Create new boot locations using partitions of hard disk

[som_86408]

Hi,

How to create a new boot locations using partition of hard disk?

We have two F5 unit in Active/Standby and the active F5 is showing two partitions. But in Standby F5 unit I am seeing only one partition so I want to create another partition in Standby F5 unit and then will do version upgrade. Not sure how it was deleted.

In Standby - [som@NUL-DYOD-DMZ-F5-1:Standby] ~ switchboot -l

Current boot image: HD1.1 - BIG-IP 9.4.8 Build 407.0 Default boot image: HD1.1 - BIG-IP 9.4.8 Build 407.0

Available boot image(s):

HD1.1 - BIG-IP 9.4.8 Build 407.0

In Active-

[som@NUL-DYOD-DMZ-F5-2:Active] ~ switchboot -l

Current boot image: HD1.2 - BIG-IP 9.4.8 Build 407.0 Default boot image: HD1.2 - BIG-IP 9.4.8 Build 407.0

Available boot image(s):

HD1.1 - BIG-IP 10.2.4 Build 577.0

HD1.2 - BIG-IP 9.4.8 Build 407.0

Thanks Somnath

[nitass]

We have two F5 unit in Active/Standby and the active F5 is showing two partitions. But in Standby F5 unit I am seeing only one partition so I want to create another partition in Standby F5 unit and then will do version upgrade. Not sure how it was deleted.

for partition formatting scheme, i understand it is not displayed if no software is installed but it is there.

[som_86408]

so how can i see it or how to create another partition i.e. HD1.3? The aim is to install the new software image in HD1.1 or HD1.3 so that an any time I can rolled back to v9.4.8 installed in HD1.1 by using switchboot command.

Thanks Somnath

[nitass]

so how can i see it or how to create another partition i.e. HD1.3?

i understand partition disk formatting scheme has only 2 slots (i.e. HD1.1 and HD1.2). if you want more, you have to use volume disk formatting scheme.

[som_86408]

how can i see HD1.1 or create? Can you please provide the details, commands?

[nitass]

how can i see HD1.1 or create? Can you please provide the details, commands?

you mean volume disk formatting scheme, don't you? there is create-volume option when installing.

e.g.

root@(ve11a)(cfg-sync In Sync)(Active)(/Common)(tmos) show sys soft

---------------------------------------------------
Sys::Software Status
Volume  Product  Version    Build  Active    Status
---------------------------------------------------
HD1.1    BIG-IP   11.5.0  0.0.221      no  complete
HD1.2    BIG-IP   11.5.1  0.0.110     yes  complete
HD1.3      none     none     none      no  complete

root@(ve11a)(cfg-sync In Sync)(Active)(/Common)(tmos) install sys software image BIGIP-11.5.1.0.0.110.iso volume HD1.4 ?
Options:
  create-volume  Create the volume specified by the volume property
  reboot         Reboot the system

root@(ve11a)(cfg-sync In Sync)(Active)(/Common)(tmos) install sys software image BIGIP-11.5.1.0.0.110.iso volume HD1.4 create-volume

for partition disk formatting scheme, i understand you would see both HD1.1 and HD1.2 when installing software/hotfix (i.e. im command).

[som_86408]

yes, you are correct I would like to see both HD1.1 and HD1.2 when installing software/hotfix but I have checked the commands and these are not working.

[som@NUL-DYOD-DMZ-F5-1:Standby] ~ show sys soft -bash: show: command not found

[somnath@NUL-PROD-DMZ-F5-1:Standby] ~ b sys soft BIGpipe parsing error: 012e0008:3: The requested command (sys soft) is invalid

[Cory_50405]

From bash, you'll need to run 'tmsh show sys soft'

[nitass]

yes, you are correct I would like to see both HD1.1 and HD1.2 when installing software/hotfix but I have checked the commands and these are not working.

don't you see both HD1.1 and HD1.2 when running im command?

tmsh command i used is for volume disk formatting scheme.

[som_86408]

how can I go to bash prompt to run "show sys soft" this command?

[Cory_50405]

show sys soft is run from tmsh. To get into tmsh from bash, just type 'tmsh'

[som_86408]

I am getting this error-

[somnath@NUL-PROD-DMZ-F5-1:Standby] ~ !/bin/bash /bin/bash [somnath@NUL-PROD-DMZ-F5-1:Standby] ~ tmsh bash: tmsh: command not found [somnath@NUL-PROD-DMZ-F5-1:Standby] ~

[somnath@NUL-PROD-DMZ-F5-1:Standby] ~ tmsh bash: tmsh: command not found

[Cory_50405]

From bash, run: tmsh show sys soft From tmsh, run: show sys soft

[som_86408]

my F5 box is running on 9.4.8, can you please give me the steps/command to go to bash & tmsh prompt?

[som_86408]

can you please let me know -- how to go to bash prompt? I have !/bin/bash but not working.

[Cory_50405]

Looks like you're already in bash shell. Wasn't aware you were on v9. I don't have a v9 box so I can't be of much help.

[Antonio_Bitto_1]

Hi! From bash to tmsh you just have to enter "tmsh" command, while to go back to bash from tmsh you have to enter the "run /util bash" command! Hope it may still help you!

[som_86408]

getting this error- [somnath@NUL-PROD-DMZ-F5-1:Standby] ~ tmsh show sys soft -bash: tmsh: command not found [somnath@NUL-PROD-DMZ-F5-1:Standby] ~

[Mauricio_Pena]

If this still helps or can help anybody...

You can remove Boot Locations/volumes from Disk Management (this partition must be inactive)

System>Disk Management.

Click over the Hard Disk name, in my case HD1

Then on the contained Software Volumes check the box for the inactive volume you want to delete.

Click on [Delete...]

To create a partition...this can be done while installing an image..

System>Software Management>-Inage List

From the available Images section check the box of the ISO that you want to install

Then when the Install Software Image window pop-ups, on the Volume set name field you can type a number or a name. (If this number or name doesn't match with an existing name the BIG-IP will create a new Boot Location/ Volume using the name you entered)

And then click install

If you entered .3 the Boot Location name will be: HD1.3

If you entered mypartition the Boot Location name will be HD1.mypartition

The image should be now installing on a new partition.

If you don't see this happening, refresh the page.