Moving a SPARCstorage Array between servers

Below are the steps necessary to ensure successful switch-over of a SPARCStorage Array (SSA) between two Sun systems.

NOTE: Prior to performing this task, where possible make sure you have the following print-outs available to allow easier swap-over:

  • vxprint -Ath
  • vxdisk list
  • vxprint -g <disk-group-name>, one for each diskgroup on the SSA

ON ORIGINAL SYSTEM

  1. Install volume manager s/w
  2. run vxinstall,
    1. choose custom install option.
    2. answer yes to encapsulate boot disk. NOTE: Ensure no SSA disks are installed within the rootdg.
  3. Put SSA disks into a separate disk-group e.g dbasedg.
  4. Configure disks in dbasedg as per your requirements.

ON STANDBY SYSTEM

  1. Install volume manager s/w and
  2. run vxinstall,
    1. choose custom install
    2. answer yes to encapsulate boot disk.
  3. Leave all SSA disks alone.
  4. Remove all SSA hardware and reboot as normal.
  5. Reattach all hardware to original system.

SSA BACK ON ORIGINAL SYSTEM

System should boot as normal with all SSA components active and enabled. (check by running vxprint -Ath)

ORIGINAL HOSTS SYSTEM CRASHES

  1. Move all hardware onto standby system.
  2. Run the following commands:
    1. vxdg -f -C import <disk-group-name>
    2. fsck /dev/vx/dsk/<disk-group-name>/<volume name>
    3. vxvol -g <disk-group-name> -f start <volume-name>
    4. mount <volume-name> /<mount-point>

ORIGINAL SYSTEM RESTORED

  1. Move all hardware back onto original host.
  2. Boot single user and comment out any references to <disk-group-name> within /etc/vfstab
  3. Boot into multi-user.
  4. Run the following commands:
    1. vxdg -f -C import <disk-group-name>
    2. fsck /dev/vx/dsk/<disk-group-name>/<volume-name>
    3. vxvol -g <disk-group-name> -f start <volume-name>
    4. mount <volume-name> /<mount-point> or edit /etc/vfstab and do a mountall.