AIX Version 4.3 Differences Guide

file when restoring a mksysb or installing the base operating system from
CD-ROM, tape, or NIM server.
The EXISTING_SYSTEM_OVERWRITE variable now has three possible values,
provided in Table 26, which determine the action taken.
Table 26. Possible Values of EXISTING_SYSTEM_OVERWRITE
EXISTING_SYSTEM_OVERWRITE=
any
no
yes
Action Taken
Any disk can be used for the system install. This
is the behavior of the ’yes’ option on releases prior
to AIX 4.3.2.
Only disks containing no volume groups (user
defined or previous rootvg) can be used.
Only disks in the current rootvg, or containing no
volume groups, can be used for the system install
The value of EXISTING_SYSTEM_OVERWRITE is only examined if the
bosinst.data file also sets PROMPT=no and INSTALL_METHOD=overwrite.
6.19 New Diagnostic Service Aid (4.3.2)
The diagnostics subsystem in AIX 4.3.2 has been enhanced by the addition of a
system memory exerciser, which can be used to check system memory on CHRP
systems. The tool is implemented as a service aid and is only available when
running on-line diagnostics in service or maintenance modes. Service mode
diagnostics are entered when the machine boots in service mode. Maintenance
mode diagnostics are entered by first taking the machine to maintenance mode
using the shutdown -m command.
The machine to be tested is required to have the bos.acct package installed and
paging space of at least one and a half times the amount of physical memory. The
service aid will exit with an error if the bos.acct package is not installed. If the
paging space requirement is not met, the service aid will give a warning message
informing the user that it is not possible to test the maximum amount of physical
memory.
The service aid will then display the memory exerciser options screen, which
allows the user to select the characteristics of the testing that will be performed.
The service aid memory exerciser options screen is shown in Figure 31.
System Management and Utilities 143