physically move a server

[Grayh]

If I want to physically move a server or forklift a server from one location to another... what are the steps I need to follow...

Could you give me a step by step Instruction for this please.

[Bill Hassell · Accepted solution]

Well, the question is very unclear. I can move an rp2470 by carrying it -- no forklift needed. I can even put it in the back seat of my car and drive it to another city. On the other hand, a multi cabinet SuperDome should not be moved without professional equipment movers -- a simple forklift mistake could topple the cabinet(s) and cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair. And if the cabinet contains disks, you may have lost all or most of the data. And the risk goes way up when you put the equipment in a truck.

So here are the questions:

1. How much is the equipment worth and how much money would be lost if the server is damaged?

2. What does the cabinet contain (server(s) by model, UPS, disks, tape drives)?

3. How far is the equipment going to be moved (a few meters, several kilometers...)?

4. Are the movers experienced in moving electronic equipment? How much insurance will be carried by the movers?

As far as preparations, you must take two Ignite/UX images on tape plus two copies of all your data. All of this must be verified as functional before the move (ie, the tapes can be read). If the new location will change IP addresses, you must list all of the LAN cards and get a copy of /etc/rc.config.d/netconf. Then make a new version with the new LAN addresses.

Similarly, you'll need to make a new version of /etc/hosts and perhaps /etc/resolv.conf if you are using DNS. If you are using NFS, I would disable NFS services in the /etc/rc.config.d/nfsconf to prevent hangs on first bootup at the new location. You can add NFS (if used) once the other clients and/or servers are working. Be sure to edit /etc/fstab to disable any NFS filesystems.

And finally, before you move, make absolutely sure that the correct power cables are available at the new location and that they have been tested by a qualified electrician. Many server moves are delayed for days because the wrong connectors were installed at the new location.

[Fayez]

Hi Gray,

Bill gives you almost every step you may think and need to move any expensive machine.

As he said, always be in safe side by taking a full backup and images of your data and systems, put down your reconfiguration plan in case there is some thing to be changed like changing network schema or storage replacement at the new location.

The reconfiguration comes more complicated in case there is cluster systems, in this case you must and must put a good plan for that.

[Fayez]

Sorry Grayh, I typed your name incorrectly

[Grayh]

Bill,

I am looking at the technical point of view more...

As far as preparations, you must take two Ignite/UX images on tape plus two copies of all your data.

>>I have storage connected to it.. But my duty is to move only thee server..Wat should I do and how should I proceed.. Pleaase give me the procedure to take a Ignite Image...(Source is 11.11 and target is 11.23)

All of this must be verified as functional before the move (ie, the tapes can be read).

>> I have got this documented..

If the new location will change IP addresses, you must list all of the LAN cards and get a copy of /etc/rc.config.d/netconf.

>> please tell me the preacations here and all the information I need to collect..

Then make a new version with the new LAN addresses.

>> Can I do this with Ignite(Keeping in view that source is connected to a storage and source is 11.11 and target is 11.23)How to proceed with this...

Similarly, you'll need to make a new version of /etc/hosts and perhaps /etc/resolv.conf if you are using DNS.

>>Yes we are using DNS and NFS and VLAN concept... how to proceed on this

If you are using NFS, I would disable NFS services in the /etc/rc.config.d/nfsconf to prevent hangs on first bootup at the new location.

>> will it be fine If I disable the NFS entries in /etc/rc.config.d/nfsconf alone or will I have to make changes elseware...

You can add NFS (if used) once the other clients and/or servers are working. Be sure to edit /etc/fstab to disable any NFS filesystems.

>>I understood this..

And finally, before you move, make absolutely sure that the correct power cables are available at the new location and that they have been tested by a qualified electrician.

>>I got this..

Many server moves are delayed for days because the wrong connectors were installed at the new location.

>>I got this

plz help

[Bill Hassell]

>> Can I do this with Ignite(Keeping in view that source is connected to a storage and source is 11.11 and target is 11.23)How to proceed with this...

source 11.11, target 11.23 confuses everything. Now I do not understand what you mean by "move a server". Are you simply removing the box? How can the "target" be 11.23 for this box? Where is the new version of HP-UX? Are you cold-installing 11.23 at the destination site?

[Torsten.]

I'm pretty sure it is related to this thread:

http://forums.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1363358

basically "move" OS and application from 11.11 RISC server to 11.23 Integrity server. As said there, no way.

[Grayh]

I am so sorry... I got confused b/w the different migrations here and posted the incorrect one here

I am just moving the server connected to a storage here to one other location... and wanted to make sure of the precations

[Grayh]

How to move a physical server when a storage is connected to it... and the same storage is connected to a different server which is not being moved


plz advise

[Bill Hassell]

> How to move a physical server when a storage is connected to it..

How many cabinets do you have? Is the disk storage in the same cabinet as the server? What else is in the cabinet? Tape drives? Network equipment?

> and the same storage is connected to a different server which is not being moved

I just don't understand. Are you talking about several servers that are attached to the same disk storage?

[Grayh]

thansk