83.1 GroupWise Server Migration Utility

During its operation, the GroupWise Server Migration Utility prompts for some restricted-access information. It also modifies critical GroupWise agent startup files. This section explains why.

83.1.1 Source Server Credentials

The Server Migration Utility prompts for a user ID and password that provides read/write access to the NetWare or Windows server so that the Linux server can mount the source server with read/write access.

In addition, the Server Migration Utility needs read/write access to the domain or post office directory that is being migrated. Read/write access enables the Server Migration Utility to copy the contents of the post office directory or domain directory, including the post office database and domain database, so that file locking is respected while the data is being copied, File locking prevents database damage.

83.1.2 Destination Server root Password

The Server Migration Utility prompts for the root password so that it can mount the NetWare volume or the Windows share to the Linux file system. It also needs the root password in order to communicate with the SSH (secure shell) daemon on the Linux server. The SSH daemon allows root access for the utility to install the GroupWise RPMs, to run the programs required for migration locally on the Linux server, and to create and save the Linux agent startup files.

In addition, root permissions might be required to write the post office or domain data to the Linux server, depending on where the user decided to locate the post office or domain. After the migration, the user can configure the GroupWise agents to run as a non-root user for improved security, as described in Running the Linux GroupWise Agents as a Non-root User in Installing GroupWise Agents in the GroupWise 7 Installation Guide.

83.1.3 Agent Startup Files

When the Server Migration Utility migrates an agent, the only change it makes to its startup file is to modify the --home switch to point to the new location of the post office or domain on the Linux server. Existing switch settings are retained, except for paths and IP addresses that would be invalid in the new Linux environment.