What are the machine ID and serial number used for? Added: 05/03/02
The machine (or software) ID # is not the same as the system serial #.
Here is my attempt at summarizing what the two #'s mean and how they can
be obtained:
Machine ID #
============
This number uniquely identifies a machine. It is usually 10 digits. It
is used by HP and some 3rd party vendors for associating a software
license with a particular machine. The number is stored on the system
board and can only be changed by an HP support technician. It can be
obtained using one of the following methods:
$ uname -i # standard method
$ getconf CS_MACHINE_IDENT # 11.11 and later only
# print_manifest | grep "Software ID:" # if Ignite-UX is installed
# (must be root)
According to Dave Peter <dave.peter@eu.citrix.com>, some older
workstations (735s for example) do not have unique machine ID #s.
System Serial #
==============
I don't think this number is unique among all HP systems. I'm guessing
that it's at least unique only among systems with the same model #.
Unlike the machine ID #, it is not stored on the system board. In fact,
on older machines and non-factory-installed machines, it is not stored
anywhere on the system, even on disk.
On more recent factory-Ignited machines (As, Ls, Ns, etc..), the serial
number is stored in the file
'/var/opt/ignite/local/manifest/manifest.seed'
You can check if the serial number is stored in this file by executing
the
following command as root:
# print_manifest | grep "Serial number:"
If the above command doesn't produce any output, you'll have to find the
serial number the old-fashioned way. Look for it in the documents that
shipped with the machine or on a sticker somewhere on the machine itself.
Once you've found the serial number, use the following undocumented
method
to store it, along with your company's name, in the 'manifest.seed' file:
# echo 'SERIAL xxxxxxxxxx'
>>/var/opt/ignite/local/manifest/manifest.seed
# echo 'CUSTOMER "My Company, Inc."' \
>>/var/opt/ignite/local/manifest/manifest.seed
Now give 'print_manifest' another try. You should see the serial # and
your company's name in the output.
Another command that is supposed to print the serial # on 11.11 and later
is:
# getconf CS_MACHINE_SERIAL
However, I have not been able to get this command to print anything other
than a blank line. It apparently does not read from the 'manifest.seed'
file is used by Ignite-UX.
---
If you have a system which does not support FRU IDs (currently every
system
except the N- and L-Class) take a look into the predictive configuration.
The serial no. should be entered there. On a V2500/V2600 you can execute
the
command 'jf-ccmd_info' on the TestStation.
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