Installing HP-UX vPars

[Abdul Salam H S_1]

Hello,

I am going to setup vPars in my L3000 server with 2 virtual partitions.I dont have an ignite Installation server .Hence I'll be using the local DVD drive for installing OS on both partitions.

(I got little bit confused reading the guide "Installing and Managing vPars", which talks about using Ignite UX server for installation.)

Can someone help me with my queries?
Like :
1.When OS is to be installed for the second virtual partition.( Before installing vPars software on the first partition or after that?)

2.Is the vPars bundle to be installed on both partitions separately ?

It will be greatly appreciated, if someone can give me the step-by-step procedure.


Also, I need to know, Is it possible to have recovery tapes for both partitions without having an Ignite-UX server?


Thanks and Best Regards,

Abdul Salam

[Stefan Farrelly · Accepted solution]

1. You dont need ignite. You can ignore that part. You only use ignite if you install 1 copy of the OS then ignite back it up which you then use to isntall the OS on a 2nd disk.
We chose to install the OS from CD on 2 separate disks before installing vpars.

2. You install the Vpar software on both OS installations, yes, as it needs a daemon running on both which is how co-ordination is done between mutiple vpars running at the same time.

So this is what we did;
1. install OS from CD on disk 1.
2. install OS from CD on disk 2 (on a different bus than in 1.)
3. install vpar software on OS 1, then on OS 2. (have to boot up OS 1 first, then reboot to OS 2 to install on here).
4. configure vpar on OS 1. This now creates a /stand/vpar file which you boot off from now on.
5. configure your vpar as per the manual - too many steps to list here, the manual is quite good.

The vpar software we have installed is a few items - if you choose to download from www.software.hp.com (recommended) it lists the few bundles needed - download each.

[Jean-Louis Phelix]

Hi,

A vpar is only a standard system which can be managed by a virtual monitor (vpmon), so you can always boot a system having vpar installed with or without it active, the only difference is in ISL boot string : 'hpux' if you don't want to use vpars or 'hpux /stand/vpmon' if you want to use it.

So, in your case, if you don't want to use an ignite server (you should because it's really much simplier and faster), you'll have to install your OS on the first vpar disk (2 reboots) then install T1335AC (2 reboots). Then do the same thing for second vpar on another disk.

When this will be done, system will still be booted on a regular /stand/vmunix kernel, but you will be able to use vpar commands to create your vpars (vparcreate, ...).

Finally, modify your AUTO file using mkboot -a to change the boot string from "hpux" to "hpux /stand/vpmon" and reboot.

You will then reach the 'MON>' prompt and be able to boot any of your vpars using vparload.

Concerning backups, only make_net_recovery is supported, so you will have anyway to install an ignite server ...

Regards.

[Ravi_8]

Hi, Abdul

when i had discussion with HP technical guys about vpar. he told me that we can't share the single DVD drive across the vpartitions online
(DVD can be connected by shutting down that partition, connect the DVD and restart that partition).

one more thing that i heard is vpar can be setup on L4000, but i don't think so vpar can be setup on L3000 (check with HP).

1. Unless you install vPar s/w you can't create second partition
2.No

check out this URL:
http://www.hp.com/products1/unix/operating/manageability/partitions/library/
index.html

[harry d brown jr]

I built six partitions on an N-class server by first installing the OS and vpars, then created a make_tape_recovery using the options "-A -i". I then rebooted the server and interrupted the boot process and booted from tape (the make_tape_recovery tape), and interactively changed the install disks, lan card, blah blah blah. I really think that Stefan's way is faster, because screwing around with the lan cards is quite complicated.

This is what you should do AFTER you install the first OS (print/save them somewhere else other than the server you are installing on):

ioscan -fn
print_manifest

Then map out what the SECOND vpar is getting for devices: lan card, scsi cards, disk drives, ... Make sure both are connected to a network. And remember that each vpar MUST have seperate IO cards, you can not share cards or internal bus's.

live free or die
harry

[Jean-Louis Phelix]

Ravi,

You can't share any lba (so can't share DVD) when Vpars are active, but when Abdul serialize installations on his disks he can use the DVD on any as long as vpars are not booted.

You can create all of your vpars with only the first one installed. It only a matter of assigning lbas to vpars, but at this level you don't care if an OS is already installed on other vpars. You just need the product to access vpar commands needed to create the vpdb which will only be used by vpmon at next "vpar active" reboot (I mean 'hpux /stand/vpmon').

Last, vpars are supported on L3000.

Regards.

[harry d brown jr]

Ravi,

You are right that when you have vpar's running you can not share a device, like a DVD, you can't even share IO cards, but when you are building a vpars machine you usually don't have the vpmon (vpars monitor - you have hpux) running, so the partition you are building has ALL of the devices available to it.

It will work on an L3000, no problem.

1. if you install the OS on disk1, shutdown then install an OS on disk2, then install vpars on disk2 (and configure a vpdb), shutdown, then install vpars on disk1 (and configure a vpdb), shutdown and then boot using "vpmon" instead of "hpux" it will work.

2. Yes, you HAVE to install the vpars software on EACH partition. They are basically PATCHES to the kernel and OS, plus the addition of a daemon and other software for vpars.


live free or die
harry

[Abdul Salam H S_1]

Hello,

Thank you all for your quick responses!

One more query:

Currently, I have only one HP-UX server (which is going to be the vPar system) at this site. So, whether make_net_recovery is practically possible? Or will it work if I make OS images from the individual partitions using make_tape_recovery and restore it back, in case one of them crashes as vpdb is stored in /stand of each partitions?


Thanks and Best Regards,

Abdul Salam

[Stefan Farrelly]

1. With only one HP server you cant use make_net_recovery.

2. if you only have one CD/DVD and DDS drive you can still get your vpar server installed/backed up by physically moving these drives to a controller on each vpar - but you cant share them at the same time. We did this with the CD to install them and later with the DDS drive to make ignite backups of them.

[Abdul Salam H S_1]

Hello,

I have 2 DLTs and 2 DVDs which will be installed on separate buses.

Thanks to all of you for your valuable help!

I'll be doing this in fisrt week of Jan '03. I wanted to be fully prepared, before I start the job (as I usually do!) because the system is already in production and I have just 3 days for the upgrades (additional controllers SCSI & LAN, external storage boxes,disks,DLT devices, etc)and vPars implementation.

Will write to you once this job is done successfully


With Best Regards,

Abdul Salam