Upgrading Novell Server 3

[TheSeekerToo]

We need to upgrade our Novell server with new hardware. If I copy the hard drive over to the new server using the Western Digital DiskManager software and then install the drivers for the new NIC, is there anything else that needs to be configured? Will this do the trick?

I'm know very little about NetWare. The server has been running for over 8 YEARS with very little interaction from anyone. We only have about 7 or 8 users. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[TheLad]

You could try it, however my mate Salserocito has posted the proper procedure that Novell recommend.

Basically, build the new server and install NetWare 5.x (whatever version) on it. You then do a DSMAINT procedure on the old server, copy this file to the new server, and DSMAINT it in - Salserocito can supply decent documentation to follow as my explanation is a bit brief. -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
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[TheSeekerToo]

I found his post. Thanks for your help.

 

[salserocito]

just to make sure, will you be moving to a completely new Server, or will you be making hardware changes to your existing Server.

The instructions are basically the same, but there are a few differences.

The whole process is fairly easy, as long as the steps are completed in the right order.

Please advise.

 

[Matt3167]

salserocito,
I am replacing my six-9gig drives with six-36gig drives. I am replacing the drives, not the server. Does the DSmaint procedure apply to my situation? And if it does where are the instructions?........Thanks

 

[TheLad]

What type of server is it? On Compaq servers, you can replace smaller disks with bigger disks and use CPQONLIN to get the server to recognise the bigger disks thus NetWare sees the space. -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
-----------------------------------------------------

 

[Matt3167]

I have a Compaq Proliant 1600 configured for RAID 5.

 

[TheLad]

Are your current drives the newer Ultra 3 types? If so then you can get away with doing what I have said earlier.

If your drives are the older type, I presume you will be replacing the disk backplane also? -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
-----------------------------------------------------

 

[salserocito]

Yes!!!! IT DOES APPLY!!!

Whenever you remove the drives, you are also removing the Data, including NDS. Thats why this procedure is SO VERY IMPORTANT!!!

Let me know if I can answer any questions!

Good Luck!

 

[TheLad]

Not necessarily Sal. If I was replacing 6 x 9.1Gb Ultra 3 drives for 6 x 36Gb Ultra 3 drives on a Prolaint server, I would swap them out disk by disk letting the RAID restripe before changing the next disk. Once all of the new disks are in, run CPQONLIN and hey presto. This procedure has worked many times before.

If Matt3167 has anything other than 9.1Gb Ultra 3 drives in his server, he does have to follow DSMAINT procedures and rebuild the server on the new disks. -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
-----------------------------------------------------

 

[salserocito]

Ya know... thats something I didn't even think of! Definitely a great idea! I would go with doing that... Less of a chance for data loss and depending on the time it takes each drive to re-stripe, its probably a bit more efficient also!

Good Luck!

 

[Matt3167]

I have 9gig Ultra2 drives and the new drives are 36gig Ultra3 drives. Because they are different drives, will I be able to swap out disk by disk letting the RAID restripe? or do I have to use the DSMAINT procedure? If so does anyone know the TID # for the DSMAINT procedure?

 

[TheLad]

According to the following Compaq webpage:

http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/proliantstorage/drives-enclosures/hotplug-ultra3/index.html

you should be able to swap the disks as mentioned above. I say SHOULD by the way! You'd be advised to follow a DSMAINT and backup procedure before you attempt it. You could try removing one old drive and putting a new drive in and see if it starts striping.

Sal - post your DSMAINT procedure ... -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
-----------------------------------------------------

 

[Matt3167]

If I replace a 9gig drive with a 36gig drive in a 9gig RAID-5 set, will all 36gig be used in that RAID set, or will we still only use 9gig of that 36gig drive?

 

[TheLad]

You have to replace all of the disks in order for the system to see all 36Gb of the drive. You are correct in assuming that only 9Gb will be used until all disks are 36Gb.

When you have put all of the 36Gb disks in, you can use CPQONLIN to add the extra space. -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
-----------------------------------------------------

 

[SiLvERChiC]

I'm gonna be carrying out a hardware upgrade on my server. Meaning.., i've bought a new server and i'm gonna be copying everything on the old server to the new. Does your documentation apply to me as well? And where can i find it?
I welcome any suggestions.

 

[Matt3167]

Over the weekend I removed the 6-9gig drives and installed 6-36gig drives, that procedure went well. I ran CPQONLIN to create the 2nd logical drive. My array config now shows 2 logical drives, drive 1-43gig and drive 2-130gig, how would you recommend adding the additional space to the logical drive 1? (which is VOL1

 

[TheLad]

Just do the normal procedure for adding diskspace to a volume.

NWCONFIG / Standard Disk Options / NetWare Volume Options / Press Insert and specify to add extra diskspace to volume VOL1

Yes, your volume will span two logical volumes but this is not a problem. -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
-----------------------------------------------------

 

[Matt3167]

Thanks to all who responded, everything was a success. I now have 130gig available on my server where just last week I was down to 5gig...........Thanks again.

 

[salserocito]

Congratulations!

Good Luck!