B2000 Configuration disk specific?

[mike moutz]

I have 6 B2000s identically equipped. I would like to completely configure 1 of them then copy the disk to another identical disk using a raid mirror. The mirrored disks will then be installed into the other B2000s. I have been informed by a software vendor that UNIX 10.20 compares some information about the B2000 stored on the disk and will not perform properly if the disk is not configured on the specific machine. Another instance would be???if a B2000 has a hardware issue (not the disk drive), I could replace it quickly by moving the disk drive from the failed machine to a replacement. Time is the critical issue. Any insight?

[rainer doelker · Accepted solution]

Hi,

at first, not supported but might work if the HW is identical. Could be that you need to remove the ioconfig (rm /etc/ioconfig /stand/ioconfig ) and reboot and do "ioinit -c; ioinit -i"

Why don't you use Ignite-ux?
http://www.software.hp.com/products/IUX/

regs, Rainer

[Vincent Farrugia]

Hello,

I would suggest using Ignite. That is much simpler to use, and no need to manually juggle disks around. All you need is a tape drive. Do an ignite backup from the first B2000 and restore to the rest of the B2000s. Simple. And it's Free!! Download it from the link given above.

HTH,
Vince

[Bill Hassell]

HP-UX doesn't compare anything, it simply assumes that the hardware (I/O cards, peripherals) are exactly the same. That means exactly as the kernel and the /dev directory were custom built for that machine when it was installed.

Save yourself a *LOT* of time and experimenation by downloading Ignite/UX and running make_tape_recovery to create a cloning tape. Then restore the tape onto each system and make any changes you want, or if no changes (like disk layout), then let it restore automatically, perhaps an hour per machine. Use:

make_tape_recovery -Iv -x inc_entire=/dev/dsk/vg00 -a /dev/rmt/0m

[PIYUSH D. PATEL]

Hi,

You should go for Ignite UX.

Piyush

[Shahul]

Hi

This is not suggested. It may work sometimes, It all up to ur luck. If H/W difference, it will not work at all. Better U install OS in both the bOXes seperately, then apply ur idea for data HDDs if U require.

Best of luck
Shahul

[Pete Randall]

Mike,

Ignite is obviously the safest, most reliable solution, but, having said that, I personally like your approach. It's *very* dependant on *absolutely* identical hardware and setup but the ability to recover just by slipping in a new drive would be incredibly quick and simple. I'd give it a try if you have the time. If you're pressed for time you should probably stick with the reliability of Ignite.

Good luck,
Pete

[Mark Landin]

Ignite *is* the safer bet, but any time you have part of your process as "insert the tape.." then you just killed yourself in a time-critical situation.

Rather than have a hot-standby disk (which may or may not take some ticklish work to make sure it could dropped successfully into ANY of your systems at a moment's notice...) perhaps it would be best to just have a complete hot spare B2000, already fully configured and booted? Depending on the application variance between the machines, it might be as fast as a simple "rdist" or "swinstall" to get the hot spare into "production" mode, and I would bet an rdist is going to be faster than opening the dead box and replacing a disk drive (and crossing your fingers that it's actually going to boot and run successfully).

[MANOJ SRIVASTAVA]

Mike

Infact you can just configure a disk wih just loading the OS and not configuring it , and keep it with you so in case when you ahve triuble just push the disk and boot the amchine adn configure it . All you would need is to have a good doumentation or a tape which ahs the configuration of the users, file systems , etc .

Ignite wil be helpful if the root disk is fine , in case the root disk goes bad you will any way have to repalce it.


Manoj Srivastava