Yes, that will work but i still suggest that you install the OS from scratch. First, you should have a "how to build server X"-part in your documentation (if not: high time to create it). It is a good test for this procedure to actually carry it out and find out if it works to expectations - that is, ends with a satisfactorily running system.

Second, over time servers tend to accumulate settings/other customisation which is not documented and/or not necessary. If it is only not necessary this is a good way to get rid of it, because a server should always only contain the absolute minimum of necessary software. If it is undocumented but necessary (even more dangerous) then this is the time to find out.

Third, i have noticed that you have several datavgs in your DB server. What are they necessary for? It might be a good opportunity to make that on VG becauase it is one application anyway. If you don't have it by now you should also create scalable VGs instead of classical or big ones. See the man page for mkvg for this. This also answers Q2.


A new IP should pose no problem because everything should be done using DNS-names. If this is not the case you have some problems in your network organisation, but that only as an aside.

If you want to run the old and new servers in parallel you can do several things:

1) a new (temporary) IP address and name. This means you have a procedure in place to adjust your application quickly and reliably to the new hostname for the switch. The best solution is to create a script that replaces one hostname with the other and does all things necessary for this adjustment. At the given time you just let this script run so there cannot be an oversight of some necessary detail.

2) you can create a non-routed network and run the new systems with their original IPs/names there. You will need a NAT-gateway in front to access this network, which is a bit troublesome but for temporary testing purposes should be feasible. Ask you network admins if they can do that.

I hope this helps.

bakunin