[FASherman]

I'm asked this question all the time. First, lets remember that while IBM wants us to think of virtual I/O servers are appliances, they are still AIX 5 servers.

When you initially login, you use the padmin user account and then you have a very limited VIOS command set. But you can get around that and gain root acccess within AIX simply by entering the command oem_setup_env.

Let me caution you now that you should only install software that make managing the virtual I/O environment easier. For example, you can install OpenSSH for access. You can unstall SDD or PowerPath for multipathing if your VIO server is connected to SAN storage.

I wouldn't install an apache webserver on you VIO server, because it won't help you manage the server. Nor would I install a TSM or NetBackup client on it.

Stick with best practices. Keep it simple, keep it clean. Your VIO server needs as much memory and CPU as you give it to perform its very specialized tasks. Install what you need, but don't try to install any more than that.

[camypaj]

Anyone tried to install apc ups deamon for automated shutdown or power loss?
My OpenPower 710 server won't power on after power outage, even if a PowerOn option in HMC is on AutoStart.
I have 2 Fedora PPC clients, and a RHEL clients. I managed to install apcupsd clients on all of them, so they are turned off normally. The only problem is vios, and of course the server itself. If I understand correctly, it will power itself off after all partitions are down (never tested it though).

Sorry for my rusty English