AIX: Prepare the operating system

AIX: Preparing the operating system

Prepare the operating system to ensure a successful installation.

If we have AIX 7.1 Technology Level (TL) 1, Service Pack (SP) 0 or 1, complete the steps in this technote.

Set the file descriptor limit to 10240.

ulimit -n 10240

If we are using IBM GPFS file sharing, set the file system inodes limit to 25000 or higher. For example, run the mmchfs /dev/gpfs1nsd -F 250000 command. /dev/gpfs1nsd is the IBM WebSphere Portal installation file system.

WCM only: Use the ulimit -f command to set the maximum size of files that can be created. Set the value to be at least the size of the largest file we must upload to the content server. Setting...
ulimit -f unlimited

...removes any limit on file size.

Install and configure X server on AIX (such as X Window System or GNOME) to use the graphical user interface the installation program provides.
To use a response file to install the software, X server is not required.

Increase the paging space from 1024 MB to 8192 MB.

To use the Work Load Partition (WPAR) software installed with the AIX operating system software:

Read and follow the guidelines in this technote to install in a WPAR.

Set up the host system with enough disk space.

Request new IP address and host name on the same subnet as the host system.

After you get the new IP address and host name, run the following command to create a WPAR containing a non-shared file system:
A non-shared file system means /usr and /opt are private to this new WPAR.
mkwpar -r -l -n newhostname

Verify the mkwpar task completed successfully.

Use the host system smitty to configure network interfaces with the new information.

Use the telnet or ssh command to connect and log in to the system.

Verify the /usr and /opt directories are writable.
The WPAR instance is now ready to install IBM Installation Manager and WebSphere Portal.

Parent AIX: Install WebSphere Portal and Web Content Manager
Next topic: AIX: Prepare the Installation Manager