Restore Data - HP-UX File System iDataAgent - Full System Restore

Topics | How To | Full System Restore | Related Topics

Overview

The difference between a normal restore and a full system restore is the severity of the problem. Normally, if data is lost or removed, it is recovered from the archives using the normal restore procedures. However, when a normal restore operation cannot correct a software and/or hardware corruption problem, some additional changes may be required.

When the root file system is lost, a full system restore is required.

The full system restore procedure for HP-UX assumes (and recommends) that you use Hewlett Packard's Ignite-UX make_recovery utility software prior to the deployment of the HP-UX File System iDataAgent. See Prepare for a Full System Restore for more information.

Prepare for a Full System Restore

The full system restore procedure for HP-UX assumes (and recommends) that you use Hewlett Packard's Ignite-UX make_recovery utility software. This software is available free of charge from Hewlett Packard's website at:

http://www.software.hp.com/products/IUX/

This software ensures that the appropriate HP-UX File System iDataAgent software configuration will be preserved, and it therefore eliminates the need to mount file systems that have been lost. It saves the HP-UX File System iDataAgent software and other processing software to a "make_recovery" tape, which is loaded prior to the restore. The software also handles potential problems with the Volume Manager associated with HP-UX systems (e.g., decreasing file space).

The procedure also requires that a standalone tape device be attached to the HP-UX system. Finally, the procedure assumes (and recommends) that you install the HP-UX File System iDataAgent software within the Root Volume Group to facilitate HP-UX restores.

To prepare for a full system restore:

Ensure that you have read and understand the directives and issues in the preceding paragraphs in this section.
Download Hewlett Packard's Ignite-UX make_recovery utility software and install it. (Be sure to follow the instructions provided at Hewlett Packard's web site.)
Install the HP-UX File System iDataAgent software within the Root Volume Group.
Edit the /var/opt/ignite/recovery/makrec.append file to include the directory where the HP-UX File System iDataAgent was installed.
Ensure that the "make_recovery" tape is loaded appropriately.
Execute the correct make_recovery utility per your system's processor by issuing the appropriate command.
If your system has an Itanium processor, issue the following command:

make_tape_recovery -va <tape device>

For example:

make_tape_recovery -va /dev/rmt/0mn

If your system has a processor other than an Itanium processor, issue the following command:

make_recovery -Cv -d <tape device>

For example:

make_recovery -Cv -d /dev/rmt/0mn

This sends the HP-UX File System iDataAgent software and the other required processing software to the "make_recovery" tape.

Option -C creates a system status file that reflects the current state of the system. Include this option if you plan to use the check_recovery command to determine whether you must re-create a System Recovery tape because of a change to the system.

For details on the make_recovery utility, see the man page or documentation on Hewlett Packard's web site.
Perform a full backup using the HP-UX File System iDataAgent.

Perform a Full System Restore

Try to avoid the unconditional overwrite of the root directory on a live file system. This is a mechanism that allows an unconditional overwrite of open files in the root directory (/) on a live file system. Performing such a restore can result in an inconsistent system that may also fail to boot. Use this option AT YOUR OWN RISK.

To perform a full system restore:

Ensure that a standalone tape device is attached to the HP-UX system.
Place the "make_recovery" tape into the bootable tape drive and boot from the tape. To do this, turn the system on and use the maintenance menus.
Select N to put your system in interactive mode. Your system now has all of the files that it needs to run, and the HP-UX File System iDataAgent processes should now be up and running.
Go to the CommCell Console. Then right-click the backup set, click All Tasks, click Restore, enter / as the path to restore from, and select "restore to same paths."

Do not select Unconditional Overwrite from the Restore Options dialog box.
When restoring encrypted data, refer to Data Encryption.
Click OK to start the restore.
Verify that the restore operation has completed successfully. Then reboot the computer. The system should boot to the newly-restored root.