UNIX Back-up and Recovery Utilities

Databases Based on Host Files

The following UNIX back-up and recovery utilities can be used to backup file store databases and partition databases that use host files (they cannot be used for backing up partition databases that use multiple partitions):

BACKUP This utility, located in the system root directory, is an NEC-customised utility which must be used to carry out a system back-up in order to produce a back-up tape suitable for recovering your system quickly and efficiently if a system disk failure occurs. BACKUP must therefore be run at build time and at regular intervals, after system changes have been made, in order to maintain a suitable system back-up tape.

cpio This is the simplest method of saving and restoring a file system.

Note

For detailed descriptions of the UNIX back-up and restore utilities, refer to the administrator's reference documentation supplied with your system.

Partition Databases using Multiple Partitions

The only UNIX command that can be used for backing up partition databases that use multiple partitions is dd. Its use is not recommended, however - a better way is to use one of the Reality save commands to save the database to a tape image, and then save this to tape with BACKUP or cpio.

Backup Procedures

This section outlines the recommended methods for UNIX back-up of Reality databases and other file systems.

Using BACKUP

Enter .\BACKUP  at the UNIX shell. Refer to the man page provided on your system for details of syntax and use of the BACKUP utility. If necessary, contact your NEC Software Solutions representative.

Using cpio

  1. Change to the top directory of the file system, for example:

    cd /usr/dbase

  2. Run cpio with the -o option for all files under it, for example:

    find . -depth -print | cpio -ocvB > tapeDevice

    where tapeDevice is the path of the required tape device.

Recovery Procedures

This topic outlines the recommended methods for UNIX recovery of file store databases and other file systems.

Using cpio

  1. Change to the top directory of the file system, for example:

    cd /usr/dbase

  2. Run cpio with the -i option to restore the tape contents into the /dbase file system, for example:

    cpio -icldmvB < tapeDevice

    where tapeDevice is the path of the required tape device.