Getting Help

RPM packages from the AIX Toolbox are not supported through traditional IBM AIX support. However, assistance is available through the IBM AIX Open Source Community Discussion forum, which can lend assistance for such things as installing or configuring packages, possible package defects, understanding error messages from attempts to install or configure a package, security vulnerabilities found in a particular RPM, and dependency issues with a package from the Toolbox site. A number of blog posts and videos are also useful [11]-[14]. Visit the forum [15] and the official documentation for the Toolbox [16] to learn more. The site provides vital information relating to the Toolbox. The website has several tabs at the top of the page (Figure 6), which I encourage you to review at your leisure.

Figure 6: GNU and open source tools for AIX.

If you're interested in some best practices advice on planning and maintaining the AIX Toolbox packages [17] or if you're looking for recommendations on AIX $LIBPATH settings with Toolbox packages [18], I highly recommend you review the links in the Info section. Also, if you're in need of a solution that removes all the installed RPMs from your AIX system so you can perform a clean installation of DNF (which can sometimes be required on decades old AIX systems that have been gradually migrated to more recent versions of AIX), again, check the links for some tips and tricks – in particular, the destroyRPMS script [19]; however, make a backup first, please!.

Conclusion

My hope is that this article, although introductory, has shown you how to embrace the power and flexibility of open source software across your entire AIX landscape. IBM is invested in the AIX Toolbox, with dedicated developers working to create and update various OSS packages that are freely available to everyone. To learn more, take a look at the online self-paced virtual course [20]. This class will teach you how to install and manage open source software on AIX (with DNF) and give you hands-on access to a real AIX lab environment where you can implement what you've learned.

The Author

Chris Gibson is a technical specialist for the IBM Power Technical Training team. He creates technical training content for IBM Power, AIX, and PowerVM. Over his 25 years of working with AIX (as an administrator, consultant, instructor, presenter, speaker, blogger, and content creator), Chris has written and published many technical articles and has co-authored several IBM Redbooks on IBM AIX and Power. Chris resides in Melbourne, Australia. You can stay in touch by following his blog at http://gibsonnet.net/blog/cgaix/ or from his Linkedin account, https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-gibson-9921253/.