First off, i wonder where your lpp_source is. Didn't you use it to create the SPOT?
Second, i don't see where you allocated the NIM resources for the system you want to install. NIM is pretty selective about who to install and every resource you want to use for a client installation has to be "allocated" first (meaning that the client gets the permission to use it - once!).
Third, the "previous state = unavailable for use" is ok. It just means that the resource was newly created, its state
now is "ready for use", but the state before that was (naturally) different.
Finally i have to disencourage you: you didn't get a "step forward", because you should be able to use NIM without having to resort to such measures. Chances are that if you change these files you will effectively confuse NIM and once you get it running it still won't work because of your changes. (The same is true for manual changes on "/etc/exports", which is a common problem in malfunctioning NIM-setups.)
You might want to read the (very short) introduction to NIM concepts i wrote some time ago:
NIM-Introduction. For a more elaborate description get IBMs Redbooks (see
our list of AIX links) regarding NIM.
I hope this helps.
bakunin