changing "machine ID number"?

[Paul Tibbitts]

Is possible to change the machine ID number (uname -i) of 9000 servers?

I am aware that HP techs can do this with their diagnostic software when they replace parts. But my customer's 3rd-party HP9000 support vendor says this is strictly an HP-only capability and that they have to pay HP to do it when required. The customer had planned to have the 3rd party support guys do some hardware swapping, and I just assumed this would be one of their capabilities.

These are older K-class boxes - no issues of HP support (h/w or s/w) or warranties here.

Surely there must be another way...

Thanks

Paul

[Patrick Wallek · Accepted solution]

This is an HP-only capability as far as I know. It is usually not done unless an MB has been replaced on a system and resulted in the machine id changing.

[melvyn burnard]

This is an HP only function, 3rd party support companies do not have the capability to do this.

[A. Clay Stephenson]

The program is called ss_config and only HP employees are supposed to have it. I have heard of a few cases when unauthorized persons actually possessed it but the bottom line is that you made a false assumption.

[Andrew Rutter]

hi paul,

The others are correct. This is a HP only utility called ssconfig for changing model strings and firmware updates.
It does depend upon the server though, as some change when the dipswitch setting are changed for the different processors speeds
k400/k410/k420 all share the same backplane but seem to remember been told that the model string changes depending upon the switch settings.
The K380 and K580 though for example share the same backplane aswell, but have the same speed CPU's but other differences in the configs, different software tier levels, so this one need to be done by the ssconfig utility(hp)as its classed as an upgrade really.
I also have heard of third parties using ssconfig and been sued for $millions for the privelidge
Bottom line is dont risk it, replace with a used part guaranteed from the same server, thus having same model string or pay HP. Used ones will have a different unique identifyer though that can cause problems with certain custom licensed software

Andy

[Bill Hassell]

As mentioned, ss_config is a proprietary HP service tool and no, a third party service company cannot obtain this tool without a lengthy set of requyirements and legal liability issues. Uhhh, K-class boxes (and D-class and F,G,H,I series) all have support issues. They might be running 10.20 or earlier, but changing the machine ID number will bypass software licensing agreements that HP has with many vendors. One of the many things that can be subverted with ss_config is not only the software ID number but the model of the computer which includes CPU speed and quantity of processors. So an unscrupulous service tech could clone a box ID so copies of licensed software could be run on additional boxes, and even change the model so a high performance machine (a K580 for instance) appears to be a lowly K100 and therefore licensing fees could be signifcantly less.

Note that D's and K's can run 11.11 and the machine ID is stored in the processor NVRAM, so reselling an improperly ID'ed machine would not make HP happy at all, even if it is an older box. The only legitimate use of ss_config is to match the ID on a replacement processor board and return the defective board to HP for repair.

[Paul Tibbitts]

Thanks to all for the replies. I will clarify the reason for wanting to change the ID:

The customer has two identical K-class boxes with identical HP-UX licenses. One has always been reliable; one has been very unreliable, and periodically "eats" replacement parts (CPUs, etc.) for reasons no one has been able to determine. Some of the application software on the less reliable machine uses the ID in its license configuration. The customer is retiring the more reliable computer from its current use, and would like to simply swap hard drives and call it a day, with no software changes. It seems that the most efficient means to accomplish this would to change the ID number. In fact, they would then have a truly *identical* on-site spare that could be swapped in with no software changes.

I suspect much of the excitement in some of the previous posts stems from the situation where, if I recall correctly, a well known used HP equipment reseller "converted" 9000s to 3000s. Changing any form of ID using unlicensed HP software would be wrong, as would using a new ID to circumvent software licensing requirements. But I'm still not seeing the violation involved in changing it for the purpose I described, assuming you can figure out how, without any illegal use of HP software - which was the point of my post. Of course, license agreements are as long as they are for a reason, so maybe it's buried in there somewhere.

As for my assumption about the 3rd party provider, I suspect most customers don't know their 3rd party hardware service provider has this handicap, which seems pretty serious with regard to the legitimate replacement use for this process. It would be like taking your car to an independent shop to fix a problem, then have the shop have to call in a dealer mechanic to reset the idiot light. I didn't check to see if they were allowed to use screwdrivers either, I just *assumed*... They have provided good support with other issues, however. My other customers with HPs have had HP service.

Paul

[Patrick Wallek]

Some software vendors will allow you transfer the software license from one machine to another for little, or no, cost. You really should check with the software vendor about transferring the license to another machine before going the route of trying to change the machine's ID number.

You should also check with the vendor about temporary DR type licenses. If one machine dies completely, then you can invoke the DR license to get the software up and running on the other machine.

[Paul Tibbitts]

Thanks, I hadn't about the DR licenses. There is, I believe, no cost to transfer the licenses; it's just a matter of convenience.

I was just accustomed to HP techs changing the machine ID when replacing boards, and thus figured it was no big deal - seemed like it just took a couple of minutes. I figured that since the customer was paying for their provider to come in swap the hardware around anyway, it would be no big deal.

Paul

[A. Clay Stephenson]

Things might not be so bleak in that many licensing schemes use the MAC address of the built-in LAN. If this is the case with your licensing software then you can edit /etc/rc.config.d/hpetherconf and assign the old box's hardware address that is nomally left blank --- in which case the actual MAC address is used.