Server Migration for Application(Any Impact)

[panchpan]

Hello.
Our application Servers are being shifted from one Physical Location to another. We do not have CDs to install the base software and planning to copy the HP-UX File System from current location to new test location.
Please advise IF any other important concerns/ Precautions to be taken care for making the entire application run same way as it runs today?

Thanks a lot.
PP.

[Chan 007 · Accepted solution]

Hi,
Few Points,

1. Ensure that no script/application uses the IP address that are hardcoded.
2. Any change in domain name.
3. Take a complete cold backup.
4. Ensure that you migrate the data when not being used.
5. Use ignite to backup your OS and restore to the new location.

Chan

[Michael Steele_2]

Hard copy:

gateway ip
/etc/hosts
mail relay
NFS mounts
NIS
vlnboot -v
bdf
netstat -rn
ioscan -fnk
ioscan -fnkC disk
ioscan -fnkC tape
vgdisplay -v (* all vgs *)
strings /etc/lvmtab
cat /etc/fstab

Two copies min. of ignite tapes.

[panchpan]

What is ignite ?
Also, Please advise IF from hardware point of view or any issues due to absence of CDs.

Thanks.

[Geoff Wild]

Ignite is a way to backup a system OS and restore.

http://docs.hp.com/en/IUX/

Rgds...Geoff

[DCE]

Ignite is a free package available from HP. It is used to backup the root environment of your system. When you retore an ignite image from tape, you restore the complete OS as it was at the time of backup - patches, kernel config, etc.

If you are attempting to restore the image to a different sever, use the advanced options and select clone to different hardware as true. i have successfully done this multiple times (as long as the equipment is not too radically different)

read the doc refenced in the earlier reply for specifics.

[Rick Garland]

You talk about Application servers. Are these applications licensed in any way? You may have to go through the hoops to relicense/register since some apps look at specific identifying characteristics that are only on a single server. Examples, the MAC address, the server serial number, etc.

Getting the OS across to another server can be done with Ignite. The apps may need some help.

[Michael Steele_2]

Yes its an issue if you don't have any CD's or ignite backup tapes. All are part of your disaster recovery plan.

Without these your job may be in jeapordy since there is no greater sin then not being able to go to your backups and recovery.

[panchpan]

Hello.
Please advise-
From where can I get the info about
A. Latest Patch levels available on current OS?
B. All middleware components including specific version number.
C. What issue do you feel you would like assistance with to port from PA-RISC to Integrity ?

Thank you.

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi:

1. For the latest patches available for various OS versions, see:

http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/patch/releaseIndexPage.do?BC=main|

...and the parent page, here:

http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/patch/mainPage.do

2. I'm not clear as to what you mean by "middleware". If you mean things like Oracle versions, etc., then see those vendors sites.

3. An excellent site for information on porting is the Developer & Solution Partner Program:

http://h21007.www2.hp.com/dspp/home/home_HomePage_IDX/1,1292,,00.html

Regards!

...JRF...

[Michael Steele_2]

Hi Panchalp:

'Middleware' is an IBM coined slogan. And although HP states that they will begin to support IBM Middleware, they also suggest you contact your IBM representative.

"..Customers who wish to learn more about IBM middleware product offerings running on HP Integrity servers should contact their IBM software representative..."

Here's the HP release on IBM Middleware. (Its just a press release.)

Here is a good link for HP-UX Utah and Open Source packages: (*just thought I'd throw it in since a lot of HP Admins refer to it*)

http://h20293.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?hpweb_printable=true&productNumber=HPUXIEXP1123


http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2006/060525a.html

[panchpan]

Hello.
Could you please suggest me the issues (just a prediction) might occur after i move the server for my application from pa-risc to itanium.
I have understood all the precautions + ignite etc from previous chain of communication.

But Just in case from one's expertise/experience in advance - the issues might occur (s/w or h/w).

Thank you.

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom,

I'd back up the data however thats done and have Ignite make_tape_recovery and/or make_net_recovery backups of all vg00 volume groups.

If networking is going to change, that is a potentially leathal complication that needs to be dealt with.

In general, when you mover servers around, things shake loose, disks are more likely to fail, things like that. I'd be prepared to open the case(depends on the server type) and make sure cables are all still tight.

This is a good opportunity to use compressed air to clean up the fans.

To keep the application happy:
1) Make sure ip addresses will not change.
2) Make sure you get the same switch and port on the switch or if that is impossible that the switch port configuration is the same as it was before.
3) Label all cables and connectors, especially network cables.

SEP

SEP

[Michael Steele_2]

Power is first. So become familiar with you facilities circuits and what you are connected to. You'll have two or three power supplies on your server, they should be swappable. Note their location and product numbers.

You should have an original parts manifest from the day of delivery. This manifest will list all purchases and should be within your file. If you don't have a copy then call your HP representative or agent and he should have it. It will also contain things like part numbers and serial numbers. Obtain a copy.

And, become familiar with your power circuits and power redundancy.

[panchpan]

Hello.
In continuation of same request (Server migration from one physical location to another).

I have taken care of point for getting same patch levels and kernel parameters.
For patch lists - I have got the output using swlist from both the machines.
1) Its a HUGE LIST, how do i compare ? I have got the diff of it (via diff command and comaprison of textpad). But finding it very time consuming and lengthy process to get the distinct out of these. Any other better way and important technical point to be taken care while comparing?

2) I have also got the 2 lists for Kernel parameters (Drivers and Subsystems , Kernel Device info , Tunable parameters) and also /etc/services from both. Same problem now in comparing as (1) and what is the command from UNIX prompt I can give to get this info?.

3) Please let me know IF i am still missing anything to get compared?

Thanks a lot!

[Bill Hassell]

I may have imsinterpreted your project, but are you moving all your applications and OS code from a PA-RISC computer to an Itanium? This is a *LOT* bigger project than just copying the files. Itanium is completely different CPU and architecture, so none of the OS files and libraries are compatible at all. And unless you have the very latest CDs (HP-UX 11i ver 2), the PA-RISC CDs will not be of any value. Ignite/UX will not help because it only works between similar families of hardware. None of the Itanium code is present on your PA-RISC computer.

This is not a move, it is a complete migration and requires a full install of HP-UX on the Itanium server, followed by a several patch sessions with the latest patch bundles (there are hundreds, but the bundles make it easier). You then add your application products BUT ONLY if they are certified to run on Itanium computers at the revision you will be using (only 11.23 or 11i ver 2 is recommended).

[panchpan]

Hello.

Sorry I missed to add here, We have managed to have same processor type i.e. PA-RISC and same OS version.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Bill Hassell]

OK, you'll be fine with Ignite/UX. Download the latest version from:

Use make_tape_recovery with these options:

make_tape_recovery -I -v -x inc_entire=vg00 -a /dev/rmt/0mn

When you restore the image, it will ask you about sizing disks (optional to keep the same) and networking details (hostname, IP addr, etc). Only the licensing issues with purchased programs will have to be resolced.

[panchpan]

Hello.

Thank you for the info. I wish to know IF i shall make a note from current server and do comparisons etc. Below are taken care:
/etc/services/
kmtune -l
swlist

Please suggest IF any other file needs to be modified at new server or any other changes from configuration point of view. Yes, we are taking latest ignite with 2 backups.

Thanks for yor reply.

[Bill Hassell]

The make_tape_recovery backup listed above is a complete copy of vg00, so it will be identical to the original machine. swlist, inetd.conf, all the configuration files will be the same. Since the new computer is in a different location, you will choose the networking tab during the restore process to change the hostname, IP address, subnet mask, gateway and if used, the DNS server(s). If your application software was also installed in vg00, then it will be the same on the new server.

The only task left after you bootup is to add any additional volume groups, mount them and restore files to those filesystems from a standard fbackup tape.

[panchpan]

Hello.

For our Project Server migration, I am proposed to have dump/load of software directory i.e. /opt/progress directory along with dump/load of all the application files.
Since the destination machine is not new - Technical team has denied for ignite backup.
I am going to make sure for patch list installation.
I see the risk in it that in case after loading of /opt/progress application does not work same way as today - I might need to do fresh installation of mfgpro and progress on destination machine. But I am not sure about further risks on it and how the initial setups would be done.

Could you please provide me some light on this ?
Thanks a lot in advance.

[Bill Hassell]

I would plan for a lot of downtime since you are essentially moving the database and applications to a different server. There are hundreds of patches that will be different between the two systems as well as configuration files that may have server-specific data. And of cours, the new server will have a different license number so your database program may not even run at all.

The only clean way (without using Ignite) is to hand check every patch on the current system and match the patches on the target system. Then install Progress and MfgPro and get them patched. Finally, copy the configuration and data files to the new system. I would plan about a week or more to complete this task.

[panchpan]

Thanks a lot Bill. Your reply helps me.

You mentioned -- "Then install Progress and MfgPro and get them patched." - What is the meaning of getting them patched? How do i do that?
Finally, copy the configuration and data files to the new system. --> Where to get them from and if you know the file names?

Also, do you think is it a problem IF they use dump and load of /opt/progress directory to new machine. If it has to work this way - What are the commands and steps to be followed for dump/load and I will make sure that all the patches are handchecked.

Thanks a lot!

[Bill Hassell]

> "Then install Progress and MfgPro and get them patched." - What is the meaning of getting them patched? How do i do that?

You will have to contact the manufacturer of the application software to get the latest patches. Progress and MfgPro are large programs and will have updates and patches. If you have a DataBase Administrator, that person should be able to get the required information.

> copy the configuration and data files to the new system. --> Where to get them from and if you know the file names?

That is also something where your DBA must help. Every application is different and may have just a few or many configuration files.

Although it may seem like a simple job, this job is a very large task (in part because Ignite/UX cannot be used) and will require expert knowledge to complete successfully. You may need a good consultant to help with the move.