Until recently, if you were configuring a new LPAR with virtual FC adapters you couldnt force it to log into the SAN before an operating system (such as AIX) was installed. Ive written about this before (see link below). I also offered a way to work around this issue.
As mentioned in my post, there are new HMC commands to force a new LPAR to connect to the SAN, so that SAN administrators can zone storage to the new WWPN(s).
Theres also another method available in the Power Systems SMS menu.
In recent levels of POWER systems firmware, there is a new option in the SMS menu called SAN Zoning Support. Youll find it mentioned here:
Ive successfully used this method on both POWER6 (595) and POWER7 (795) systems. After configuring a new LPAR profile with a single VFC adapter, the VIOS reported that the client was not logged into the SAN:
$ lsmap -vadapter vfchost41 -npiv
Name Physloc ClntID ClntName ClntOS
------------- ---------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------
vfchost41 U9119.FHA.99D99C1-V2-C199 99
Status:NOT_LOGGED_IN
FC name:fcs4 FC loc code:U5803.001.9912345-P2-C5-T1
Ports logged in:0
Flags:4<NOT_LOGGED>
VFC client name: VFC client DRC:
I forced this event by booting into SMS and selecting 5 (Boot Options).
PowerPC Firmware
Version EH350_120
SMS 1.7 (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2008 All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Menu
1. Select Language
2. Setup Remote IPL (Initial Program Load)
3. Change SCSI Settings
4. Select Console
5. Select Boot Options
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navigation Keys:
X = eXit System Management Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type menu item number and press Enter or select Navigation key:5
Then I selected 4 (SAN Zoning Support).
PowerPC Firmware
Version EH350_120
SMS 1.7 (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2008 All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multiboot
1. Select Install/Boot Device
2. Configure Boot Device Order
3. Multiboot Startup <OFF>
4. SAN Zoning Support
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navigation keys:
M = return to Main Menu
ESC key = return to previous screen X = eXit System Management Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type menu item number and press Enter or select Navigation key:4
Next I choose the appropriate VFC adapter Id like to connect on the SAN at this time.
PowerPC Firmware
Version EH350_120
SMS 1.7 (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2008 All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Media Adapter
1. U9119.FHA.83D99C3-V99-C20-T1 /vdevice/vfc-client@30000014
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navigation keys:
M = return to Main Menu
ESC key = return to previous screen X = eXit System Management Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type menu item number and press Enter or select Navigation key:1
A message appears stating that it may now be possible to perform SAN zoning to the adapters WWPN.
.-----------------------------------------------------------------------.
| The selected adapter has been opened. |
| Zoning of attached disks may now be possible. |
| Press any key to close the adapter and return to the previous menu. |
`-----------------------------------------------------------------------'
On the VIOS I observed the client vfchost adapter status changed to LOGGED_IN.
$ lsmap -vadapter vfchost41 -npiv
Name Physloc ClntID ClntName ClntOS
------------- ---------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------
vfchost41 U9119.FHA.99D99C1-V2-C199 99 aixlpar1 FIRMWARE
Status:LOGGED_IN
FC name:fcs4 FC loc code:U5803.001.9912345-P2-C5-T1
Ports logged in:1
Flags:a<LOGGED_IN,STRIP_MERGE>
VFC client name:Virtual Fibre Channel - Firmware driverVFC client DRC:U9119.FHA.83D99C3-V99-C20
It appears that the new SMS option is simply an interface to the Open Firmware Prompt and the IOINFO command. This was how we performed the task without the SMS menu in front:
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/wikis/display/virtualization/vfclogin
So far Ive found this new SMS option on POWER7 795 systems running firmware level AH730_078 and POWER6 595 systems running EH350_120.