DOCUMENT ID:  1273-02

SYNOPSIS:     Tips on moving a hard drive from one system to another 

OS RELEASE:   2.4
 
PRODUCT:      Solaris x86
 
KEYWORDS:     add move hard drive x86
 

DESCRIPTION:

These are things to consider if you are interested in moving a hard
drive which already contains a Solaris 2.x for x86 UFS file system from
one system to another. 


SOLUTION:

A> To be used as non-root file system drive.
  
o If you have a Solaris 2.x for x86 hard drive (currently UFS file 
  system on the hard drive), you can mount it on another system 
  without a problem as long as it is not going to replace a root 
  file system on the new system.

o Even if hard drive controllers are different between the two systems,
  you can still mount it no problem.

o  You cannot mount Sparc UFS file system drive on x86 because 
  of the architecural difference and so on.


B> To be used as root file system drive.

o For the exact same hardware configuration between the two system, it
  should work.

  Major consideration is:

  - same board type
  - same primary disk controller card 
  - same expansion slot number if EISA
  - same network card
  - same other hardware components 
  - same SCSI ID# or IDE #
  - etc.

o If hardware configuration is different, it is very tricky, and 
  difficult to do it.  

o Things to consider:

  - The root file system contains /devices entries which is unique
    depending on the system configuration.

    e.g.  x86 driver names are like:
    
        /eisa/aha@330,0/cmdk@0,0:a
        /isa/esa@1c00,0/cmdk@3,0:a
        /eisa/eha@1000,0/cmdk@6,0:a

    You may need to boot the system with 'b -r' option to reconfigure
    the devices in the /devices directory.

  - The /etc/bootrc file contains the boot-path parameter: 

        "setprop boot-path /eisa/aha@330,0/cmdk@0,0:a"

    You may need to edit the /etc/bootrc file to correct the path. 
 
  - The /etc/path_to_inst contains the device path.
    This needs to be manually edited to correct the path.

  - The /dev/(r)dsk contains files linked to the /devices directory
    with the SCSI ID or IDE # association.
    You many need to remove the /dev/dsk and /dev/rdsk directories.
    Then, recreate them by typing:

    # disks


SEE ALSO: Technotes on how to add a hard drive on x86. Technotes on how
to move a controller from one slot to another on a EISA system


DATE APPROVED: 03/26/95