Home > Articles > Operating Systems, Server > Solaris

Like this article? We recommend

Live Upgrade and Web Start Flash

Live Upgrade (LU) 2.0 software enables you to use a Web Start Flash archive to install an ABE. The following sections provide a high-level overview of the Web Start Flash technology and detail the Web Start Flash installation procedures.

Brief Overview of Web Start Flash

Web Start Flash provides a mechanism for archiving a specific (or reference) installation of the Solaris OE. You can then use that archive to install the Solaris OE. The reference installation is created from the on-disk Solaris OE, which includes all installed software. This system is designated as the master machine. The reference installation can be a Solaris OE installed by any means, for example, with JumpStart software, from CD, or by an interactive installation.

After the master machine is identified, the reference installation is captured in a Web Start Flash archive. A central feature of Web Start Flash, this archive is essentially a point-in-time snapshot of the Solaris OE, software patches, and applications on the master machine.

The Web Start Flash extensions enable you to install the archive from an NFS server or from an HTTP server, in addition to installing from a traditional JumpStart server. Additionally, you can access the archive from a disk device (including CD-ROM) or from a tape device local to the installation client. The Web Start Flash archive is transmitted over the network to the installation client and written to the disk. After the archive is written to the installation client's disk, any necessary archive modifications are performed. For example, configuration files, such as /etc/nsswitch.conf, on the installation client may need to vary from the file on the master machine. The Web Start Flash mechanism enables you to automate modifications and allows for differences in kernel architecture or device differences between the master machine and the installation client.

Additionally, Web Start Flash enables automatic resolution of partitioning differences between the master machine and the installation client. For example, if the Web Start Flash archive was created on a system with a single root (/) partition and the installation client has separate / and /var partitions, the archive automatically customizes to the installation client. Remember, the installation client partitioning must be correctly specified in the JumpStart software profile.

The Web Start Flash archive is a snapshot of a system and, as such, includes all specified files on that system. If Web Start Flash creates an archive from a system while it is in use, some files need to be cleaned up or zeroed out after the archive is installed. Examples of these types of files include log files, such as those found in /var/adm and any files in the /var/tmp directory. Log files can be easily zeroed out from a finish script after installation. In the case of temporary directories, such as the /var/tmp directory, it is recommended that they you exclude them when the Flash archive is created.

A Web Start Flash archive should be created after you install all software, but before you put the system into production. Further, depending on the software installed and the intended use for the system, you may need to create the archive after the software is installed, but before you configure the software. For example, you should create an archive for a database server or LDAP server after the database management software has been installed, but before the databases have been created and populated.

Installing the Solaris OE with a Web Start Flash archive can be dramatically faster than it is with other mechanisms, depending on factors such as network traffic and disk speeds.

For more information about using Web Start Flash, refer to the Solaris 8 Advanced Installation Guide and the Sun BluePrints book, JumpStart™ Technology: Effective Use in the Solaris&trad; Operating Environment by John S. Howard and Alex Noordergraaf (ISBN 0-13-062154-4).

Installation Using LU 2.0 With Web Start Flash

When using Web Start Flash with LU 2.0, the specified ABE is not upgraded; instead the contents of the Web Start Flash archive are extracted and installed to the specified ABE. The following tasks outline the installation process using LU with Web Start Flash.

  1. Create and populate a new BE by cloning the current OE.

  2. Upgrade the new BE to the Solaris 8 OE 10/01 using a Web Start Flash archive.

  3. Activate the new BE.

In this example, the Solaris 2.6 OE boot disk is c8t1d0s0; c0t0d0s0 will be used as the boot device for the Solaris 8 OE 10/01 ABE. The c0t0d0 disk was partitioned prior to executing the following LU commands. However, if changes to the partitioning are needed, you can implement them using the format or fmthard commands or through the Slice submenu in the lucreate command character-based user interface (CUI) when lucreate is executed without -m options.

The Web Start Flash archive used throughout these examples was created as follows:

bordeaux# flarcreate -n "Solaris 8 10/01 server image" \
> -a "j.s.howard@Sun.COM" \
> -R / \
> -x /var/tmp/f \
> /var/tmp/f/Solaris_8_2001-10.archive
Determining which filesystems will be included in the archive...
Determining the size of the archive...
The archive will be approximately 779.60MB.
Creating the archive...
1596522 blocks
Archive creation complete.

After completion, the Web Start Flash archive was transferred via ftp to the /jumpstart/FlashArchives directory of the JumpStart server travigne.

Step 1: Creating and Populating a New Boot Environment

As in the previous example, the lucreate command is used to name the existing Solaris 2.6 OE and is also used to clone the existing BE. The -c option of lucreate names the current BE and is only required when the first BE is created.

rhone# lucreate -c "Solaris2.6" -m /:/dev/dsk/c0t0d0s0:ufs \
> -m -:/dev/dsk/c0t0d0s1:swap \
> -n "Solaris8_10-2001"
Please wait while your system configuration is determined.
Determining what file systems should be in the new BE.

Searching /dev for possible BE filesystem devices
Please wait while the configuration files are updated.
Please wait. Configuration validation in progress...

****************************************************************
Beginning process of creating Boot Environment <Solaris8_10-2001>.
No more user interaction is required until this process is 
complete.
****************************************************************

Setting BE <Solaris8_10-2001> state to Not Complete.
Creating file systems on BE <Solaris8_10-2001>.
Creating <ufs> file system on </dev/dsk/c0t0d0s0>.
/dev/rdsk/c0t0d0s0:   12584484 sectors in 4356 cylinders of 27 
tracks, 107 sectors
    6144.8MB in 137 cyl groups (32 c/g, 45.14MB/g, 5632 i/g)
super-block backups (for fsck -F ufs -o b=#) at:
 32, 92592, 185152, 277712, 370272, 462832, 555392, 647952, 740512,
( newfs/mkfs output deleted for brevity )
10448560, 10541120, 10633680, 10726240, 10818800, 10911360, 
Mounting file systems for BE <Solaris8_10-2001>.
Calculating required sizes of file systems for BE <Solaris8_10-
2001>.
Populating file systems on BE <Solaris8_10-2001>.
Copying file system contents to BE <Solaris8_10-2001>.
INFORMATION: Setting asynchronous flag on ABE <Solaris8_10-2001> 
mount point </.alt.3275/> file system type <ufs>.
Copying of file system / directory </> is in progress...
Copying of file system / directory </> completed successfully.
Creating compare database for file system </>.
Updating compare database on other BEs.
Updating compare database on BE <Solaris8_10-2001>.
Compare databases updated on all BEs.
Making Boot Environment <Solaris8_10-2001> bootable.
Making the ABE bootable.
Updating ABE's /etc/vfstab file.
The update of the vfstab file on the ABE succeeded.
Updating ABE's /etc/mnttab file.
The update of the mnttab file on the ABE succeeded.
Updating ABE's /etc/dumpadm.conf file.
The update of the dumpadm.conf file on the ABE succeeded.
Updating partition ID tag on boot environment <Solaris8_10-2001> 
device </dev/rdsk/c0t0d0s2> to be root slice.
Updating boot loader for <SUNW,Ultra-60> on boot environment 
<Solaris8_10-2001> device </dev/dsk/c0t0d0s0> to match OS release.
Making the ABE <Solaris8_10-2001> bootable succeeded.
Setting BE <Solaris8_10-2001> state to Complete.
Creation of Boot Environment <Solaris8_10-2001> successful.
Creation of Boot Environment <Solaris8_10-2001> successful.

The -m options of the lucreate command are used to specify the location of the / file system and swap partition to be used by the new Solaris8_10-2001 ABE. Since the /export partition was not specified, the same /export file system (and underlying disk partition) used for the Solaris2.6 BE will be used with the Solaris8_10-2001 ABE.

Step 2: Installing the Alternate Boot Environment

To install a Web Start Flash archive into an LU BE, the luupgrade command is used with the -f option. When doing an installation using Web Start Flash, the -s option of the luupgrade command must be used to specify the location of the miniroot to be used during the installation process.

When installing a Web Start Flash archive with LU, you must specify the location of the archive. This information must be specified using one of the following methods:

  • A fully-qualified path to the archive (the -a option to luupgrade -f)

  • A command line archive specification (the -J option to luupgrade -f)

  • A JumpStart profile (the -j option to luupgrade -f)

The following three examples are all equivalent commands for installing a Web Start Flash archive into the Solaris8_10-2001 ABE. Each command is an example of installing a Web Start Flash archive using one of the preceding specification methods. You should choose the command form that is most appropriate to your needs, or environment; however, only one of these commands should be executed.

rhone# luupgrade -f -n "Solaris8_10-2001" \
> -s /net/travigne/jumpstart/OS/Solaris_8_2001-10 \
> -a /net/travigne/jumpstart/FlashArchives/ Solaris_8_2001-10.archive
Validating the contents of the media </net/travigne/jumpstart/OS/
Solaris_8_2001-10>.
The media is a standard Solaris media.
Validating the contents of the miniroot </net/travigne/jumpstart/OS/
Solaris_8_2001-10/Solaris_8/Tools/Boot>.
Constructing flash profile template to use.
Locating the flash install program.
Checking for existence of previously scheduled Live Upgrade requests.
Creating flash profile for BE <Solaris8_10-2001>.
Performing the operating system flash install of the BE <Solaris8_10-
2001>.
CAUTION: Interrupting this process may leave the boot environment 
unstable or unbootable.
The operating system flash install completed.
The Live Flash Install of the BE <Solaris8_10-2001> completed.

rhone# luupgrade -f -n "Solaris8_10-2001" \
> -s /net/travigne/jumpstart/OS/Solaris_8_2001-10 \
> -J "archive_location nfs 10.1.1.8:/jumpstart/
FlashArchives/Solaris_8_2001-10.archive"
Validating the contents of the media </net/travigne/jumpstart/OS/
Solaris_8_2001-10>.
The media is a standard Solaris media.
Validating the contents of the miniroot </net/travigne/jumpstart/OS/
Solaris_8_2001-10/Solaris_8/Tools/Boot>.
Constructing flash profile template to use.
Locating the flash install program.
Checking for existence of previously scheduled Live Upgrade requests.
Creating flash profile for BE <Solaris8_10-2001>.
Performing the operating system flash install of the BE <Solaris8_10-
2001>.
CAUTION: Interrupting this process may leave the boot environment 
unstable or unbootable.
The operating system flash install completed.
The Live Flash Install of the BE <Solaris8_10-2001> completed.

rhone# cat /net/travigne/jumpstart/Profiles/S8_2001-10-server-
Flash.profile
archive_location nfs 10.1.1.8:/jumpstart/FlashArchives/
Solaris_8_2001-10.archive
rhone# luupgrade -f -n "Solaris8_10-2001" \
> -s /net/travigne/jumpstart/OS/Solaris_8_2001-10 \
> -j /net/travigne/jumpstart/Profiles/S8_2001-10-server-
Flash.profile
Validating the contents of the media </net/travigne/jumpstart/OS/
Solaris_8_2001-10>.
The media is a standard Solaris media.
Validating the contents of the miniroot </net/travigne/jumpstart/
OS/Solaris_8_2001-10/Solaris_8/Tools/Boot>.
Constructing flash profile template to use.
Locating the flash install program.
Checking for existence of previously scheduled Live Upgrade 
requests.
Creating flash profile for BE <Solaris8_10-2001>.
Performing the operating system flash install of the BE 
<Solaris8_10-2001>.
CAUTION: Interrupting this process may leave the boot environment 
unstable or unbootable.
The operating system flash install completed.
The Live Flash Install of the BE <Solaris8_10-2001> completed.

Step 3: Activating the New Solaris Operating Environment

After the luupgrade command completes, the new Solaris8_10-2001 ABE can be selected when necessary or convenient.

rhone# lustatus
BE_name          Complete Active ActiveOnReboot CopyStatus
---------------------------------------------------------------
Solaris2.6         yes     yes      yes           -
Solaris8_10-2001   yes     no       no            -
rhone# luactivate "Solaris8_10-2001"

****************************************************************

The target boot environment has been activated. It will be used 
when you reboot. NOTE: You must use either init or shutdown when 
you reboot. If you do not use one of these commands, the system 
will not boot using the target BE.

****************************************************************

In case of a failure while booting to the target BE, the following
 process needs to be followed to fallback to the currently working 
 boot environment:

1. Enter the PROM monitor (ok prompt).

2. Change the boot device back to the original boot environment by 
typing:

   setenv boot-device rootdisk

3. Boot to the original boot environment by typing:

   boot

****************************************************************

Activation of boot environment <Solaris8_10-2001> successful.

The ABE is activated by rebooting at a convenient time as shown in the following example.

rhone# init 0
INIT: New run level: 0
The system is coming down. Please wait.
System services are now being stopped.
Print services stopped.
Stopping the syslog service.
Nov 28 16:51:22 rhone syslogd: going down on signal 15
Live Upgrade: Deactivating current boot environment <Solaris2.6>.
Live Upgrade: Executing Stop procedures for boot environment 
<Solaris2.6>.
Live Upgrade: Current boot environment is <Solaris2.6>.
Live Upgrade: New boot environment will be <Solaris8_10-2001>.
Live Upgrade: Activating boot environment <Solaris8_10-2001>.
Live Upgrade: Updating partition ID tag on boot environment 
<Solaris8_10-2001> device </dev/rdsk/c0t0d0s2> to be root slice.
fmthard: New volume table of contents now in place.
Live Upgrade: Updating boot loader for <SUNW,Ultra-60> on boot 
environment <Solaris8_10-2001> device </dev/rdsk/c0t0d0s0> to 
match OS release.
Live Upgrade: The boot device for boot environment <Solaris8_10-
2001> will be </dev/dsk/c0t0d0s0>.
Live Upgrade: Changing primary boot device to boot environment 
<Solaris8_10-2001>.
Live Upgrade: The current boot environment <Solaris2.6> boots from 
device <rootdisk disk1:a>.
Live Upgrade: The new boot environment <Solaris8_10-2001> 
boots from device <disk:a rootdisk>.
Live Upgrade: Activation of boot environment <Solaris8_10-2001> 
completed.
The system is down.
syncing file systems... done
Program terminated
{2} ok boot
Resetting ... 

screen not found.
Can't open input device.
Keyboard not present. Using ttya for input and output.

Sun Ultra 60 UPA/PCI (2 X UltraSPARC-II 450MHz), No Keyboard
OpenBoot 3.27, 2048 MB memory installed, Serial #13109146.
Ethernet address 8:0:20:c8:7:9a, Host ID: 80c8079a.
[remainder of command output removed for sake of brevity ]

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020