The Command Line Isn’t for Everyone

Edit: This topic still comes up with new users.

Originally posted November 15, 2011 on AIXchange

As much as I rely on the VIO server, I understand that the command-line interface takes some getting used to for those who are new to it. This is especially true for anyone coming from a non-UNIX background (e.g., IBM i). Although IBM uses similar syntax (verb noun) between some AIX and IBM i commands, usage can be quite different.

Recently when I was showing some IBM i users how to map disks in VIOS, one asked why I just didn’t use the GUI. It turned out that he’d been shown a powerful tool that I wasn’t aware of.

Have you ever checked the “configuration/virtual resources” option on your HMC menu?

When you select the Virtual Storage Management option under Virtual Resources, you get a screen where you can choose the VIOS you want to work with.

Once you do that, select “Query VIOS” to view the storage details from your VIOS.

The Optical Devices tab provides views of your physical DVD drive (if attached to that VIOS) and the *.iso images in your media repository (if any). Other tabs have additional information, but in most cases I’m primarily interested in physical volumes, as I typically map whole LUNs to client LPARs. 

The Physical Volumes tab lists the disks that your VIOS can manage.

By clicking the appropriate radio button to choose a disk and then selecting modify assignment, you can choose the parititon you want to assign your disk to. Using this method, the mkvdev command runs under the covers, eliminating the need to use the command line.

This interface can also tell you which disks are assigned to which partition, and how large the partitions are.

Although many of us AIX pros are comfortable with the command line and would never consider using a GUI, there are instances where it’s helpful–particularly if your IT department has admins who cut their teeth on something other than UNIX. You never know when you may need to teach someone how to map their disks. They just might catch on better with a GUI as opposed to a command line.