System Startup, Configuration, and Shutdown Reference Manual > Chapter 3 System Startup Functions

Updating the Operating System

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This section provides general information on using the MPE/iX and initial system loader (ISL) commands, options, and utilities to update the operating system of a HP e3000 (Series 900).

CAUTION: Specific update and installation instructions are subject to change. This manual provides you with an overview of the procedures involved.

For more specific information on using MPE/iX and initial system loader (ISL) commands, options, and utilities to update your operating system for a particular new release, refer to the appropriate version of HP e3000 MPE/iX System Software Maintenance Manual. This manual is included with the software tapes for each new release and contains information specific for that release.

The ISL Utility

The ISL utility UPDATE is more commonly used than INSTALL. The UPDATE utility replaces the base system files on the system disk with those from a boot tape. Optionally, you can update the configuration data files in the group CONFIG.SYS.

Before any other files are restored, UPDATE verifies that the system disk is a valid main system disk. If not, UPDATE halts with an error message.

The UPDATE utility is primarily used to replace a current version of the operating system with another version, but you can also use the UPDATE utility to aid in recovering from a severe system failure.

If your system fails, you have many options to use to help recover your system. Use UPDATE as a recovery method only after doing the following:

attempting a START RECOVERY
attempting a START NORECOVERY
ensuring the validity of your START procedure
ensuring that your hardware, hardware code, and current software are functioning properly

CAUTION: Do not attempt to use UPDATE to restore your system without reading the Backdating Your System Appendix in HP e3000 MPE/iX System Software Maintenance Manual.

Scheduling a System Update

If you are using the UPDATE facility as a recovery method, the opportunity to schedule your system's UPDATE is probably not available to you. Take time to thoroughly examine the UPDATE process before using it as a recovery method. Understanding the UPDATE process can reduce system operator and system manager errors and, therefore, reduce your system's downtime.

If you are using the UPDATE utility to replace a current version of the operating system with a newer version, schedule the update for off-peak hours. The update procedure can take up to four hours, depending on the system and the number of subsystem products you have purchased. To reduce the time involved in ensuring the integrity of your backups, schedule the UPDATE immediately after a full system backup.

Using the UPDATE Utility and Options

The command to invoke the UPDATE utility is UPDATE. The utility has two initial options, CONFIG/NOCONFIG and START/NOSTART, with additional options if START is selected:


  UPDATE[{ ;CONFIG       [{ ;START
           ;NOCONFIG}]      ;NOSTART } [options]]

  where options are:  [;LOGON=acct] [GROUP=cgn]
  [{ ;SINGLE-DISC     [{ ;SINGLE-USER
     ;MULTI-DISC  }]     ;MULTI-USER  }]

  [{ ;SYSSTART
     ;NOSYSSTART  }]

The CONFIG/NOCONFIG option allows you to indicate whether you wish to replace the configuration files in the group CONFIG.SYS on disk with any that may exist in the group CONFIG.SYS on the tape. (The CONFIG.SYS group on a factory tape is empty; however, a customer-generated tape may contain configuration data.)

The START/NOSTART option allows you to choose whether or not to autoboot once the update is complete. If you specify START as an option, or accept it as the default, the remaining START options become available.

Refer to Table 3-4 Summary of System Startup Function for more information on the START options available for an update. Enter the options in any order, and separate them from the command and other options by a blank or semicolon.

Entering the command UPDATE without listing any options:


  ISL> UPDATE

is the same as specifying the following default options:


  ISL> UPDATE NOCONFIG START GROUP=CONFIG LOGON=&

  OPERATOR.SYS MULTI-DISC MULTI-USER SYSSTART

The UPDATE utility with its default options instructs the system to perform these tasks:

update the existing operating system without replacing the configuration data files on disk
autoboot the system from disk after the update is completed
use the configuration group CONFIG.SYS
attempt to log on in the user account OPERATOR.SYS (if there is no OPERATOR.SYS user, you will see the MPE prompt)
bring up all volumes present on the system.
allow access to all mounted volumes by all users
execute the commands in the system startup file, SYSSTART.PUB.SYS, if it is present

Restarting of jobs is not permitted after either an UPDATE or an INSTALL, because no jobs exist after an UPDATE or an INSTALL.

Updating the Operating System: a Preview

NOTE: Each customer installation or update is somewhat different. Examine the processes described for areas you may need to customize to fit your system. The following Hewlett-Packard publications will prove useful for updating your system:

HP e3000 MPE/iX System Software Maintenance Manual
MPE/iX Commands Reference Manual
Configuring Systems for Terminals, Printers, and Other Serial Devices
HP e3000/iX Network Planning and Configuration Guide

Booting the system to MPE/iX using the UPDATE utility may involve preliminary steps depending upon the particulars of your system and its usage.

Some of the preliminary steps are listed below:

backing up system data
limiting system use
deactivating network services
renaming any system files you wish to maintain
reserving adequate disk space
Once you are ready to begin the operating system update, the following are required steps of the process:
updating from the system load tape
restoring the FOS tape
restoring the SUBSYS tape
creating a customized system load tape
updating with the customized system load tape
returning to normal operation

Updating the System Configuration: a Preview

If you are updating just the configuration of your system and not the operating system, then you have already created the customized SLT, as in step 9 above. You did this when you made your configuration changes in SYSGEN and did a KEEP. This information was transferred to the CSLT at the end of the update process. The following steps are a subset of an operating system update:

backing up system data
limiting system use
deactivating network services
renaming any system files you wish to maintain
Once you are ready to begin the configuration update, the following are required steps of the process:
updating with the customized system load tape
returning to normal operation

Updating to Recover from System Failure: a Preview

If your system fails, you have many options to use to help recover your system. Use the UPDATE utility as a recovery method only after doing the following:

attempting a START RECOVERY
attempting a START NORECOVERY
ensuring the validity of your START procedure
ensuring your hardware, hardware code, and current software are functioning properly
reserving adequate disk space
Once you are ready to begin the recovery update, the following are required steps of the process. These steps are a subset of an operating system update.
updating with the customized system load tape
restoring the backup tapes
returning to normal operation

CAUTION: Do not attempt to use UPDATE to restore your system without reading the Backdating Your System Appendix in HP e3000 MPE/iX System Software Maintenance Manual.

Backing up the System and Retaining the Current Configuration

Before updating your system, ensure that you have complete backup tapes. If up-to-date backups do not exist, reschedule the update. The backups provide a method of restoring your data if difficulties arise during the update.

You should also retain a hard copy of your system's current configuration. If you use the CONFIG option with UPDATE, UPDATE replaces the configuration files in the group CONFIG.SYS on disk with any that may exist in the CONFIG.SYS on the system load tape (SLT). If you use this option, you can unintentionally replace your system's current configuration files with the ones that UPDATE provides. In the event of an unintended replacement, if you have a listing of your current configuration, you can easily regenerate your system's current configuration.

Use SYSGEN to generate current configuration listings. For information on using SYSGEN, refer to Chapter 4 Using the System Generator (SYSGEN)

The above information has provided you with an overview of the update process. If you are planning to update your system, please follow the instructions in the HP e3000 MPE/iX System Software Maintenance Manual which came with the system tapes.

Starting the System

Installing the Operating System