Chapter 5 - Viewing Backup Information
To help you manage backup/restore activity, several tools are available from the server console menus. These tools allow you to examine the contents of backup media and obtain information about backup/restore activity occurring at the server.
This section explains how to examine the contents of the backup media.
When examining the contents of a backup, you can choose from among the following three methods of viewing the contents:
List Services on Backup - Indicates the type of backup contained on the media and lists the services found on the backup, in the order in which they are found.
List All Files on Backup - Indicates the type of backup and lists the files that were backed up for each file service. To preserve system security, for services other than files services, only the number of files backed up is shown; the filenames are not listed. Also indicates when a service contains no files.
You can view the files from one of three file system viewpoints: DOS or OS/2 File Allocation Table (FAT), Macintosh, or UNIX. Viewing files from a specific viewpoint is useful if you need to restore files for a particular platform.
List Files for a Service on Backup - Indicates the type of backup and lists the services and files found on the backup.
You can view the files from one of three file system viewpoints: DOS or OS/2 File Allocation Table (FAT), Macintosh, or UNIX.
To List the Services on the Backup
1. From the Operator Menu, select Backup/Restore. The Backup/Restore Menu appears.
2. Select Examine Backup. The Examine Backup Menu appears.
3. Select List Services on Backup. The Insert Media screen appears.
4. Insert the backup tape or diskette into the drive.
5. Select one of the following:
- CONTINUE to proceed. A list of the services found on the backup appears. Continue with step 6.
- ABORT to cancel the operation. The Examine Backup Menu appears.
6. Press CTRL-D or PAGE DOWN to scroll down through the list. Press CTRL-U or PAGE UP to scroll up through the list.
7. When you are finished viewing the list of services, press ENTER to complete the procedure. The Examine Backup Menu appears.
You can save the list of services on the backup to a file. Refer to the "To Save the List of VINES Services on the Backup to a DOS File" which follows.
To Save the List of VINES Services on the Backup to a DOS File
1. Press F4 to save the contents of the current listing to a DOS file. The Enter Filename screen appears.
2. Do one of the following:
- To save the file in the DOS\USA directory, move the cursor to the right of the pathname, and enter a filename in DOS 8.3 format. Press ENTER.
- To save the file in a different VINES Files directory, enter the path and filename. Press ENTER.
The file is created in the specified directory and the Examine Backup Menu appears.
Note: If you limit the filename to eight characters and the file extension to three characters, the DOS text file can be seen from all viewpoints. Using a name that does not conform to standard DOS format may produce an error or a truncated version of the filename may appear.
If you store the file in a subdirectory, the file can be seen if the subdirectory can be viewed from all file system viewpoints.
Note: If VINES Files is not running on your server, the following error message appears when you attempt to save the display information to a file:
Unable to write file /disk1/BFS/VINESFiles/pathname/filename
To List All Files on the Backup
1. From the Operator Menu, select Backup/Restore. The Backup/Restore Menu appears.
2. Select Examine Backup. The Examine Backup Menu appears.
3. Select List All Files on Backup. The Insert Media screen appears.
4. Insert the backup tape or diskette into the drive
5. Select one of the following:
- CONTINUE to proceed. Continue with step 6.
- ABORT to cancel the operation. The Examine Backup Menu appears.
6. One of the following occurs:
- If the backup contains file services, the Select Viewpoint Menu appears. Continue with step 7.
- If the backup contains no file services, the following message appears as the drive reads the backup media:
Reading of backup in progress...
The Examine Backup Menu appears and lists the number of files and directories contained in each service on the backup. Skip to step 8.
7. Select the file system viewpoint to use. The Examine Backup Menu appears. For each files service on the backup, the screen displays a list of the files visible from the specified viewpoint.
The viewpoint you select determines which files appear in the listing. Only files visible from that viewpoint appear on the list. You may select only one viewpoint.
The list of services on the backup may include services that are not file services. If a service is not a file service, the screen does not display a list of files for the service. Instead, one of the following messages appears:
Service backup contains no files
This message indicates that the service is present on the backup, but contains no data files.
Service backup has n file(s) in n directory(ies) not visible from any viewpoint.
This message indicates that the backup contains files for this service, but for system security, the files are not listed by name.
8. When you are finished viewing the list of files, press ENTER to complete the procedure. The Examine Backup Menu appears. You can save the list of services on the backup to a file. Refer to the "To Save the List of Files on the Backup to a DOS File" which follows.
To Save the List of Files on the Backup to a DOS File
1. Press F4 to save the contents of the current listing to a DOS file. The Enter Filename screen appears.
2. Do one of the following:
- To save the file in the DOS\USA directory, move the cursor to the right of the pathname, and enter a filename in DOS eight-dot-three format. Press ENTER.
- To save the file in a different VINES Files directory, enter the path and filename. Press ENTER.
The file is created in the specified directory and the Examine Backup Menu appears.
Note: If you limit the filename to eight characters and the file extension to three characters, the DOS text file can be seen from all viewpoints. Using a name that does not conform to standard DOS format may produce an error or a truncated version of the filename may appear.
If you store the file in a subdirectory, the file can be seen if the subdirectory can be viewed from all file system viewpoints.
Note: If VINES Files is not running on your server, the following error message appears when you attempt to save the display information to a file:
Unable to write file /disk1/BFS/VINESFiles/pathname/filename
To List the Files for a Single Service on the Backup
1. From the Operator Menu, select Backup/Restore. The Backup/Restore Menu appears.
2. Select Examine Backup. The Examine Backup Menu appears.
3. Select List Files for a Service on Backup. The Insert Media screen appears.
4. Insert the backup tape or diskette into the drive.
5. Select one of the following:
- CONTINUE to proceed. Continue with step 6.
- ABORT to cancel the operation. The Examine Backup Menu appears.
6. One of the following occurs:
- If the backup contains multiple services, the Select Service Menu appears and lists the services available on the backup. Continue with step 7.
- If the backup is a single-service backup, the service is checked to determine whether it is a file service. Skip to step 8.
7. Select the service for which you want to view files. The Select Viewpoint Menu appears. Skip to step 9.
8. One of the following occurs:
- If the single service backup does not contain a file service, the following message appears as the drive reads the backup media:
Reading of backup in progress...
The Examine Backup Menu appears and lists the number of files and directories contained in each service on the backup. Skip to step 10.
- If the backup contains file services, the Select Viewpoint Menu appears. Continue with step 9.
9. Select a file system viewpoint. The viewpoint you select determines which files appear in the listing.
The Examine Backup Menu appears and lists the files visible from the specified viewpoint. Only files visible from that viewpoint appear on the list. You may select only one viewpoint.
Services other than file services may also appear on the list, but no names are supplied for the files in those services. Instead, one of the following messages appears:
Service backup contains no files
This message indicates that the service is present on the backup, but contains no data files.
Service backup has n file(s) in n directory(ies) not visible from any viewpoint.
This message indicates that the backup contains files for this service, but that for system security reasons the files are not listed by name.
10. When you are finished viewing the list of files, press ENTER to complete the procedure. The Examine Backup Menu appears. You can save the list of services on the backup to a file. Refer to "To Save the List of Files on the Backup to a DOS File," which follows.
To Save the List of Files on the Backup to a DOS File
1. Press F4 to save the contents of the current listing to a DOS file. The Enter Filename screen appears.
2. Do one of the following:
- To save the file in the DOS\USA directory, press the right arrow key eight times, then enter a filename in DOS eight-dot-three format. Press ENTER.
- To save the file in a different VINES Files directory, enter the path and filename. Press ENTER.
The file is created in the specified directory and the Examine Backup Menu appears.
Note: If you limit the filename to eight characters and the file extension to three characters, the DOS text file can be seen from all viewpoints. Using a name that does not conform to standard DOS format may produce an error or a truncated version of the filename may appear.
If you store the file in a subdirectory, the file can be seen if the subdirectory can be viewed from all file system viewpoints.
3. When you are finished, press ESC. The Backup Menu appears.
Note: If VINES Files is not running on your server, the following error message appears when you attempt to save the display information to a file:
Unable to write file /disk1/BFS/VINESFiles/pathname/filename
Viewing Information About Backup/Restore Activity on the Server
This section explains how to view information about Backup/Restore activities and write the information to a file.
The server maintains information related to the following events:
Backup History - Displays the backup activity that occurs at a server beginning with the most recent complete system backup.
Restore History - Displays a history of restores that goes back to the creation of the most recent complete system backup. See Chapter 6 for information.
Backup/Restore Logs - Display backups, scheduled backups, restorations, or all Backup and Restores that occurred on the previous day.
Displaying the Current Backup History
The Current Backup History for a server records the dates of the last complete system backup and the incremental backups performed since that last complete system backup. The Current Backup History does not record information about service backups.
To Display the Current Backup History
1. From the Operator Menu, select Backup/Restore. The Backup/Restore Menu appears.
2. Select Display Current Backup/Restore History. The Current Backup History screen appears.
The following information appears:
Backup - For each backup, displays a number that indicates its place in the sequence of backups. A complete backup is always assigned the number 1, the first incremental is 2, and so forth.
Type - Indicates whether a complete or incremental backup occurred.
Date - Lists the date and time that the backup was created.
Rev - Lists the revision of the server on which the backup was created.
Changes Since - For incremental backups, displays the number of an earlier backup to indicate the incremental backup range in effect when the backup occurred. The incremental backup includes changes since the backup whose number appears.
Note: A complete system backup overwrites any previous history up to and including the last complete system backup. Incremental backups are recorded up to and including the last complete system backup. Service backups are never listed. A complete system rebuild also erases the current history. (For information on a system rebuild, see Chapter 7.)
Displaying the Backup/Restore Logs
You can view information about backup/restore events and errors in the following logs:
Backup Logs - Provide information related to the following manual backups:
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Complete system backup, |
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Server configuration backup |
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Incremental system backup |
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Single-service backups |
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StreetTalk group backups |
The details of the last three backups are kept in the backup logs until further activity overwrites and replaces what is already recorded there. The backup logs do not record information about scheduled backups.
Restoration Logs - Provide information related to:
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Restoring file and service data |
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Rebuilding services or the complete system |
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Restoring information for a StreetTalk group |
The details of the last three backups are kept in the restoration logs until further activity overwrites and replaces what is already recorded there.
Scheduled Backup Logs - Provide information related to the following scheduled backups:
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Complete system backups |
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Incremental system backups |
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Single- or multiple-service backups |
These logs also record the results of tests to confirm readability. The scheduled backup logs allow you to view backup information a day at a time. The scheduled backup logs do not record information about manual backups.
Information in the scheduled backup logs is not overwritten as frequently as the information in the backup/restore trace and miscellaneous logs. If you create most of your backups automatically, check the scheduled backup logs to verify that backups proceeded properly.
Backup/Restore Trace Logs - Record all manual and scheduled backup and restore events, at a more verbose level than the backup or restoration logs. These logs provide the most information about any current backup/restore activity. For example, if you are attempting to create a backup and an unexpected event or error occurs, look at these logs before you look at the backup logs. However, these logs are overwritten more quickly than the backup or the restoration logs, because they record events in greater detail. The details of the last three backups are kept in the backup/restore trace logs until further activity overwrites and replaces what is already recorded there.
Backup/Restore Miscellaneous Logs - Record all events associated with the current backup or restore activity. The miscellaneous logs are the best source of information for intermittent or supportive program activity. They do not record specific backup or restore activities, as the other backup/restore logs do. You should ignore the miscellaneous logs unless you encounter a problem while using the Backup/Restore function.
If you encounter problems during a backup or restore operation and require assistance, contact your service representative. You may need to send a copy of the backup/restore logs and operating system logs.
For example, if you have problems with a complete system rebuild, send file copies of the restoration, trace, and miscellaneous logs to your support representative.
To View the Backup/Restore Logs
1. From the Operator Menu, select Backup/Restore. The Backup/Restore Menu appears.
2. Select Display Backup/Restore Logs. The Display Backup/Restore Logs Menu appears.
3. Select the type of log you want to view. One of the following occurs:
- If you select Scheduled Backup Logs, the Display Scheduled Backup Logs Menu appears. Continue with step 4.
- If you chose any other type of log, the log file you chose appears on the screen. Skip to step 5.
4. Select the day for which you want to view the scheduled backup logs. The scheduled backup log appears. Scheduled backup events include screen messages that appear on screen at the time that the backup is made.
5. If the log file contains more information than can fit on a single screen, press PAGE DOWN or CTRL-D to view the next screen and PAGE UP or CTRL-U to view the previous screen.
The backup logs and restoration logs can contain multiple files. These file are identified by the following names: log, oldlog, oldoldlog. The current filename appears at the top left of the screen. Only one backup/restore trace log exists.
6. Do one of the following:
- To view another file, press ENTER. The next log file appears. The name of the log file appears at the top of the screen. When you have viewed all the available log files, the Display Backup/Restore Logs Menu appears when you press ENTER.
- If you do not want to view another file, press ESC.
Spotless! File in Scheduled Backup Logs
If your scheduled backups run while the Mail Janitor is cleaning up mailboxes, the scheduled backup logs may contain the following message:
Warning: file Spotless! does not exist.
The Spotless! file is a flag file that is temporarily written to disk by the Mail Janitor after it completes the mail cleanup and is deleted before the next cleanup begins.
You can safely ignore this message - no harm is done to the system. It is recommended that you schedule backups when the Mail Janitor does not run. By default, the Mail Janitor runs at 3 a.m. For information on how to schedule the Mail Janitor, refer to the Intelligent Messaging Administrator's Guide.
Problems Encountered When Backing Up Files
After a backup completes, if all data is not backed up properly, statistics indicating the number of files and directories affected appear on the screen.
The following sections detail some possible types of backup problems.
If a file changes while you are backing it up, the file on the backup may differ from the file on the disk. The changes may not be fully backed up. If a file changes size during a backup, a message appears in the backup log.
If a hardware error (such as a tape error) occurs during a backup, the backup aborts.
You can identify hardware errors by examining the backup logs. The following example shows the log entries that appear for a typical hardware error:
02:07:36: Backing up STDA@UCHI001@Servers.
02:38:29 *** ERROR: ioctl (IOWAIT)returned error=2104
02:38:29 *** ERROR: vfstaperite file contents returned error=2104
02:38:29 *** ERROR: Unable to put status/may95.rpt
02:38:29 *** ERROR: vfsputfile/putfile returned error=2104
02:38:29 *** ERROR: vreturnh returned error=9
02:38:29 *** ERROR: close returned error=5
02:38:29 *** ERROR: banmain returned error=2104
These entries indicate that an error occurred in the tape controller or that a damaged tape exists. If such errors continue to appear in the logs following subsequent backup/restore activities, clean the heads on the tape drive (see Appendix D for instructions). Diagnostic tests available from the manufacturer of the device may assist you in determining whether the drive is functioning correctly.