I think, first an explanation what this "altinst_rootvg" is is in order:
When you are updating AIX there is always a non-zero chance of something going wrong so that you may want to roll back. With AIX 5.2 (IIRC - not sure about that) IBM introduced the "alternate disk installation". First, here is the principle:
- you start with a mirrored rootvg, where you have two disks. Each holding one mirror.
- you break up the mirror so that you have two identical copies
- then you update one with the new version while retaining the other as it is
- if everything goes right, the second (not updated) mirror is remirrored from the updated one so that you have a mirrored rootvg again (new version)
- if something goes wrong, reboot from the not-updated original, remirror the updated one from this so that you have a mirrored rootvg again (old version)
OK, with this in mind: notice that you first need to remove any installed emergency fixes before you update. Second, you do NOT do what i described above by hand! You use the adequate commands:
alt_disk_install,
alt_disk_copy, etc.. Read up on them before you attempt any update using them! There are options to
alt_disk_install to create/remove the rootvg copies. Use only these, do NOT doctor with what the commands have created. Here is a
link with the procedure.
Also notice that your NIM-server should ALWAYS be higher than or at least at the same level as your highest system. A NIM server with AIX 6.1 can only serve clients up to 6.1 and todays this means it is almost useless (AIX 6.1 is out of support in a few weeks). Your NIM-server should right now be at AIX 7.2 latest TL, even if the rest of your environment is 7.1 (which, btw., i think is a good idea). You can always serve clients below the NIMs level but never above.
I hope this helps.
bakunin