UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

We have a SCO OpenServer Unix server that has been damaged. Fortunately we have a good backup of the entire system (using BackupEdge.) On a new server, if we install SCO from original SCO CD's (we have all necessary activation codes) then drop the tape (we can restore with tar), will the configuration from the old machine be in tact?

If not, what is the best way to accomplish this?

Thanks! jmh

If the hardware is the same the operating system should install the same. If not, then you won't have an exact copy of the operating system and will be at some risk.

Although you say your have the install stuff, do you also have the patches?

On the systems I maintain(ed) my restores included a full install on the new hardware, all patches, all hardware device additions, add the backup edge, then do a restore from the last backup, whether from the backup hard drive or the burned CD. Helps that the programs and data have their own filesystems and that the backup is on one also.

Hardware might be a higher model (this one is from 2002) but same family so we are good there. Software is all on a separate filesystem and we should have all patches that were previously installed. So i'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thank you for your quick reply.

You will want to have your program and data filesystems attached before you do the restore, else you'll end up with programs and data loading onto root and probably crashing the system.