How to Clone an AIX 4.1 mksysb Tape

Contents

This document describes how to clone a mksysb tape from one system to another. Information in this document is valid for AIX Version 4.1 Only.

WARNING: This procedure is valid only with a mksysb and will not work with a Sysback 6000 system backup.

On the source system, create a mksysb tape. Execute:

    mksysb -i /dev/rmt0 

WARNING: If the source system is running D5 code and if a system other than the exact model is being cloned to, there is a licensing issue which will need to be addressed. Contact your AIX support center for assistance.

If the mksysb tape was created without the -i flag, the cloning and restoration process could be problematic. If possible, recreate the mksysb tape again from SMIT or from the command line with the -i flag.

To clone mksysb at AIX 4.1, create a diskette containing a script which will override the mksysb settings upon restoration. On the source system, use the following steps.

NOTE: If the source system is not immediately available (for example, if it is at a different location), it is possible to execute the following five steps on another system. However, make sure that the system is running the same Exact AIX level as the source system.

1. Create a working directory with all the files that will be archived to the diskette.

       mkdir /tmp/clone 
       cd /tmp/clone 
   

2. Create a Signature File to allow the diskette to be recognized by the system.

       echo data > signature 
   

Create a customized bosinst.data file

The bosinst.data file contains information that the restore process needs about the source and target systems. This step creates a customized file that will override the bosinst.data file found on the mksysb tape.

Refer to the section "Customizing the BOS Install Program" in InfoExplorer for more details about creating a bosinst.data file.

There are other attributes in this file that might be further customized, such as Console and Prompt. Enter the following:

    cp /usr/lpp/bosinst/bosinst.template bosinst.data 

NOTE: Make sure that the field in the control_flow stanza equals cloner. This is what will allow the use of the clone script. Also, the target_disk_data stanza should equal <blank>. Example:

    CUSTOMIZATION_FILE = cloner 
    Target_Disk_Data 

Following is a sample bosinst.data file:

---------------------begin---------------------- 
control_flow: 
       CONSOLE 
       INSTALL_METHOD = overwrite 
       PROMPT = yes 
       EXISTING_SYSTEM_OVERWRITE = yes 
       INSTALL_X_IF_ADAPTER = yes 
       RUN_STARTUP = yes 
       RM_INST_ROOTS = no 
       ERROR_EXIT = 
       CUSTOMIZATION_FILE = cloner 
       TCB = no 
       INSTALL_TYPE = 
       BUNDLES = 
target_disk_data: 
       LOCATION = 
       SIZE_MB = 
       HDISKNAME = 
locale: 
       BOSINST_LANG = C 
       CULTURAL_CONVENTION = C 
       MESSAGES = en_US 
       KEYBOARD = en_US 
---------------------end-------------------- 

Create a customization script

The customization script is what does all the work while cloning. It will do the following:

• Install the proper kernel for the target system.
• Link the kernel to /usr/lib/boot/unix.
• Install any missing device drivers.
• Create the disk boot image.

In this same directory, using a favorite editor, create a file called cloner and enter the following text:

---------------------begin-------------------- 
#!/usr/bin/ksh
set -x
installp -C
devinstall -b -d /../SPOT/usr/sys/inst.images -f    \
 /../tmp/device.pkgs
case $(bootinfo -T) in
        rs6k) installp -abcgXd/../SPOT/usr/sys/inst.images \
              devices.base.rte;;
        rspc) installp -abcgXd/../SPOT/usr/sys/inst.images \
              devices.rspc.base.rte;;
esac
case $(bootinfo -z) in
        0) installp -abcgXd/../SPOT/usr/sys/inst.images bos.rte.up
           ln -fs /usr/lib/boot/unix_up /usr/lib/boot/unix;;
        1) installp -abcgXd/../SPOT/usr/sys/inst.images bos.rte.mp
           ln -fs /usr/lib/boot/unix_mp /usr/lib/boot/unix;;
esac
cfgmgr -v -i /../SPOT/usr/sys/inst.images
BLVDISK=$(lslv -l hd5 | grep hdisk | head -1 | cut -d' ' -f1)
ln -f /dev/r$BLVDISK /dev/ipldevice
bosboot -a -d /dev/ipldevice
bootlist -m normal $BLVDISK
rm -f /etc/firstboot
sync;sync;sync
exit 0
------------------------end------------------------- 

Save the file. Then change the permissions on the target file to 755 by entering:

    chmod 755 cloner 

Create the diskette

Now with all the files created, archive them to diskette. Files MUST be archived using backbyname so that the system can read the diskette. Enter:

    find . -print | backup -ivqf /dev/rfd0 

Use the following steps to restore the mksysb.

1. Boot in Service mode.

   On the target system, boot from CD-ROM install media.

   NOTE: The CD-ROM must be at the same level of the source system on which the mksysb tape was created. Make sure the diskette is inserted in the disk drive and that the tape drive is turned on but that the mksysb tape is NOT loaded at this point.

2. Boot process:

   If the system is a single processor, the boot process may begin immediately. If it is a multiprocessor, first go through the hardware boot menu. For more information, consult the model's documentation or contact your AIX support center for assistance.

3. Install and Maintenance Menu:
   1. A message stating press F1 or 1 for the system console, a message asking for the desired language, and then the main menu will be displayed as follows:

            Welcome to Base Operating System 
              Installation and Maintenance
      

      Select option 3 : start maintenance mode. On the next menu, Select option 4 : install from a system backup.

   2. Place the mksysb tape into the tape drive. Wait for a minute or two for the tape to settle or to stop spinning. Select the tape drive. The tape drive and then the floppy will be accessed.

   3. Instructions will be displayed to return to the Main Menu. If the language option is displayed again, select and continue. This will only occur on some systems.

      From this 3-option menu, select:

           Option 2 : show or change characteristics 
      

      From the next menu, select:

           Option 1 : select target disks 
      

      Make sure that the desired target disks are selected. Verify the disks by location ID and not by hdisk#.

      The selected disks are indicated by >>>. If there are a lot of drives attached to the system and they do not fit on one screen, press 6 to advance the screen. Make sure to select only the drives to which the rootvg is to be restored. If a data drive is chosen by mistake, all the data on that drive will be lost. Therefore, be certain that the correct drives have been selected.

      After you select the drives to which the mksysb is to be restored, choose:

          option (0), "continue" 
          option (0), "continue with the installation" 
      

4. Post mksysb:

   If there is a key it can now be turned to Normal. The machine will reboot when the installation is complete.

   After the mksysb restores all the data, it will display the installp executing from the script to install any additional detected devices.

   WARNING: When you are cloning to a platform with a different kernel type (for example, RS6K -> RSPC), the first bosboot attempt will FAIL and a message will print asking if you wish to go into Maintenance Mode or Continue. Select Continue and the cloner script will then run. There will not be any additional output until the copyright screen appears just before the system reboots. This problem has been corrected at AIX 4.1.5.0.