Creating Similar VG in another HOST

[Ranjith_5]

Hi,

I have got 2 VGs which is a part of an RAC. viz, vg_rac1 and VG_rac2. Each of this VGs are having 30 LVs.I am testing the raw filesystem backup. I have taken the backup of these LVs. now I want to create the same kind of VGs on another host and try restoring my backup.

I want to know whether there is any easy method to create a similar volume group like VG_rac1 and VG_rac2. I know that importing a vg is easy. But it takes the same PVs which I dont want , i want to use a different PV for this new volumes group. Any idea?

Regards,
Syam

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi,

Are you using a SAN sisk system ? Is there any tools for cloning LUNs ?

Another, possible way is to do a rawdisk backup of the physical volume and restore to a identical volume on a different host.

[Ranjith_5]

Hi ,

Thnaks for your reply.I use netbackup for taking raw volume backup. I think whicle restoring it need the same raw lvs int he destination too. Thats why I want to create the same type of raw lvs in the destination..I feel I need to write a script to make the process of creating 60 new LVs easier..If you find any other idea pls share.

Regards,
Syam

[Ranjith_5]

I am using PVs which are from a VA7400. There are no other tools to clone the disk.

Regards,
Syam

[Steven E. Protter]

I have found that Ignite backups do preserve raw database files and contents if the database is down. That can be used for replicatoin.

That was with adabas (Software AG) raw database files, which provided better performance.

In general however, the only supported and reliable backup I knew was to use database utilities.

My Oracle experience is similar.

You can probably use vgexport/vgimport and backups of the vg configuration to recreate the volume groups on the second VG. Just take the configuration files and then try to vgimport.

Thats my suggestion for what its worth.

SEP

[Gavin Clarke]

I thought Command View, Business Copy did this?

Although I'm also under the impression that you have to pay for it.

[Ranjith_5]

SEP,

but if i do a vgexport and vgimport it will include the same PVs in the new VG also right..But i want to create a fresh VG with the same LVM information in /dev/vg_rac1 on my RAC server. Any shortcuts? now I am writing a shell script to create all this 60 LVs in my test server. I wanted to complete the restoration testing by EOD.

Regards
Syam

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi,
vgexport/import is not of any help on an empty phusical volume (LUN). It had benn different if it was possible for you to clone a LUN in the disk system and then present the LUN to the new host, and then using vgscan/vgimport. Many high end disk sustem has such options but, perhaps not VA disks.

I would check again if Netbackup can go rawdisk restores to different host (I have used that method with Data Protector). If not, it seems as your only option is "the hard way".

[Gavin Clarke]

Leif, I'm pretty sure you can copy LUNs using business copy (commandview) on VA7400.

It is instantaneous as it just writes to both areas on the disks.

I'm also pretty sure that you have to buy a license to use this feature of the VA.

[Ranjith_5]

Hi All,

I just created a script to restore the same LV info on my newly created VG. I could create 60 new LVs in just 30 seconds with a customised 60 different LV name. I took 10-15 mins to write the script. Thanks for all your inputs. I also understand there is no other shortcuts other than scripting.

Regards,
Syam

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi,

Gavin,

I am not familar with the VA disks (we uses EVA) but, if Buisness Copy is avialable for VA it should do the trick very easy. But if this user has no license, it is of no help.

[morganelan]

I think you can create map file from your source server and import this map file to your destination server.

[Gavin Clarke]

Leif, you're right, it is of no help without expense and it certainly won't be ready by EOD.

I just thought that it was another option that might be worth considering if making a copy of a LUN/some LUNs for a backup was the goal, which it seems like it is to me.

I also wanted you to learn something about the VA7400, you might find it helpful one day (maybe).

[Ranjith_5]

Morganelan ,

import export will not work here coz we have to create a new VG. My PVs are going to be different one.

Gavin,

I completed the task before EOD..:-) did it through a script and it took aroung 15 mins to make..any ay problem got resolved.
Thank you very much for all your responses.

Regards,
Syam

[Gavin Clarke]

Syam,

I pleased to see that you did it, I realised from your first post about the script.

I guess I'm just trying say that if you did want to use the array to do the copy, then you could.

Have a jolly weekend.