Disk image backups of AIX (risc) server . . .
I am a windows guy whos just had an AIX 5.1 IBM eServer p5 550 (risc processor) system dumped in my lap to support.
Although the drives on this IBM eServer are mirrored, Im very concerned about backup & recovery.
Id like to use a tool like Acronis to boot from CD, and snapshot the drives to an external or network drive.
Im just at the beginning stages of this project, so I dont even know basic things yet like if the same boot cd that works with intel processors will work with IBM RISC (Im guessing not).
I only have one of these servers, which is the production box, so being a non unix guy, I dont want to install software in production just to create the boot cd which is essentially the process under acronis/windows.
I should mention we are a VMware shop, so if I could p2v the aix 5.1 unix server, then run it virtually, maybe that might provide some interesting options for backup as well (although I dont know the vendor of this stand-a-lone system will support it running in a vm).
Also: are there any gotchas or issues when restoring an image backup in this environment? I think in Vista, Ive heard of some shocking horror-stories on image restores.
Any thoughts would be very much appreciated,
Thanks,
Mike
Although the drives on this IBM eServer are mirrored, Im very concerned about backup & recovery.
Id like to use a tool like Acronis to boot from CD, and snapshot the drives to an external or network drive.
Im just at the beginning stages of this project, so I dont even know basic things yet like if the same boot cd that works with intel processors will work with IBM RISC (Im guessing not).
I only have one of these servers, which is the production box, so being a non unix guy, I dont want to install software in production just to create the boot cd which is essentially the process under acronis/windows.
I should mention we are a VMware shop, so if I could p2v the aix 5.1 unix server, then run it virtually, maybe that might provide some interesting options for backup as well (although I dont know the vendor of this stand-a-lone system will support it running in a vm).
Also: are there any gotchas or issues when restoring an image backup in this environment? I think in Vista, Ive heard of some shocking horror-stories on image restores.
Any thoughts would be very much appreciated,
Thanks,
Mike
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Thanks All,
I think were going to buy the vendor recommended tape drive so we can use their standard backup/restore. This is a vendor turn-key system, so I think using their standard makes good sense.
Regards,
Mike
I think were going to buy the vendor recommended tape drive so we can use their standard backup/restore. This is a vendor turn-key system, so I think using their standard makes good sense.
Regards,
Mike
The "just works" hack does mt manipulations with nonrewinding device and is able tp put vg backups along with mksysb...
Mksysb needs bootable tape drive. Vendor may recommend LTO4 that will require microcode updates before restore (not included in mksysb)
Mksysb needs bootable tape drive. Vendor may recommend LTO4 that will require microcode updates before restore (not included in mksysb)
ASKER
Thanks. I'll ask the vendor about that. Thanks again everyone for the info,
Mike
Mike
ASKER
The folder containing the application (and application) are compressed to a single file each night, which is then FTP'd to our windows file server.
And yes: I am concerned about losing both halves of the mirror (especially since I'm not physically in the computer room each day)
The other reason I really want a disk image backup is that I'd like to: shut down the system, remove both drives, put in two blanks and see if a image restore works.
All this mksysb , etc., scares the heck out this windows guy
I do have an inquiry in with Acrons to see if their product might work from a boot from cd motif.
The more I think of it, I doubt the VM thing will be an option because there is a physical modem connected for vendor support.
Thanks,
Mike