7.2 Cross-Platform Issues for NSS Volumes

If you plan to move NSS pools and volumes cross-platform between NetWare and Linux servers, consider the following guidelines:

7.2.1 Guidelines for File Systems on Linux Servers

OES 2 Linux requires a Linux POSIX file system volume for the operating system, such as Ext3. The following guidelines apply:

  • You cannot install the Linux operating system on an NSS volume.

  • Use NSS on Linux only as data pools and volumes.

  • You cannot SAN boot Linux cross-platform.

  • You cannot move Linux POSIX file systems cross-platform to a NetWare server.

  • You can move NSS volumes cross-platform to a Linux server.

  • NSS volumes that were originally created on NetWare can be moved cross-platform from NetWare to Linux. If both platforms support the same media format, Linux volumes can be moved cross-platform from Linux to NetWare.

7.2.2 Guidelines for File Systems on NetWare Servers

NetWare uses an NSS pool (sys) and volume (sys:) for the operating system. Upgraded NetWare systems can optionally keep a NetWare Traditional volume as the system volume. The following guidelines apply:

  • You cannot install the NetWare operating system on a Linux POSIX file system volume or on an NSS volume on Linux.

  • You cannot create or mount Linux POSIX file systems on a NetWare server.

  • You cannot SAN boot NetWare cross-platform.

  • You should not move an NSS system volume from NetWare to Linux unless you intend to use it as a data volume (or not at all) while it is mounted on the Linux server.

    At install time, OES 2 Linux sets up a sys: volume with the Linux path of /usr/novell/sys, and creates an NCP volume for it in the /etc/opt/novell/ncpserv.conf file. The sys: volume contains the same login and public directories that exist on NetWare. These directories let Novell clients run commands for logging in, mapping drives, and so on, as well as providing the means for client commands to be run from login scripts.

  • If you move an NSS system pool cross-platform, any volumes it contains function as data volumes on Linux, including the sys: volume.

  • You can create an NSS data volume on NetWare, and then move the volume cross-platform to Linux.

  • If you use shared pools in a cluster, only pools that are originally created on NetWare can be migrated or failed back from Linux to NetWare. Mixed-platform clusters are supported only for rolling cluster conversions from NetWare to Linux.