Information Library for Solaris 2.6 (Intel Platform Edition)

Upgrade Instructions

  1. Consider the following information before you upgrade an existing system to a new Solaris version.

    • Check the section Software Features No Longer Supported in the Solaris release notes to see if there is any software that you use that is no longer provided in the new release.

    • See the module What's New in this book to see if any of the changes or enhancements to the Solaris operating environment will affect anything that you currently do.

    • See the module Supported Hardware to make sure your system and devices are supported by the new release.

    • Check other software documentation.


      Caution - Caution -

      The following table lists known limitations or changes that need to be made to avoid loss of data during upgrade. This list is not complete. Always check co-packaged and third-party software documentation for upgrading instructions.


      Table 6-1 Software That Requires Changes Before Upgrading

      Software 

      Problem Summary 

      Solstice(TM) Online: DiskSuite(TM) 

      Metadevices cannot be upgraded. You must comment out metadevices entries (/dev/md) in the /etc/vfstab file before starting the upgrade option. See the Solstice Online: DiskSuite documentation for instructions

    • Check for all the available patches that you may need. The most updated patch list is provided by SunSolve on the internet (http://sunsolve.sun.com/).

  2. Back up your system. See "How to Back Up a System" for detailed instructions.

    Always back up existing file systems before using the upgrade option and installing a new version of Solaris software. Backing up file systems means copying file systems to removable media (such as tape) to safeguard your data against loss, damage, or corruption. If you do not have a backup procedure in place, use the following procedure to peform a full backup of file systems. For information on setting up scheduled backups and using other backup commands, see System Administration Guide in the Solaris server product.

  3. Insert the Configuration Assistant boot diskette into the system's a: diskette drive.

  4. Insert the Solaris CD into the CD-ROM drive.

  5. Prepare the system to boot.

    Table 6-2 Booting Instructions

    If System Is ... 

    Then ... 

    New (out of the box) and turned off 

    Turn on the system components.  

    Turned on, and running Solaris 

     

    Access a command tool or shell and type: 

    $ su root

    # init 0

    Follow the prompts to reboot. 

    Upon turning on your system, a diagnostic program (Configuration Assistant) checks your hardware for any devices that you've added to your system that are in conflict. If there are any, you'll be prompted to fix them before continuing.

  6. Choose the CD option to boot the system from the CD-ROM.

  7. Choose the Interactive option.

    Do not choose 2- custom JumpStart; this is an advanced installation option. It requires previous setup. To automate installations using custom JumpStart, see the Solaris Advanced Installation Guide in the Solaris server product box.

    Do not choose Solaris Web Start; it does not support upgrading in this release.


    Note -

    If you experience any problems from this point on, see the module Troubleshooting During Installation


  8. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Solaris operating environment.

    You are now in the hands of the the Solaris installation program. This menu-driven, interactive program guides you step-by-step through installing the Solaris operating environment; it also has online help to answer your questions.

  9. Wait as the Solaris operating environment is installed on the system.

    A log of the installation (how the system was installed) is saved to the following files:

    • Before the system reboots - /a/var/sadm/system/logs/upgrade_log

    • After system reboots - /var/sadm/system/logs/upgrade_log

How to Back Up a System

  1. Become superuser.

  2. Shut down the system.


    # init 0
    
  3. Bring the system to run level S (single-user mode).

    Use the -s option when you boot the system.

  4. (Optional) Check the file system for consistency with the fsck command.

    Running the fsck command using the -m option checks for consistency for file systems. For example, power failure can leave files in an inconsistent state.


    # fsck -m /dev/rdsk/device-name
    
  5. If you will be backing up file systems onto a remote tape drive:

    1. Add the following entry to the ./rhosts file of the system that is initiating the backup:


      host root
      
    2. Verify that the host name added to the /.rhosts file above is accessible via the local /etc/inet/hosts file or available NIS or NIS+ name sever.

  6. Identify the device name of the tape drive.

    The default tape drive is /dev/rmt/0.

  7. Insert a tape that is not write protected into the tape drive.

  8. Back up file systems using one of ufsdump commands listed in Table 6-3.

    Table 6-3 Full Backup Commands

    To Do Full Backups To... 

    Use This Command... 

    Local diskette 

    ufsdump9ucf /vol/dev/ files_to_backup

    Local cartridge tape drive 

    ufsdump9ucf /dev/rmt files_to_backup

    Remote cartridge tape drive 

    ufsdump0ucf remote_host:/ files_to_backup

  9. When prompted, remove the tape and replace it with the next volume.

  10. Label each tape with the volume number, level, date, system name, and file system.

  11. Bring the system back to run level 3 by pressing Control-d.

  12. Verify the backup was successful by using the ufsrestore command to display the tape contents.