Preparing the Computer

To prepare your existing server for the NetWare 6 operating system, do the following:

• Back up the NetWare server files
• Prepare application files
• Verify a valid DOS partition
• Access the upgrade program

Backing Up the NetWare Server Files

Make at least one backup of your NetWare server files, including files on the DOS partition. Do not attempt an upgrade without a backup.

Preparing Application Files Prior to Upgrading

Some applications require that you prepare the files prior to upgrading.

Preparing IBM WebSphere Application Server for NetWare Files (Conditional)

If the server has been running IBM* WebSphere Application Server for NetWare, you must migrate your existing Web applications using the migration utility included with NetWare 6. The utility migrates WebSphere Web applications to Tomcat 3.3 Web applications.

Migrate WebSphere Applications

1. At the NetWare server system console, enter XMLCONFIG -EXPORT volume_name:\websphere\migrate.xml adminNodeName NodeName

   NOTE:  If you installed WebSphere to a different directory, specify that directory.

2. Complete the upgrade to NetWare 6.

3. After the upgrade, continue migrating the applications by following the instructions in "Migrating from WebSphere to Tomcat in Getting Results with Novell Web Services.

Preparing Servers Running ZENworks for Server 2 (Conditional)

If the server is running ZENworks for Servers 2, you must install ZENworks for Servers 2 Support Pack 1 prior to upgrading the server to NetWare 6.

ZENworks for Servers 2 Support Pack and related information can be obtained from Novell Technical Support.

Verify a Valid DOS Partition

Your NetWare server uses the DOS partition to start the computer and load NetWare. Many of the existing NetWare startup files will be replaced with new NetWare 6 files. In addition, the DOS partition must exceed the minimum amount of available space to accommodate new NetWare 6 files.

If the DOS partition does not have enough available space, you cannot upgrade the server. You must create a new DOS partition and install a new server. See Setting Up NetWare 6 .

HINT:  If your computer does not meet the minimum requirements, you might try using the Novell Migration Wizard utility to migrate data to another computer. For more information, see www.novell.com/documentation.

Access the Installation Files

NetWare 6 can be upgraded from the server's local CD drive or from installation files located on the network. To access the NetWare 6 installation files, complete the following steps.

1. Insert the NetWare 6 Operating System CD and boot the computer.

2. Complete one of the following:

   • If the computer boots from the CD, follow the on-screen prompts and skip to Selecting the Language and Accepting the License Agreement .
   • If the computer does not boot from the CD, continue with the following steps.

3. Boot your computer with DOS 3.3 or later.

4. Access the NetWare 6 Operating System CD.

   If you install CD drivers to the disk drive, make sure that the logical filename of your CD drive (specified in the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files) is not CDROM or CDINST.

5. Make sure that the CONFIG.SYS file contains the FILES=100 and BUFFERS=30 commands.

6. (Conditional) To upgrade from NetWare 6 files located on a network, install the Novell Client for DOS and Windows 3.1x or IP Server Connection Utility software located on the Novell Client CD.