Chapter 5 - Disaster Recovery for VINES
To use NetWorker to back up a VINES server, the VINES server must be running the EBR agent. This chapter explains procedures to follow when using the EBR agent to recover system files as well as how to prepare for and recover from a major disk failure. An important part of safeguarding your data in the event of a disk failure is scheduling full and incremental backups.
1. Create a VINES System Configuration backup tape. See "How to Back Up the VINES System Configuration Files" in this chapter of the guide.
2. Use NetWorker to back up your VINES servers as you would any server. Use the procedures detailed in the Legato NetWorker Administrator's Guide.
How to Back Up the VINES System Configuration Files
As part of your preparation for disaster recovery, you should have a VINES System Configuration backup created using the VINES Backup and Restore utility. This backup should be done whenever changes are made to StreetTalk on the server containing the system configuration files, or when changes are made to the system configuration, such as changes to TCP/IP setup. You will use this backup in the event of a failure of the primary disk; therefore, it should be as current as possible.
1. After EBR agent has been installed on the server, create a VINES System Configuration backup tape or disk, using the standard VINES backup/restore utility. Do this immediately after EBR agent is installed and configured, and whenever StreetTalk information stored on that server is changed.
2. Select Backup/Restore from the Operator Menu on the VINES server console.
3. Select Backup from the Backup/Restore Menu.
4. Select System Configuration Backup from the backup menu, and, when prompted, select Confirm Readability of the backup.
5. After the backup completes, store it in a safe, but convenient, location. You will need this backup if the boot disk is damaged or destroyed.
To recover from a disk failure, perform the steps listed below. Detailed instructions are located in this chapter. If your VINES server is completely destroyed, do the following:
1. Repair or replace the hardware.
2. Reinstall VINES, including the System Configuration files that you previously backed up.
If you are installing VINES 7.x, be sure to select the EBR installation option during the VINES installation so that you will not have to reinstall EBR agent later.
If you installed VINES 6.10 and above, up to but not including VINES 7.0, you must reinstall the EBR agent software.
3. Use the EBR menu on the VINES server console to recover data. Do this step from the server to which you are recovering data.
Note: Step 2 above also restores the TCP/IP settings. If the reinstallation does not restore the TCP/IP settings, you must do so.
After repairing or replacing the damaged disk, format it and use the following procedure to reinstall VINES. Before completing Step 3 of this procedure, you may need to check your existing bootstrap information that was generated when you backed up your server. Use the printed bootstrap information to locate the correct media volume containing the data you are restoring.
1. Re-install VINES from the distribution media.
The VINES installation procedure prompts "Do you want to reload a complete system backup (y/n):" Enter Y.
2. Select Continue with System Rebuild from the System Rebuild menu.
3. When prompted, insert the VINES System Configuration backup media and choose Continue to start the restore operation.
When the restore operation is complete, you are prompted to "Load Next Incremental in Series" or "Continue with Installation."
4. Choose "Continue with Installation."
VINES initializes the Mail service, if there is one, and loads the device drivers. Shortly thereafter, the Service Monitor initializes. Any services that exist with blank data areas show a status of inoperative. This typically occurs if the data area has not yet been restored.
5. If you are installing VINES 7.0 or above, reinstall the EBR agent from the distribution media.
6. After installing EBR, reboot the server to start the portmapper so the EBR agent can start.
You can use NetWorker to back up a VINES server. The EBR agent software must be installed and running on the VINES server. NetWorker communicates with the EBR agent during the backup process. The EBR agent performs functions such as retrieving files from the VINES server, packaging files, and restoring files on the VINES server. NetWorker is unable to manage files on a VINES server, instead it communicates with the EBR agent software so that the EBR agent handles the file management tasks.
Installing the EBR Agent on VINES 6.x
1. Log in to the network as a user who is on the AdminList of each server to which you will apply the patch.
2. Use DOS commands to select the drive from which you will be installing EBR (either the diskette or a network drive) as the active drive. For example, to install from a diskette in drive A:, enter the following commands at the DOS prompt:
A:
CD \EBR
DIRThe EBR directory includes the EBR agent and service executables that you install using the VINES 6.00 patch utility.
3. To install server executables, enter:
CD server
If you want to install EBR components on multiple servers, enter:
PATCH
If you want to install EBR components on a specific server, enter:
PATCH servername
servername is the name of a specific server on which you want to install the EBR components.
4. From the Patch Utility Menu, choose Install Patches. The Select Patch Names screen appears and displays the following text:
1 - EBR 1.1 Agent Installation 95/07/xx Range: 6.00(0)-7.00(0)
2 - EBR 1.1 Service Installation 95/07/xx Range: 6.00(0)-7.00(0)
3 - EBR 1.1 VINES 6.00 compatibility patch: 95/07/xx Range: 6.00(0)-7.00(0)
4 - VINES 6.00(10) Jukebox device drivers 95/07/xx Range: 6.00(10)-7.00(0)5. Use the arrow keys to select patch #1 for any VINES server. Press ENTER to select. Press F10 when you have selected the patch you wish to apply. Do not select any patches other than #1.
6. If you specified a servername in step 3, proceed to step 8.
If you are installing EBR components on multiple servers, the Available Servers screen appears. The Available Servers screen displays information specific to each server selected, including its patch range. If the selected server's patch range is outside the range specified for this patch, you cannot apply this patch on that server.
7. Use the arrow keys to scroll through the list of available servers and choose one or more on which to install the selected EBR server components. To select a server, press ENTER. Pressing ENTER a second time deselects the server.
When you select a server, a line on the Available Servers screen displays information about that server. The following character codes may appear:
$ - Indicates that you selected the server
Z - Indicates that the server provides your Z drive
R - Indicates that the server is your routing server
AT, MC, or SMP - Indicates the server platformThe number that appears beside the server name indicates its position on the list of servers to be patched. For example: ...Z...R...AT.... 6 -$Admin1
This line indicates that server Admin1, an AT server, is the sixth server on the available servers list. In addition, the line indicates that Admin1 is the VINES file server (Z) and routing server (R) for this workstation.
8. After you select the patches to apply and the servers you want to patch, either:
- Press F10 to begin the installation as soon as possible (ASAP).
or:
- Specify the desired installation time. Press F4 to specify a later time for the installation to begin. Press Enter to continue.
9. Press F10. The Patch Utility begins copying files from the server directory.
Patch informs you of the total number of files being copied and incrementally displays the file numbers being copied. For example, a message similar to one of the following may appear:
Copying 57 files to server Admin1
Copying file #18Files are copied to a temporary directory on the server until the time arrives for the component to be applied. The patches are applied to the selected servers at the time you specified on the Display Install Time screen or ASAP if you did not specify a time.
10. Install the EBR agent software option code that enables the EBR agent only. See "To Install the EBR Software Option Code" later in this guide.
11. After you install the desired EBR components and the software option code on a server, you may use MSERVICE to create and manage the service.
Installing the EBR Agent on VINES 7.X or VINES 8.x
Prior to performing this procedure, you need to have re-installed your VINES software including the System Configuration files. If you opted to reinstall the EBR software from the VINES distribution media, you do not have to complete this procedure. EBR was installed during the installation of your VINES software. If you did not opt to install EBR at that time, complete this procedure before continuing with the restore.
1. From the Operator Menu on the VINES server console, select Shut Down Server Software.
2. From the Shut Down Menu, select Shut down services and return console to Operator Menu.
3. Insert the VINES 7.X or 8.X release media CD-ROM in the server CD-ROM drive.
4. From the Operator Menu, select Backup/Restore.
5. Select Reload EBR Files from Release Media. The system responds with this prompt:
If EBR files are reloaded, the server will automatically be rebooted.
Do you wish to continue? [y/n]:6. Answer the prompt. The default is Y.
If you patched the server since installing the base software, you must reapply the most recent patch after loading EBR. The system checks for devices and prompts as follows:
DEVICE Drive found -- Do you want to load EBR Files from DEVICE? [y/n]:
The first device is the CD ROM. If you answer N to CDROM, TAPE is the next device. If you answer N to TAPE, the system assumes you want to use diskettes and prompts you to continue. The default for these prompts is N.
7. Answer the prompts appropriately.
- If you answer N to all three prompts, you return to the Backup/Restore menu.
- If you answer Y, the system loads the EBR files and reboots the server. Reapply a patch if so instructed in step 6.
8. Install the EBR server agent software option code. See "To Install the EBR Software Option Code," which follows.
9. After installing the EBR server agent and the EBR software option code, use a Banyan server management tool to create the service. You must reboot the server before you start the agent.
In order to use the EBR option, you must have an Option Code. The Option Code is provided with the EBR Client Component software when you purchase the EBR option. Services must be shut down to install the option code.
To Install the EBR Software Option Code
1. From the Operator Menu on the server console, select Shut Down Server Software.
2. From the Shut Down Menu, select Shut down services and return console to Operator Menu.
3. From the Operator Menu, select System Maintenance.
4. Select Manage Software Options.
5. Select INSTALL options.
6. Select Install OPTION CODE options.
7. Enter the 14-digit Option Code and the 3-digit Option Enabler at the prompts.
8. Press ESC until you return to the System Maintenance Menu.
9. Select Return to Operator Menu.
10. Select Restart Services.
Using EBR Server Agent to Restore VINES Services
Before restoring a mail service, make sure the mail service is shut down. See Appendix A for information on the commands used in this procedure.
Note: When you enter data during this procedure, such as server names, enter the data exactly as they were entered when they were defined. All entries are case-sensitive. If a name contains spaces, enclose the name in quotes (" ") or the EBR agent will not accept it.
1. Select Backup/Restore from the Operator Menu.
2. Select Enterprise Backup/Restore (EBR) from the Backup/Restore menu.
3. When prompted, enter the VINES administrator's StreetTalk name and password.
4. Verify that the server you are doing the recover on is looking for its files on the correct NetWorker server. Select Change Recover Source from the Enterprise Backup/Restore menu.
5. Locate the parameter "Use the EBR service on server:_______".
6. If you need to access a recover source (server) other than what is displayed, enter the name of the Windows NT NetWorker server that backed up the system.
7. Select Recover Server Data from the Enterprise Backup/Restore menu.
8. When prompted, select Continue to continue the current operation.
- If the data is valid, a list of services (alias view) is displayed followed by the EBR recover prompt (\\>). This list can be displayed by typing DIR. The list of commands can be displayed by typing ?
- If the data is not valid, you receive the message "unable to initialize alias root."
9. Using mark, select all services you want recovered. In this case, it would be all services on the Boot/Primary disk:
\\> mark servicename
You may use this command as many times as necessary. Be careful to mark the mail service, file service, and StreetTalk Directory Assistance service that you are recovering.
You could also select all services:
\\> mark *
and then deselect those services you do not want restored with unmark:
\\> unmark servicename
10. If you want to recover versions other than the most recent version, complete these steps:
- To choose the versions you want restored, you can review the backup time by entering:
\\> versions
- Mark the version you want to use:
\\> change time
- Enter the time.
11. To display which tape volumes are needed for the restore operation, enter:
\\> volumes
You can now locate the media containing those volumes.
12. To force an overwrite of existing files, enter:
\\> force
If you do not use force, you are prompted to accept the overwrite on any duplicate (existing) files.
Note: This is necessary because the data restored from the VINES System Configuration backup could be out of date.
13. Go back to the server console and enter:
\\> recover
This starts the recovery procedure.
14. Insert the first volume listed in the output of volumes into the tape drive.
15. On a NetWorker server, access the NetWorker Administrator module and mount the volume you just inserted into the drive.
16. Messages similar to these display:
Recovering 13794 files into their original locations. Total estimated disk space needed for recover is 246MB Not all Volumes are on-line (some off-line) SNI1.003 at /dev/rct4 SNI1.004
17. At the prompt "Proceed with Recover command at this time? [Y]", press Enter for yes. Check the Pending messages window in the NetWorker Administrator module to review the status.
18. After the restore is complete, enter:
\\>quit
A log file of the recover process displays.
19. To save the log file as a file, press F4. By default the log file is saved to drive Z.
20. If you are doing a full disaster recovery, reboot your computer.
The console operations described in this section are accomplished by using the Enterprise Backup and Restore menu options. The Enterprise Backup/Restore (EBR) menu is accessible from the Backup/Restore menu.
The Enterprise Backup/Restore menu provides the functionality you need to perform some of the Recovery operations previously described in this chapter. The functions available from the Enterprise Backup/Restore menu are briefly described here. See the VINES EBR Administrator's Guide for detailed information and procedures.
To access the EBR main menu, follow these steps:
1. Select Backup/Restore from the Operator Menu.
2. Select Enterprise Backup/Restore (EBR) from the Backup/Restore Menu. You are prompted for your username and password, which are verified and stored for later use by those EBR Console operations that need them.
3. Enter your StreetTalk username and password. The EBR Main Menu appears.
When EBR Agent is installed, the following functions on the Enterprise/Backup Restore menu are not operational:
- 4 - Index Maintenance
- 5 - Local Tape Operations
- 9 - Configure EBR Mail User
The other functions on the Enterprise Backup/Restore menu are operational and briefly described below. For additional information, refer to the VINES EBR Administrator's Guide and the VINES EBR User's Guide.
To use Recover Server Data, you must be a member of AdminList@ServerName@Servers where ServerName is the name of the server on which you are using the console.
1. To recover backup data to a server, select Recover Server Data from the Enterprise Backup/Restore menu and press Enter. The Confirm Operation screen appears, prompting you to continue with the recover operation.
- If you select CONTINUE, the recover submenu appears.
- If you select ABORT, the EBR main menu appears.
The recover submenu provides access to the recover browser. Server data is organized in the recover browser hierarchical file system directory in a DOS or UNIX® view. The recover browser displays the following information:
- Services hosted on the server, listed by StreetTalk name. These always appear at the top of the hierarchy where the recover browser starts looking for data to recover.
- StreetTalk groups listed by StreetTalk name.
- Mailboxes (if the server hosts a mail service) listed by the owner's StreetTalk name.
- Mail Folders (if the server hosts a mail service) listed by folder name.
- Files and directories in VINES Files services listed by DOS name. Information about files and directories can be configured using the VIEW subcommand.
Verifying Recoverability of Data
Use this function to verify that backup data can be recovered, without actually recovering any data.
1. Select Verify Recoverability of Data from the Enterprise Backup and Restore menu and press Enter.
The Confirm Operation screen appears, asking if you want to continue with the verify operation.
2. Select CONTINUE. The verify screen appears. You can browse your server's on-line index of backup data.
In addition, you can build a recover list of services, directories, and files that can be verified as recoverable.
3. To verify recoverability of data, use the recover browser to scroll through the index of saved data and build a recover list using mark and unmark. When you type verify from within the verify submenu, all the steps needed to recover the data (finding the volume, reading the tape, and so on) are performed, but the data is not recovered.
Changing the File Service Viewpoint
By default, the recover browser displays files in VINES file services by their DOS names. Use this function to choose a different default view for recover and verify operations.
1. Select Set Default File Service View from the Enterprise Backup and Restore menu and press Enter.
2. Select the default view.
You can display files in DOS or OS/2, Macintosh, or UNIX views.
If you need to recover data backed up by a different NetWorker service and from a different VINES server, you can change either of these defaults using Change Recover Source from the main menu before running recover or verify. This menu offers you two choices:
Use the EBR Service on server: servername
This is the name of the Windows NT server running the NetWorker service, or the name of the NetWorker server. Use this field to specify the server that has the online index you want to access.
Recover/Verify data backed up from server: servername
Use this field to specify the name of the client whose online index you want to access. The client is an EBR agent.