Different SP levels

[rsebasti]

I manage 6x Novell ver5 servers all with different SP levels. They are as follows:

Sydney - SP5
HUB - SP5
Adelaide - SP3
Brisbane - SP3
Fremantle - SP3
Melbourne - SP3

I obviously need to move to the latest but does someone know of a clear upgrade procedure to get them to SP6. Do I level them all first to 5 and then upgrade to 6?

Does anyone know links or knowledgebases which refer to a proper upgrade procedure? ========================================
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when I stopped talking...

 

[TheLad]

On all servers, just apply SP6a. There is no need to apply any other service packs as all fixes in previous service packs are also contained in SP6a.

Below is a link to the SP6a Install TID:

http://support.novell.com/servlet/tidfinder/2958185

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[rsebasti]

Is there a preffered method or timing in servers SP upgrade?

Do I have to do the change across the board at the same time? Can I do these in periods of hourse, days? etc

Because of the slow connection between the state servers...

Is it feasible to downgrade the replica from each server to R/W and have another server be master - then remove DS on the machine and add it back to the tree or will that be more complications? ========================================
I learnt the most
when I stopped talking...

 

[TheLad]

Best way of doing it (and it is a way I and many other Novell professionals have used for years):

a) Check to see if there are any pre-requisites listed in the Service Pack TID (for example: for this support pack Novell advises you upgrade to the latest NICI before applying - web link is there, take a look)

b) Copy the expanded Service Pack and associated upgrades (eg. NICI) onto your server (doesn't necessarily have to be SYS but if it is ...) ensuring that after the copying has finished there is still enough room on SYS to install the Service Pack (check pre-requisites in the TID link above)

c) Install the pre-requisites first. Follow the associated TID which will probably guide you through NWCONFIG / Product Options etc.... Check diskspace once installed and (if necessary) rebooted.

d) Install the Service Pack again through NWCONFIG / Product Options / Install a Product not listed - hit enter, specify the path where you have copied the SP - follow the instructions (I strongly advise the backup old files option).


As to any order, usually people like to start with the Master [Root] server first, in my experience it is usually best especially if there is a DS upgrade (which will also upgrade the Schema), but after that you can do it in any order. Probably best to do one a night because if something goes wrong (99% of the time things are ok), you only have one server to fix rather than several. -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
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