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Server Automation
Server Automation provides powerful automation. You can use it to sequence automation actions in steps across multiple endpoints.
Virtualization
Virtualization is a software technology that allows multiple operating systems to run on the same host computer at the same time. Additional uses of virtualization include the quick creation of new systems for testing, training, and demonstration. Using virtualized computers saves the cost of hardware, management, and administration of the server infrastructure.
AIX® NIM
You can setup and configure management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM. You can then create and remove NIM Clients and Mksysb images on a NIM master server from within the BigFix console.
Setup and Maintenance
Use the information in this section for instructions and important information about how to set up the virtualization environment for AIX® NIM.
Deploying a management extender
Using the Deploy Management Extender for AIX NIM task, you can deploy the management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM.

Server Automation
Server Automation provides powerful automation. You can use it to sequence automation actions in steps across multiple endpoints.
- Overview
  BigFix Lifecycle Server Automation provides you with the capability to automate provisioning workflows. You can automate a sequence of Fixlets, Tasks, and Baselines across different endpoints, such as servers or computers. Server Automation exploits the agility and scalability of BigFix to deliver powerful functionality in a lean and efficient manner, with minimal impact on your network.
- Automation
  BigFix Lifecycle Server Automation provides you with technology to sequence actions, such as the deployment of Fixlets, across multiple endpoints. To sequence automation, you create an Automation Plan. Your Automation Plan contains all of the actions for your end-to-end automation sequence.
- Virtualization
  Virtualization is a software technology that allows multiple operating systems to run on the same host computer at the same time. Additional uses of virtualization include the quick creation of new systems for testing, training, and demonstration. Using virtualized computers saves the cost of hardware, management, and administration of the server infrastructure.
  - VMware
    You can deploy and configure a management extender plug-in for VMware. You can then manage VMware virtual machines from within BigFix the console.
  - AIX® NIM
    You can setup and configure management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM. You can then create and remove NIM Clients and Mksysb images on a NIM master server from within the BigFix console.
    - Setup and Maintenance
      Use the information in this section for instructions and important information about how to set up the virtualization environment for AIX® NIM.
      - Deploying a management extender
        Using the Deploy Management Extender for AIX NIM task, you can deploy the management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM.
      - Configuring a management extender
        Using the Configure Management Extender for AIX NIM task, you can configure a management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM.
      - Upgrading a management extender
        Using the Upgrade Management Extender for AIX NIM Plugin task, you can upgrade a management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM.
      - Removing a management extender
        Using the Remove Management Extender for AIX NIM task, you can remove the management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM.
    - AIX® NIM Tasks
      Use the following section to find information about how to create and remote NIM Clients on a NIM master server. You can also create a Mksysb image on a NIM server. These tasks are run on the AIX® NIM server.
  - PowerVM®
    You can deploy and configure a management extender plug-in for PowerVM®. You can then manage PowerVM logical partitions (LPARs) from within the BigFix console.
  - Management Extender Log Viewer
    The Management Extender Log Viewer dashboard provides information about each Virtualization task that you run. In the dashboard, you can view a high-level overview of the action logs. Each log entry contains a link to where you can find the original action window. Each entry also contains a link to the log file.
  - Turning off validation in a task
    Some of the Virtualization Tasks within the Server Automation domain contain a Validation button which you can use to disable validation and enter your own data for some of the parameters.
- Configuring your system
  This section describes how the BigFix architecture is relevant for Server Automation. It also describes how Server Automation can affect BigFix performance.
- Sample Automation Plans
  Server Automation is shipped with a number of sample Automation Plans that you can run out of the box. To run these Automation Plans out of the box, ensure that the Fixlets contained in them are available. Typically, you would substitute some of the Fixlets contained in these samples with particular Fixlets that you want to run. Use the information in each of the following sections to find out more about each of the sample plans.
- Server Automation content
  Server Automation provides content that you can use to automate processes and software deployment.

Deploying an AIX® NIM management extender

Using the Deploy Management Extender for AIX NIM task, you can deploy the management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM.

Before you begin

Important: Before you install the management extender plug-in, you must install the latest version of the proxy agent with a separate Fixlet®. In the BES Support site, run the latest version of the Install Proxy Agent Fixlet® to install the proxy agent.

You must activate the following analysis:

Management Extender Status

To activate the analysis, navigate to the Domain Panel of the Server Automation domain and select Virtualization > Management Extender Analyses. In the Management Extender Analyses list, select Management Extender Status and click Activate.

About this task

If you want to create or remove NIM Clients, netboot logical partitions (LPARs), or create a Mksysb image, you must deploy and configure the management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM.

Procedure

Open the Server Automation domain.
In the Domain Panel of the Server Automation domain, select Virtualization > > AIX NIM > Setup and Maintenance > Deploy AIX NIM Components and select the Deploy Management Extender for AIX NIM task.
From the Management Extender Host list, select the host on which you want to deploy the management extender.
In the Management Extender Plug-in Name field, enter a name for the AIX® NIM management extender that is 32 characters or less. You cannot create a name with the following characters *?<>\/:| or enter spaces. You must enter a unique name for every plug-in that you deploy to the BigFix server.
Click Take action. In the Take Action dialog box, select the management extender host on which you want to deploy a management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM and click OK.

Results

In the Action: Management Extender for AIX NIM window, you can view the progress of the action. When the Status changes to Complete, the management extender plug-in for AIX® NIM is deployed.