How to Increase RAMFS Size for Most Versions of Sysback

Contents

About this document
Machine selection process
File selection process
Make the necessary changes
Build the appropriate boot image
    Network boot image configuration
    Recreate full system backup
    Create a boot tape without data
    Bare install to create boot tape without data

About this document

This document describes how to re-make a boot image when the ramdisk runs out of space while booted from a Sysback tape or Sysback server.

This document applies to AIX Versions 3.x and 4.x. Later versions will require a larger RAMFS value.

Machine selection for process

For local tape backups, or Sysback Version 4 remote tape backups, log in as root on the client/source machine.

For Sysback Version 3 remote tape backups, log in as root on the server machine.

File selection for process

First, change into the /usr/sbin directory. Enter: 
        cd /usr/sbin

For Sysback Versions 4.1.4 or earlier, enter the following series of commands: 

        cp mkboottape mkboottape.org
        vi mkboottape

For Sysback Versions 4.2.0 and later, enter the following series of commands: 

        cp mkboottape.sh mkboottape.sh.org
        vi mkboottape.sh

Make the necessary changes

For Sysback Versions 4.1 or later, search on RAMFS. The following will display: 
        RAMFS=16384 # AIX 4.1 = 8MB
        [ ${VER}$REL -eq 42 ] && RAMFS=20480 # AIX 4.2 = 10MB
        [ ${VER}$REL -ge 43 ] && RAMFS=24576 # AIX 4.3 = 12MB

For Sysback Versions 3.x, search on sed until you find the following: 

	  sed "s/ $blocks/ 16384/" > /tmp/$proto
            OR 
	  sed "s/ $blocks/ 12288/" > /tmp/$proto

Change the value for your version by adding 4096 or more as necessary. Save and exit vi.

Build the appropriate boot image

Choose the correct option below to enable the changes that have been made. Once the steps from the selected option have been completed, restore your system from the Installation and Maintenance MAIN MENU according to the Sysback manual.

Option 1: Network boot image configuration

Enter smitty sysback to access SMIT and make the following menu selections: 

	Configuration Options
	Network Boot Configuration
      Update Network Boot Image

Try to boot the network again.

Option 2: Recreate full system backup

Create your full system backup again if possible. Boot and restore from your new backup as necessary.

Option 3: Create a boot tape without data

  1. Insert a blank tape into the tape drive and create a Sysback boot tape. Enter smitty sysback, then make the following menu selections. 
    	Utilities
	Create a Bootable Tape (without data)
  2. Boot from the newly created tape.
  3. Once the system is up in service mode and the Sysback menus display, remove the boot tape and insert the backup tape.

Option 4: Bare install to create boot tape without data

  1. Boot and install the system from AIX media matching the version in your Sysback backup.
  2. Once up in normal mode, install any additional device drivers as required (ssa, graphics, etc.).
  3. Install the Sysback package of the same version as was used to create the backup tape.
  4. Insert a blank tape into the tape drive and create a Sysback boot tape. Enter smitty sysback, then make the following menu selections: 
    	Utilities
	Create a Bootable Tape (without data)
  5. Boot from the newly created tape.
  6. Once the system is up in service mode and the Sysback menus display, remove the boot tape and insert the backup tape.


    [ Doc Ref: 92783782812328     Publish Date: Jul. 19, 2000     4FAX Ref: 4393 ]