Quickest method to copy files between two servers

[BLADE_1]

hi,

I need to copy oracle offline backup files (avg. filesize 2-4GB, total Database size 75GB) between two servers as one of my tape drives has conked off...which is the quickest way to copy..
FTP, RCP...

One way i have thought of is that both servers have hotswaps..so remove disks from one server and put it in other server..vgimport..mount the lvols as something do the copy and back...Will this work..could there be any problem..Both the servers has the same type of external disk storage..


rgds
nainesh

[RAC_1]

I would prefer nfs mount and copy.

Other way rcp.

Removing disks and vgimport will be lengthy procedure.

[Steven E. Protter]

I'd avoid rcp. I've had some problems with massive transfers 30 G or more when using 11.00. The systems were well patched and I had trouble bringing up the Oracle database after transfer.

ftp is a little more reliable, though nfs and a regular copy command will work as well.

I ended up having to go to my backup plan which was an fbackup, which I'd have around in any case.

Oracle data is usually important enough to have a backup plan.

p

[Michael Tully]

Hi,

You could possibly have a look at using 'rdist' to do the copy. There is a man page for it.

Aslo have a look at this document.

http://www.docs.hp.com/cgi-bin/fsearch/framedisplay?top=/hpux/onlinedocs/B2355-90147/B2355-90147_top.html&con=/hpux/onlinedocs/B2355-90147/00/00/85-con.html&toc=/hpux/onlinedocs/B2355-90147/00/00/85-toc.html&searchterms=rdist&queryid=20030202-222009

HTH
Michael

[Ravi_8]

Hi, nagarkar

I would prefer doing NFS mount and use dd/cpio to copy, where in no physical work involved.
vgimport is used in case of root disk failure

[BLADE_1]

hi,

Ravi - i guess nfs mount and dd/cpio is a good option..But i tried the vgimport on 2 disks and was able to copy the data in 2 hrs..including the configuration part..that was fast..if i go thru copy or cpio or dd still it has to pass thru the network and it will take time. FTP took around 1 hr to copy 3 GB file..

Michael : RDIST is a good suggestion from the point that its something new for me and needs to be explored..

thanx again mates..

rgds
nainesh

[Greg OBarr]

I prefer to use a combination of find, cpio, and remsh, but you have to open the machines up to each other in the /.rhosts file while you're doing the copy. Something like this:

To copy /u01 on system A to /u01 on system B:

On system A:

# find /u01 -depth -xdev|cpio -oacB| remsh systemB "cd /u01;cpio -icRBduxm"

This is the absolute fastest way I've found to copy files from one machine to another across a network and it also:
-copies links
-copies device files
-preserves permissions
-preserves data and time

Remember, you have to put systemA in systemB's /.rhosts file for the remsh to work, but you can take it out when the copy is done and if you're behind a firewall, as most are, it's not really an issue.

-greg

[Ken Hubnik_2]

Create an NFS mount and then use the copy command.

[David_246]

Hi,

why not create an NFS mount and immediatly backup that ReadOnly mounted FS ??
I think it is the fastest, however you need to know that you will be generating a lot of network traffic.

or else :

tar cvf - . | remsh "cd //dir>; tar xvf -"
(Tested and works good)

Regs David

[Shannon Petry]

Secure Shell runs in an encrypted AND compressed stream. The absolute fastest method and with relatively good error checking is secure shell.

Tar, Cpio and DD will not do CRC checking on the file from start to finish to ensure that it's good. Even with NFS checking is minor.

The file sizes you mention are supported by secure shell.

So, while other things may be more convenient, ssh is faster and more accurate.

Regards,
Shannon

[GIRIJA SWAIN]

Hi

I allways use "rsync" it is reliable and faster. You can get the download from "http://samba.anu.edu.au/rsync/documentation.html"