Create a network server description and a network server storage space

A network server description (NWSD) is used to give a name to the configuration, provide an interface for starting and stopping a Linux partition, and provide a link between Linux and its virtual disks.

The default or suggested parameter values are provided within the parentheses. These settings are only relevant to a logical partition. Refer to NWSD parameter and description if you need any information on parameter descriptions.
The following steps will create a virtual disk for a logical partition running Linux:
  1. At the i5/OS® command line on the host partition, type CRTNWSD and press F4 for prompts.
  2. From the Create Network Server Description display, provide the following information:
    • NWSD (Provide a name for the NWSD)
    • RSRCNAME (*NONE). TYPE (*GUEST)
    • ONLINE (*NO or *YES)
    • PARTITION (Provide name of the Linux partition)
    • CODEPAGE (437)
    • TCPPORTCFG (*NONE)
    • RSTDDEVRSC (for virtual CD and tape devices) (*NONE)
    • SYNCTIME (*TYPE)
    • IPLSRC (*NWSSTG)
    Attention: To start an NWSD with a kernel from a stream file, set the IPLSRC parameter to *STMF and set the IPLPATH parameter to point to the kernel. This will only load the kernel. Once the kernel is running, it will need to find a root file system. In an initial installation, the root file system might be a RAM disk that is physically attached to the kernel.

    It is possible to store a kernel in a partition of an NWSSTG and start from there. The NWSSTG must have a partition type "PReP Boot" (type0x41) marked as startable.

    • IPLSTMF (*NONE)
    Attention: This is the file to load from if you specify that the kernel start from a stream file. You must have read access to the file and the path leading to the file to use the vary on command.
    • IPLPARM (*NONE)
  3. From the Work with Network Server Storage Spaces (WRKNWSSTG) select option 1 (Create Network Server Storage Space), press Enter.
  4. Provide the following information:
    • NWSSTG (Name)
    • NWSSIZE (Refer to the installation documentation of your preferred Linux distributor)
    • FROMNWSSTG (*NONE)
    • FORMAT (*OPEN)
  5. Press Enter.
    Attention: A network server storage space can be as large as 64 GB for a single storage space. A maximum of 48 storage spaces can be linked to a server.
  6. Select option 10 (Add link) next to the storage space that you just created and press Enter, Add Server Storage Link (ADDNWSSTGL), and provide the following information:
    • NWSSTG (Name)
    • NWSD (Name)
    • DYNAMIC (*YES)
    • DRVSEQNBR (*CALC)