Dependencies and Conditions of dataserver -b and -w Options

The effect of -b changes depending on whether -w is present.

  • -b without -w creates a new master device as named by -d (the default is d_master) and with the page size as specified by -z (the default is 2048). If the named device:

    • Already exists as an OS file – the attempt fails, and you see a message such as:
      File already exists. You must remove the existing 
      file before attempting to create a new one using 
      the server's -b option.
      Unable to create master device.
    • Names an existing raw partition – the attempt fails unless you include the-f flag. This reinitializes the raw partition as a server master device.

  • -b with -w master tells dataserver to use the size specified in -z for the master device when re-creating the master database. It implies nothing about creating a new device.

-w may or may not require additional flags if you use:
  • -w model – the -z and -b flags are accepted but ignored.

  • -w master for new installations – -z and -b are not required because the device size information is stored in the config_block.

  • -w master to upgrade older installations:

    • The server requires -b and/or -z if the config_block does not contain a valid entry for the associated size(s). The command fails if it cannot get valid data for the page size or device size.

    • Provide -b and/or -z when the config_block contains valid entries for the sizes they represent. However if the sizes do not match what is in the config_block, add -f to force your new size preferences.