swinstall in single user mode

[MikeL_4]

I have to extend the size of /usr to install the Quarterly patch bundle: GOLDQPK11i_Dec2004

I'm in single user mode, /usr is extended, I've remounted all file systems: mount -a and
verified the new sizes and everything mounted.

I tried to run swinstall while in single user mode and I am receiving error:

Could not contact host "hostname" because of an invalid protocol sequence. Protocol sequences are specified with the rpc_binding_info option. Make sure this option is specified correctly.

I though it was HP's recommendation to install patches in single user mode, so to save a reboot I'd do that... Do you know what I'm doing wrong or do I have to do it in multi user mode ??

[RAC_1 · Accepted solution]

Running swinstall in standalone mode.
The following procedure can be used to run swinstall in standalone mode.
The workaround is to use swinstall without the lan, by changing the
local IP address to the loopback address during the update process:

1. Modify /etc/hosts such that the IP address for your host is
set to 127.0.0.1 and resembles this example:

127.0.0.1 myhost
127.0.0.1 localhost loopback

2. move /etc/resolv.conf (if it exists) to another file name.
3. Halt the system.
4. Disconnect from the lan and power up the system.
5. Do one of the following:
touch /var/adm/sw/standalone
or
add set_local=true in /var/adm/sw/defaults0020
6. Stop the swagentd daemon:
/sbin/init.d/swagentd stop
7. Restart the swagentd daemon:
/sbin/init.d/swagentd start
You should now be able to run swinstall in standalone mode. Once you
have completed the swinstall session, undo what was done in the above
steps (starting with step #1) to restore network access.

[John Dvorchak]

Here is the procedure that I use to patch. First I go from multiuser to singer user:

root> shutdown -y 0

Then when I get the prompt back I first mount all file systems and then start the swagent:

root> mount -a
root> /sbin/init.d/swagentd start

Then I run swinstall normally.

As a side note: I always do this from a rlogin/telnet session and also logon to the console. That way if anything goes wrong or I hang the system I have the console session to deal with problems. Believe it or not a rlogin session will continue to run if you issue the shutdown command from that session. If you do it from the console you will loose your rlogin/telnet session.

[MikeL_4]

following errors trying to restart swagentd


# /sbin/init.d/swagentd start
ERROR: swagentd exiting due to initialization error in background
process. Check the logfile "/var/adm/sw/swagentd.log" for
more information.
ERROR: Unable to restart swagentd after initializing networking.

======= 03/17/05 19:19:27 EST BEGIN swagentd (pid = 424).

ERROR: Invalid protocol sequence specified as part of the
"rpc_binding_info=" configuration option.
ERROR: Terminating prematurely - cannot serve Remote Procedure Call
requests.

======= 03/17/05 19:19:27 EST END swagentd (pid = 424, startup
error).

[Patrick Wallek]

I have never liked trying to use swinstall in single-user mode. the sw* commands are too dependent on name resolution and other things. I just make sure that users can get logged into the system and that all applications are down before I start an install that will require a reboot.

[MikeL_4]

Thanks for input..