Install OS on 2nd drive

[pric moore]

All,
I have a Digital 4100 running Digital UNIX V4.0D (Rev. 878) AND a Compaq GS60E running Tru64 UNIX V5.0A (Rev. 1094). These machines are not heavily used, so I have not done any real system administration on them (meaning no upgrade experience). Now, I need to bring them up to the latest OS (Version 5.1B2). Both machines are AdvFS.

I am thinking that rather than doing a series of upgrades I would do an install of 5.1B2 on an unused drive and then use it as the boot drive. I know there are many issues involved, so would appreciate advice and/or references.
Thanks

[Michael Schulte zur Sur]

Hi,

updating from 4.0D to 5.1B really would not be advisable.
Please update firmware to new.
Check your hardware whether still supported.
http://h30097.www3.hp.com/docs/pub_page/V51B_DOCS/V51B_DOCLIST.HTM
check for docs.

greetings,

Michael

[Hein van den Heuvel]

Doing the upgrade will make sure that 'the rest' stays. The extra applications, compilers, tools, whatevers. If you think you can manage those. Great, more power to you.

Personally, I have the luxury to work with minimal additions to the standard OS so indeed I prefer the clean install on an alternate disk.

When the new OS is happy I create a softlink in /etc/fmns/old_usr (and old_var, and old_root) pointing to the partitions of the of old boot disk. Then mount /old_usr_domain#usr /old_usr and so on.
Then blow over /old_root/etc/passwd and stuff, /old_usr/users and stuff and so on.

It's a bit of a hassle, but it reconfirms my understanding of what is needed on the box, and validates my backups and fall-back and so on.

And... most importantly... there is always that old boot disk to go back to! (but I suppose you could just clone that before an upgrade).

Have fun,

Hein.

[Kevin Webb_4]

Hi,

I'm pretty sure that 4.0D runs a much earlier version of AdvFS so you need to watch file system compatilility.
All is described in AdvFS docs

Kevin

[Ralf Puchner]

Why not starting using the installation guide of 5.1B? Prior to installation be sure you are using proper firmware on all included devices...

[pric moore]

I decided to do a full install.