topic remote backup using Fbackup in Operating System - HP-UX

remote backup using Fbackup

Anitha_3 — Sun, 12 Sep 2004 23:09:58 GMT

hi all,

when i try to fire a backup using the following command.

#fbackup -f :/dev/rmt/0m -v -i /home

it doesnt take the backup. no errors displayed.

kindly let me know any fil permissions needs to be set.

i am able to do remsh on both the systems.

thanks & regards,
Govind.

Re: remote backup using Fbackup

Steven E. Protter — Sun, 12 Sep 2004 23:24:10 GMT

hp-ux is not built to allow remote use of its tape drives.

host1 can not kick a backup to host2's tape device.

fbackup -f

-f device device specifies the name of an output file. If the
name of the file is -, fbackup writes to the standard
output. There is no default output file; at least one
must be specified. If more than one output file is
specified, fbackup uses each one successively and then
repeats in a cyclical pattern. Patterns can be used in
the device name in a manner resembling file name
expansion as done by the shell (see sh-bourne(1) and
other shell manual entries). The patterns must be
protected from expansion by the shell by quoting them.
The expansion of the pattern results in all matching

Simply can't get there from here.

Veritas Netbackup is one mondo expensive add on product that does permit HP-UX boxes to share their tape drives.

sorry about the bad news.

SEP

Re: remote backup using Fbackup

Sยภเl Kย๓คг — Sun, 12 Sep 2004 23:25:18 GMT

When you exported the NFS mount did you include suid in the exportfs for the server that is doing the fbackup? By default root access is not allowed on NFS mounts and you have to specifically include it in
exportfs.
regards
SK

Re: remote backup using Fbackup

Sunil Sharma_1 — Sun, 12 Sep 2004 23:41:16 GMT

Hi,

Your command is absolutely correct. there is no special permission set up requitred except remsh should work. create .rhosts file and setup this access. Try to run a local backup on host where atpe drive is attached to see it's working fine. Batter clean your tape drive once and use new Cartridge.

Sunil

Re: remote backup using Fbackup

Sunil Sharma_1 — Sun, 12 Sep 2004 23:44:05 GMT

Hi,

from man page of fbackup:

Only half-inch 9-track magnetic tapes or DDS-format tapes can be remote devices. The fast search and save set marks capabilities are not used when remote DDS-format devices are used.

So if you are using any other tape device it may not work.

Sunil

Re: remote backup using Fbackup

Anitha_3 — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 01:09:36 GMT

hi,

thanks for the replys.

i am able take the same backup using tar. but fbackup seems to be not working.

when i issue the fbackup command.

it will give fbackup session started. after that i am not able to see anything. and the tape device on remote machine is not in use.

thanks
Govind

Re: remote backup using Fbackup

Anitha_3 — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 01:12:26 GMT

hi sunil,

i am using the DLT Ultrium2 Drive. it works with tar. and the catridge is also new.

thanks.
Govind.

Re: remote backup using Fbackup

Sunil Sharma_1 — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 01:23:53 GMT

Hi Govind,

What is your OS version ?
just check wheather it's createing /usr/sbin/rmt or /etc/rmt process on remote server.

Sunil

Re: remote backup using Fbackup

Anitha_3 — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 01:53:26 GMT

hi sunil.

OS : HP-UX 10.2

the rmt file is created at /usr/sbin/rmt.

thanks
Govind

Re: remote backup using Fbackup

Sunil Sharma_1 — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 01:58:17 GMT

Hi Govind,

have a close look of fbackup man pages on HP UX 10.20 machine.

It says "Only half-inch 9-track magnetic tapes or DDS-format tapes can be remote devices."

I think this the reason you are not able to use Ultriam Drive as remote device.

Sunil

Re: remote backup using Fbackup

Bill Hassell — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 07:35:00 GMT

On the local machine where you are running fbackup, type this command:

remsh remotecpu uname -s

(where remotecpu is the hostname of the computer with a tape drive) If this command asks for a password, you do not have remote access on that machine. Fix .rhosts on the remote machine (as well as DNS or name resolution so the remote machine can resolve your local machine's name and IPaddr).

If you do get a response, it must be HP-UX. If not, fbackup is a proprietary backup tool and requires HP-UX to work remotely. fbackup uses the rmt program on the remote node and probably asks for some status including the drive ID. rmt is a VERY limited program and has not been updated for a long time so it very well may fail talking to a modern tape drive.

However, there is a much bigger issue: LAN speed vs. tape speed. Modern tape drives are much too fast for 100Mbit LANs and if the data does not arrive quickly enough, the tape will stop, back up, and restart over and over again. This causes severe wear on the drive and tape and reduces the backup throughput dramatically. For a small directory (a few hundred megs) it will be OK but for Gigabytes, you need to match the tape drive with the filesystem speed. NOTE: This also includes NFS which can severely impact modern tape drives. If you have any tape diag tools, ask the drive to report on buffer under-runs or re-positioning events.