is is possible to change a server from runnig 64 bits to 32 bits.

[Fernando Acevedo]

I have a server HP 9000 N4000 with HP-UX 11.00 running at 64 bits. The question is, is there a way to change it to run at 32 bits?, or it is possible to install another version of HP-UX let say 10.20 and get this server running at 32 bits?.

thanks a lot.

[Patrick Wallek · Accepted solution]

Nope, it is not possible with an N4000. The N4000 is a 64-bit only machine and supports only HP-UX 11.0 and higher.

Why do you need 32-bit HP-UX on this machine? 64-bit HP-UX can typically run 32-bit programs without any problems at all. If you need to compile a program as 32-bit, it can still be done. You have to specify different flags for the compiler to tell it to compile 32-bit.

[Steven E. Protter]

The generally accepted procedure in this instance is to reinatall the OS.

update/ux may be able to handle 32 to 64 but I would not try it.

All the newer hardware is 64 bit only and you have no choice but to run that way.

The good part is 32 bit software works on it just fine.

For almost any eventuality leaving the box 64 bit is a better way to go.

SEP

[John Poff]

Hi,

We accidentally installed an 11.00 system as 32-bit once when it was supposed to be 64-bit. We talked to HP about converting it but it turned out to be pretty much impossible once you have some packages installed on it, so your best bet is to reinstall.

Here is a link to a table that shows which bitness of HP-UX will run on which systems:

http://devrsrc1.external.hp.com/STK/serversupport.html

JP

[Bill Hassell]

HP-UX 32bit will simply not install on an N4000. The initial loader determines the hardware's capability (you can too, type the command: getconf HW_CPU_SUPP_BITS). If the hardware does not support a 32bit kernel, then the question about 32/64 is never asked. It is also impossible to install 10.20 on this machine.

Usually these questions come up because of an application that is not being supported properly. If an application is supposed to run on HP-UX, then the manufacturer would know about 64 versus 32 bit kernels, and the fact that a 32bit app will run on a 64bit kernel. If the app fails, it is usually due to programming errors, or worse, the program has never been tested on 'new' hardware and opsystems. I put 'new' in quotes because the first 64bit kernel was released in Nov 1997, not exactly new. So either the manufacturer is running a very old box for testing or worse, running 10.20, a completely obsolete and unsupported version of HP-UX.

I would be very cautious in investing in such a situation. Yes, you can purchase old hardware and load 10.20 (HP does not sell this version) and try to make it work but there is no support for HP-UX from HP. If you have a problem, it may never be fixed.

[Rick Garland]

For an older server - you can get a traffic traffic ticket for driving the wrong was down a one-way street.

The newer servers (L, N, RP, etc) will only load 11.00 and only in 64 bits

[Cheryl Griffin]

>>We accidentally installed an 11.00 system as 32-bit once when it was supposed to be 64-bit. >>

Hey John, not sure if your message was a typo or not.

You can upgrade a 32 bit to 64 bit:
http://www.docs.hp.com/cgi-bin/onlinedocs.py?mpn=B3782-90728&service=hpux&path=../B3782-90728/00/00/52&title=Installing%20and%20Updating%20HP-UX%2011.0%20Extension%20Pack%2C%20May%201999

You just can't downgrade it.

[John Poff]

Hi Cheryl,

Thanks for the info. We opened a call with HP and they told us it is not too hard to do if you have a fairly standard install and haven't installed a lot of extra packages. We had installed quite a few additional packages (Online JFS, MC/ServiceGuard, etc.) and they said that with those packages installed it might not work too well. Our guy played with it for a day or so and followed their instructions but the system got pretty squirrelly and wasn't happy. It was easier just to reinstall and try it again.

JP

[Cheryl Griffin]

Thanks John for the clarification. I definitely see your point.

[Fernando Acevedo]

thanks to all for your help, I understand now that I cannot install 10.20 in my N4000 server, and I cannot change it to 32 bits.