Requirements for virtual optical storage within a Network File System network

Server requirements for sharing virtual optical images

To share virtual optical images through a network, the server must meet the following requirements:

• The server must be able to share virtual optical images using version 3 or later of the Network File System (NFS).
• A volume list (VOLUME_LIST) file containing the list of images to be loaded in the virtual optical device must exist in the image catalog directory. The VFYIMGCLG command is used to create the volume list file from the image catalog containing the images you want to share. Following is an example of the command:
  • VFYIMGCLG IMGCLG(PUBS) TYPE(*OTHER) NFSSHR(*YES)
  Note: The image catalog used must have an image catalog path name that is limited to 127 characters. Path name characters are limited to A-Z, a-z, 0-9, and / (slash). Each image file name is limited to 127 characters.
• A volume list has the following characteristics:
  • Must be called VOLUME_LIST
  • Each line is either an image file name or a comment
  • ASCII format
  • All entries are ended by the end of a line.
  • All characters following the pound sign '#' are considered comments until the end of the line
  • Comments can be added after # and must be followed by a EOL character
  • Provides the order that the image files will be processed on the client system
  • File names are limited to 127 characters
  • Can be created with the Verify Image Catalog Entry (VFYIMGCLG) with the NFSSHR(*YES) parameter or manually by using a ASCII editor
  • No tabs or line feeds can be used in the path name

Client system requirements for sharing virtual optical images

To share virtual optical images through a network, the client system must meet the following requirements:

The 632B-003 optical device is created by using the Create Device Description Optical (CRTDEVOPT) command. The client must meet the following requirements.

• Either a service tools server or a LAN console connection must be configured
• The Internet Protocol (IP) must be Version 4
• Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) is required for installation and upgrade of IBM® i