DR Question

[brian_31]

Assume a server crashes and we have to access the data from one of its disks (recovering from backup will take a longer time) what are our options to use that disk from the crashed server and attach it to another box and recover/access data from it?

Can i just attach it and vgscan it?

Brian

[Pedro Cirne]

Hi Brian,

Are you talking about internal disks?

You can also use vgexport/vgimport, but you must be prepared for the crash and have a "map file" somewhere of the VG that you want to move to another server.

This only works on a VG base, not a PV base, I mean, you need to export/import the entire VG (all the disks belonging to the VG)and move all the disks to the alternative server.

Enjoy :)

Pedro

[Robert-Jan Goossens]

Hi Brian,

Add on to above answer.

Create on a regular base (script via cron) a map file of your systems volume group and copy it to the other system in a save place.

Good doc is.

Document description: Exporting / Importing a vg to relocate it on another system
Document id: KBRC00015462

http://www4.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docLocale=en_US&docId=200000079971042

Hope this helps,
Robert-Jan

[Alessandro Pilati]

Take the disk, attach it to another server and run:
insf -e

Run "ioscan -fnC disk" to see if you see the new disk attached;
Then run:

mkdir /dev/vgnew

mknod /dev/vgnew/group c 64 0x030000

vgimport /dev/vgnew /dev/dsk/

Then activate your VG:

vgchange -a y /dev/vgnew

Now you have your Vg imported on your new system.

Bye,
Alex

[brian_31]

Can i run vgscan after attaching it?

Brian

[Torsten.]

Hi Brian,

the use of vgimport combined with the mapfile is the prefered method. I would not use vgscan here.

[Alan Meyer_4]

Have you investigated putting this application under ServiceGuard? This seems like the direction you are heading with this...