HP XC System Software Installation Guide Version 3.2.1

NOTE: If you are not sure what version of the HP XC System Software is installed on the system,
enter the following command:
# cat /etc/hptc-release
5.1.2 Is Upgrading Appropriate for Your System Configuration?
An upgrade path from previous HP XC System Software releases to Version 3.2.1 is provided,
but HP recommends a new installation of Version 3.2.1. This recommendation is consistent with
other Linux vendors, who also recommend a new installation rather than an upgrade because
the Linux upgrade operation has a lower probability of success and does not provide a consistent
experience. In some cases, some Linux RPMs might fail to operate properly after the upgrade.
An upgraded system is similar, but not identical to, a freshly installed Version 3.2.1 HP XC
system. Compatibility RPMs are missing on upgraded systems (*.i386 versions), and a portion
of the RPMs from the previous release remains on an upgraded system.
IMPORTANT: By default, HP XC System Software Version 3.2.1 installs and uses the OFED
InfiniBand software stack, even if you are currently using Voltaire InfiniBand. If you want to
continue using the Voltaire InfiniBand software stack, you will need to switch back after upgrading
to HP XC 3.2.1. Refer to Switching From the OFED Software Stack To the Voltaire Software Stock
HowTo for more information.
5.1.3 Upgrade Characteristics
Before you begin an upgrade, become familiar with the upgrade characteristics listed in Table 5-2.
Table 5-2 Upgrade Characteristics
DescriptionCharacteristic
A period of system down time occurs because all nodes have to be
shut down to upgrade to the next release. Therefore, to minimize
user interruption, schedule the upgrade for a time when system use
and user activity is low. For your site, this might be over the weekend
or during a week of down time.
Affect on system availability
The upgrade does not affect licensing. If you did not add nodes to
your existing system, your current HP XC license is still valid, and
you do not require a new HP XC license.
Affect on HP XC licensing
It takes approximately 10 minutes to upgrade the RPMs on the head
node.
The following items also influence the time it takes to complete the
entire upgrade process:
• The time required for cluster_config processing and the time
it takes to re-create the golden image
• The number of nodes to be reimaged. The more nodes in the
configuration, the longer the upgrade takes.
• Reinstalling or upgrading the additional software that might
have been installed previously on the HP XC system (such as
other HP products, third-party applications, and open source
software)
• The time required to upgrade firmware on XC nodes, SFS nodes,
switches, and adapter cards
Time to complete the upgrade
The upgrade process attempts to upgrade all Linux and HP XC
RPMs installed on the system.
Affect on existing RPMs
122 Upgrading Your HP XC System To This Release