Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 28, 2026

Network Installation Manager

Network Installation Manager (NIM) is an object-oriented system management framework on the IBM AIX operating system that installs and manages systems over a network. NIM is analogous to Kickstart in the Linux world. NIM is a client-server system in which a NIM server provides a boot image to client systems via the BOOTP and TFTP protocols. In addition to boot images, NIM can manage software updates and third-party applications. The SUMA command can be integrated with NIM to automate system updates from a central server and subsequent distribution to clients.

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May 28, 2026
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Network Installation Manager (NIM) is an object-oriented system management framework on the IBM AIX operating system that installs and manages systems over a network.123 NIM is analogous to Kickstart in the Linux world.4 NIM is a client-server system5 in which a NIM server provides a boot image to client systems via the BOOTP and TFTP protocols.6 In addition to boot images, NIM can manage software updates and third-party applications.7 The SUMA command can be integrated with NIM to automate system updates from a central server and subsequent distribution to clients.8

NIM data is organized into object classes and object types.9 Classes include machines, networks and resources while types refer to the kind of object within a class, e.g., script or image resources.

References

References

  1. "NIM from A to Z in AIX 5L" (PDF). IBM Redbooks. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  2. "Network Installation Management". www.ibm.com. IBM. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  3. Long, Lyle N.; Morris, Philip J.; Morooney, Kevin; Kellogg, Steve (December 1998). "The Teaching and Learning of High Performance Computing". Journal of Engineering Education. 87 (S5): 591–597. doi:10.1002/j.2168-9830.1998.tb00397.x. S2CID 108640218.
  4. Nemeth, Evi (2010). UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook. Pearson Education. p. 380. ISBN 9780131480056. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  5. Michael, Randal (2002-12-06). AIX 5L Administration. McGraw Hill Professional. p. 112. ISBN 9780072228410.
  6. Preston, W. Curtis (2007-01-03). Backup & Recovery: Inexpensive Backup Solutions for Open Systems. O'Reilly Media, Inc. p. 375. ISBN 9780596555047.
  7. Racherla, Sangam; Demarchi, Delmar; Dybas, Scott; Stark, Bobby; Syed, Mansoor; Redbooks, I. B. M. (2012-09-30). SAN Boot Implementation and Best Practices Guide for IBM System Storage. IBM Redbooks. p. 374. ISBN 9780738437064.
  8. Milberg, Kenneth (10 February 2016). "Integrating IBM AIX's NIM and SUMA". SearchITChannel. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  9. "unixwerk: NIM Commands". www.unixwerk.eu. Unixwerk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.