System Backup questions

[KathyK]

Hi,

We have three HP systems in our site, at the present we do daily backup of user files and database. However we do not have a procedure in place for full system backup. I'm looking into incorporating the system backup with the databse backup (progress database) HPUX 11.23.

Here are some question that I need to answer so far:

1. Could make_tape_recovery be sufficient for system backup? done weekly?
2. We are concerned about the tape capacity, anyone knows if there is a difference between how much data is saved on a tape using different utilities? i.e. fbackup vs. cpio?
We have Ultrium 1-SCSI on all our systems. and using DDS IV tapes, 40GB capacity.

As always, I thank you all for your help.

Kathy

[James R. Ferguson · Accepted solution]

Hi Kathy:

First and foremost, Ignite (e.g. 'make_tape_recovery') is NOT a backup solution. Ignite is designed to capture an image of vg00 (assuming that it contains standard HP-UX logical volumes and filesystems only). This archive can then be cleanly leveraged when cloning, recovering a server after a catastrophic failure (including OS corruption), and in simply upgrading or updating an operating system version.

For any filesystem or database backup, you have to address the issue of actively changing files. For databases, this can be addressed by shutting them done or by doing "hot" backups. Various commercial utilities can offer assistance here.

That aside, use Ignite for only what it is designed.

Regards!

...JRF...

[Jaime Bolanos Rojas.]

Hi Kathy!

Like posted above, Ignite is used to restore the Operating system, and not the data used by your databases.

My advice would be to use something like Data Protector to create a good backup policy for your company, you will need this type of software, if not getting the backup policies with fbackup or cpio for example is going to be too difficult and too many things will come into play specially when dealing with databases.

Regards,

Jaime.

[KathyK]

Thank you for explaining the Ignite. Now we need to decide between cpio and fbackup.
which brings me to the second question. as for the database we already do the daily shutdown and use cpio to back it up. My concern is that if I add the whole system backup to the database backup script it might go over one tape, which then means someone has to change the tape.
therefore I'm looking to find out which utility uses better data compresion, or even maybe we need different tape drives.

[Johnson Punniyalingam]

Hi Kathy,

>>>> which brings me to the second question. as for the database we already do the daily shutdown and use cpio to back it up. My concern is that if I add the whole system backup to the database backup script it might go over one tape, which then means someone has to change the tape.
therefore I'm looking to find out which utility uses better data compresion, or even maybe we need different tape drives<<<

HP Data Protector can be most recommended Backup software utility uses better data compression .

we need different tape drives.?

Yes ,

Example:-

HP StorageWorks SSL1016 Tape Autoloader

(In this case we need not have some-one to load the tape)

Once you have placed required backup- tapes to the HP StorageWorks SSL1016 Tape Autoloader
will load tape byitself and Data proctector will fire the backup as per your schedule & backup specfication.


Thanks,
Johnson