Note: To support this blog.Please click the ads displayed in this Blog.That would be helpful for me.Continue with this post.
This method is useful to take the backup to alternate disk and no impact to original rootvg. We can easily roll back the server just by changing the bootlist.
If rootvg got corrupted or any issues after patching the server , we can easily roll back the server.
Required filesets:
bos.alt_disk_install.boot_images
bos.alt_disk_install.rte
bos.msg.en_US.alt_disk_install.rte
Flags
-B
Would specify not running bootlist after the mksysb or clone. If set, the -r flag cannot be used. Note: The -B and -X flags are mutually exclusive.
-C
Clone rootvg.
-S
Will "put-to-sleep" the volume group. This is used after a volume group "wake-up". (W).
-W disk
Used to "wake-up" a volume group for data access between the rootvg and the alternate disk rootvg.
-v new_volume_group_name disk
Used to rename the alternate disk volume group. This is especially useful when creating multiple alternate disks, on multiple volume groups,and name identification is necessary.
Examples:
To take the clone of rootvg, not change bootlist.
# alt_disk_install -B -C hdisk1
To "wake_up" an original rootvg, after booting from the new alternate disk:
alt_disk_install -W hdisk0
Illustrated Example
# lspv
hdisk0 000040445043d9f3 old_rootvg
hdisk1 00076443210a72ea rootvg
# alt_disk_install -W hdisk0
# lspv
hdisk0 000040445043d9f3 altinst_rootvg
hdisk1 00076443210a72ea rootvg
At this point, the "altinst_rootvg" volume group is varied-on and the /alt_inst file systems will be mounted.
To "put-to-sleep" a volume group that had experienced a "wake-up":
alt_disk_install -S
Illustrated Example
# lspv
hdisk0 000040445043d9f3 altinst_rootvg
hdisk1 00076443210a72ea rootvg
# alt_disk_install -S
# lspv
hdisk0 000040445043d9f3 altinst_rootvg
hdisk1 00076443210a72ea rootvg
The "altinst_rootvg" is no longer varied-on and the /alt_inst file systems are no longer mounted. If it's necessary for the "altinst_rootvg" volume group name to be changed back to "old_rootvg", this can be done with the "-v" flag.
To modify an alt_disk_install volume group name:
alt_disk_install -v alt_disk_432 hdisk2
Illustrated Example
# lspv
hdisk0 00006091aef8b687 rootvg
hdisk1 00000103000d1a78 rootvg
hdisk2 000040445043d9f3 altinst_rootvg
hdisk3 00076443210a72ea altinst_rootvg
hdisk4 0000875f48998649 None
hdisk5 000005317c58000e None
# alt_disk_install -v alt_disk_432 hdisk2
#lspv
hdisk0 00006091aef8b687 rootvg
hdisk1 00000103000d1a78 rootvg
hdisk2 000040445043d9f3 alt_disk_432
hdisk3 00076443210a72ea alt_disk_432
hdisk4 0000875f48998649 None
hdisk5 000005317c58000e None
Process to take the alternate disk backup:
1. If rootvg is mirrored, break the mirror and free up one disk then proceed to take the backup using alternate disk method.
2. Take the alternate disk backup using the command alt_disk_install without changing the bootlist of AIX server.
# alt_disk_install -B -C <hdiskX>
3. Verify the bootlist and boot image created hdiskX.
# bootlist -m normal -o
# ipl_varyon -i
To roll back the server :
1. Verify and Change the bootlist to altinst_rootvg disk(hdiskX).
# bootlist -m normal -o
# bootlist -m normal <hdiskX> hdisk0
2. Reboot the server using alternate disk(altinst_rootvg).
# shutdown -Fr now
3. Once server came back, verify whether it is booted with alternate disk or not. Make sure old disk with old_rootvg
# lspv
To remove the alternate disk backup we have execute the below command.
# alt_disk_install -X
Break the rootvg mirror and take the clone for quick rollback. If your VIO server with single disk take the mksysb backup:
To break the rootvg mirror and create a clone for quick rollback
$ bootlist -mode normal –ls
$ unmirrorios hdisk1
# migratepv hdisk1 hdisk0 (Run as root user)
$ reducevg -rmlv rootvg hdisk1
$ alt_root_vg -target hdisk1
$oem_setup_env (to get root shell)
# bosboot -ad hdisk0 (using root shell)
# bootlist -mode normal hdisk0 hdisk1 (using root shell)
Patching using alternate disk:
If rootvg is mirrored, break the mirror and free up one disk then proceed with AIX patching using alternate disk method.
# alt_disk_copy -d <altdiskname> -b update_all -l <TL Location>
# alt_rootvg_op -W -d hdisk8
# chroot /alt_inst /usr/bin/ksh
# oslevel -s
# exit
# alt_rootvg_op -S altinst_rootvg