configured network infrastructure while maintaining all necessary installation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple LPARs are installed using conventional methods, then system coverage is improved, but loss of time for installation and backup operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of LPARs installedVSAvoidinstallation and backup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple LPAR installation operations are merged into a single automated process that runs simultaneously across all target LPARs. The bootable media initiates installation on multiple systems in parallel through the temporary virtual network, and backup operations are similarly consolidated, dramatically reducing the total time required to service multiple LPARs compared to sequential conventional methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The installation and backup processes run continuously across all target LPARs without interruption or manual intervention. The automated system maintains continuous operation from initial media boot through complete installation and backup, eliminating downtime and idle periods that occur with manual conventional methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8495623B2System and method for network image propagation without a predefined network

Publication Date: 2013.07.23 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A system and method for network image propagation without a predefined network advantageously allows customers to automatically perform several system BOS installation or mksysb restoration over a virtual network with no predefined network and minimal installer configuration overhead. A method for network image propagation comprises: identifying a plurality of logical partitions residing in the logically partitioned terminal; configuring a temporary virtual network to connect said plurality of logical partitions to each other, wherein each one of the logical partitions is assigned at least one of a virtual Internet Protocol (IP) address and a virtual Media Access Control (MAC) address; installing an application image on at least one of the logical partitions via the temporary virtual network; deconfiguring the temporary virtual network; and assigning at least one of a physical IP address and a physical MAC address to said at least one logical partition on which the application has been installed.