Reset System Details

[Jim Hough_1]

I need to transfer a number of HP servers to a sister site oversees.

As a pre-requisite, I am removing unwanted filesystems and de-configuring config settings such as NIS and network settings. (I can't re-install the OS because SW build environments need to be preserved)

Does anyone know if I can prep the servers when I shut them down for the last time so that they ask their new owners for new network info when they boot (ie. like the set_parms initial procedure which runs when you boot a new server for the first time)?

Thanks

[Ravi_8]

Hi, jim

I had recd several servers from our Pittsburgh Lab which had the build env. they haven't set anything for new n/w configs.
Here I used to get into single user mode as they powered on( precautions for some m/c, since in US they use 110 V whereas in India I/p is 230 volts, we need to change the switch at the power i/p to the server) change the root passwd, turn off DCE,mailserver SNMP,NIS (under /etc/rc.config.d) and change the IP and subnet(set_parms initial) to our n/w and reboot the m/c. All the m/c came up without any problem, then start all the process (like DCE, NIS,NFS ...)

[Jim Hough_1]

Thanks Ravi,

But that was the sort of procedure I was hoping to avoid for the new users...

I know that other OSs allow you to make an entry in the inittab file which causes the machine to ask all the right questions next time it boots.

Does HPUX have an equivalent?

[Ravi_8]

Hi, Jim

As per your process is concerned ( i.e asking new users to change the IP when they boot), i can say NO.

[Leif Halvarsson_2 · Accepted solution]

Hi

I found this in man pages for set_parms. If no hostname is defined set_patms initial will run at boot.

DESCRIPTION
set_parms is an interactive system set up program which allows the
user to set up various important system parameters when first booting
up a newly installed operating system. In a first boot situation,
set_parms is invoked automatically by /sbin/auto_parms. For set_parms
purposes, first boot is defined as having no hostname set when the
system starts up. This causes set_parms to step through all of its
sub-areas to allow the user to set a hostname, select the proper
timezone for the system's location, set the date and time, set a root
password, and set an IP address, netmask, default routing, DNS, and
NIS information.

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi

Hostname is set in /etc/rc.config.d/netconf.

Try to unset hostname with:
HOSTNAME=""
and reboot the computer to see if it works.

[Jim Hough_1]

Many thanks Leif,

Tried your suggestion and it gives me just the result I was after.

Jim

PS.
For anyone who might want to try this in future, please be aware that this is a nice way to re-configure network settings, but a poor way to de-configure settings. For example, if the server was originally configured to use NIS and you tell set_parms that you do not want to configure NIS, your server will still look for the old NIS servers and hang during boot-up.
You need to de-configure such settings manually.