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Backup3G/User Guide/Initiating and Managing Backups

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-This chapter deals with the actual execution of backups; it describes how to initiate,+This section deals with the actual execution of backups; it describes how to initiate, monitor and manage jobs, and how to archive files and directories. Managing jobs involves interacting with them to hold or release them, to load and unload media and acknowledge completion. It can also involve cancelling a pending job or killing a running job.
-monitor and manage jobs, and how to archive files and directories. Managing jobs+ 
-involves interacting with them to hold or release them, to load and unload media+A backup can be run as-is, or you can temporarily change some parameters such as the run time, drive and retention period. You can also restart a failed job from an arbitrary step.
-and acknowledge completion. It can also involve cancelling a pending job or killing a+ 
-running job.+In this section it is assumed that duty3G is not being used to schedule and initiate the backup jobs. If jobs are set up as duties in duty3G, refer to the duty3G User Guide for instructions in how to manage duties. backup3G’s own scheduling facility is described in To Define Information About a Backup Job.
-A backup can be run as-is, or you can temporarily change some parameters such as+ 
-the run time, drive and retention period. You can also restart a failed job from an+<br>
-arbitrary step.+=== Background and Interactive Jobs ===
-In this chapter it is assumed that duty3G is not being used to schedule and initiate+ 
-the backup jobs. If jobs are set up as duties in duty3G, refer to the duty3G User+Jobs that you perform from the Backup console may be run in either background or interactive mode. Background jobs write messages to the log file but not to the user’s terminal; messages can be viewed in the Backup Monitor window. Interactive jobs write messages both to the log file and to the user’s terminal. This means you can monitor of the progress of a backup.
-Guide for instructions in how to manage duties. backup3G’s own scheduling facility+ 
-is described in To Define Information About a Backup Job on page 78.+The advantage of a background job, particularly on a character terminal, is that the operator doesn’t have to wait until the job is finished to perform other tasks.
-90 Initiating and Managing Backups+ 
-Background and Interactive Jobs+If you select Perform > Default from the Backup console, and the job you chose is a scheduled backup, it will run at its scheduled time; if it is an automatic or at-request job, it will be run in the background.
-Jobs that you perform from the Backup console may be run in either background or+ 
-interactive mode. Background jobs write messages to the log file but not to the user’s+If you interrupt the backup or it fails to finish for some other reason, backup3G warns you that the backup is incomplete. You have the option of keeping the backup anyway, or marking the medium as scratch.
-terminal; messages can be viewed in the Backup Monitor window. Interactive jobs+ 
-write messages both to the log file and to the user’s terminal. This means you can+<br>
-monitor of the progress of a backup.+=== Queued Jobs ===
-The advantage of a background job, particularly on a character terminal, is that the+ 
-operator doesn’t have to wait until the job is finished to perform other tasks.+If a backup3G job is assigned to a physical drive that is already being used, the second job is held until the first job ends and the drive is freed. The same applies to drive pools, where a job will be held until any drive in the pool becomes free. Thus all backup3G jobs waiting on a drive are processed in turn. For further information, refer to Drive and Device Locking.
-If you select Perform > Default from the Backup console, and the job you+ 
-chose is a scheduled backup, it will run at its scheduled time; if it is an automatic or+ 
-at-request job, it will be run in the background.+'''To run a backup using default parameters'''
-If you interrupt the backup or it fails to finish for some other reason, backup3G+ 
-warns you that the backup is incomplete. You have the option of keeping the+#Start the Backup module from the backup3G menu bar to display a list of backup jobs similar to that shown in Figure 19.
-backup anyway, or marking the medium as scratch.+#Choose the job and select Perform > Default. If the job is scheduled, but not currently outstanding, backup3G warns you that this is not the right time for the job. If the selected job is automatic, the warning message tells you that the job will be run from cron. In both cases, you have the option to proceed or exit without performing the job.<br>Backup3G prompts you to load a backup volume: Figure 20 — Load media warning
-Queued Jobs+#Load this tape or disk now, or select the Media key if you want to select a different volume (if, for example, this volume can’t be found). When you are ready, press Accept to confirm that the drive is loaded.
-If a backup3G job is assigned to a physical drive that is already being used, the second+ 
-job is held until the first job ends and the drive is freed. The same applies to+ 
-drive pools, where a job will be held until any drive in the pool becomes free. Thus+Backup3G will warn you if another job is already scheduled to use the same drive. You can still run the second job, as long as you are sure that it will finish before the scheduled job starts.
-all backup3G jobs waiting on a drive are processed in turn. For further information,+
-refer to Drive and Device Locking on page 69.+
-To run a backup using default parameters+
-1. Start the Backup module from the backup3G menu bar to display a list of+
-backup jobs similar to that shown in Figure 19.+
-Initiating and Managing Backups 91+
-Figure 19 — Backup console+
-2. Choose the job and select Perform > Default. If the job is scheduled,+
-but not currently outstanding, backup3G warns you that this is not the right+
-time for the job. If the selected job is automatic, the warning message tells+
-you that the job will be run from cron. In both cases, you have the option+
-to proceed or exit without performing the job.+
-backup3G prompts you to load a backup volume:+
-Figure 20 — Load media warning+
-92 Initiating and Managing Backups+
-3. Load this tape or disk now, or select the Media key if you want to select a+
-different volume (if, for example, this volume can’t be found). When you are+
-ready, press Accept to confirm that the drive is loaded.+
-backup3G will warn you if another job is already scheduled to use the same+
-drive. You can still run the second job, as long as you are sure that it will finish+
-before the scheduled job starts.+
Your options are: Your options are:
-Exit without starting the second job+:'''Exit''' without starting the second job
-Cancel the scheduled job and continue with this one+:'''Cancel''' the scheduled job and continue with this one
-Run the second job and leave the first one scheduled.+:'''Run''' the second job and leave the first one scheduled.
-To run a backup using changed parameters+ 
-1. Select Backup from the backup3G button bar to display the backup console.+ 
-2. Choose the job you want to run and select Perform > Changing+'''To run a backup using changed parameters'''
-params. backup3G displays the standard parameters for this backup in a+ 
-form similar to that shown in Figure 21+#Select Backup from the backup3G button bar to display the backup console.
-Figure 21 — Backup job parameters+#Choose the job you want to run and select Perform > Changingparams. backup3G displays the standard parameters for this backup in a form similar to that shown in Figure 21.
-Initiating and Managing Backups 93+#;Mode:Scheduled backups default to still being scheduled. At-request backups default to ‘background’, meaning ‘run now in background mode’.
-Mode Scheduled backups default to still being scheduled. At-request+#;Run on (day): For scheduled jobs only, you can choose to run the backup at any time. First specify a run day.
-backups default to ‘background’, meaning ‘run now in background+#;At (time): Specify the time the job should start (HH:MM, 24-hour clock).
-mode’.+#;Drive/Pool: You can choose a different drive or drive pool, for example if the usual drive is faulty or in use.
-Run on (day) For scheduled jobs only, you can choose to run the backup at any+#;Retention period: Select from the list of standard retention periods.
-time. First specify a run day.+#;Load medium now?: If you select ‘yes’ you will prompted to load a volume in the drive now. backup3G then verifies that it is valid. If you select ‘no’ this will be done when the job starts. For auto-loading devices the default is ‘no’. For manually loaded devices the default is ‘yes’.
-At (time) Specify the time the job should start (HH:MM, 24-hour clock).+#;Start at step: Usually the job starts running from the first step, but you can choose to start from another step. Use this to re-run a job from the step that failed in a previous run.
-Drive/Pool You can choose a different drive or drive pool, for example if the+#;Auto-acknowledge: Change the setting as required.
-usual drive is faulty or in use.+#Press Accept to schedule the job.
-Retention period+ 
-Select from the list of standard retention periods.+<br>
-Load medium now?+== How to Manage a Backup Job ==
-If you select ‘yes’ you will prompted to load a volume in the drive+ 
-now. backup3G then verifies that it is valid. If you select ‘no’ this+Operators can monitor and interact with a backup job between the time it is scheduled or submitted and the time it ends.
-will be done when the job starts.+ 
-For auto-loading devices the default is ‘no’. For manually loaded+<br>
-devices the default is ‘yes’.+=== Backup Monitor ===
-Start at step Usually the job starts running from the first step, but you can+ 
-choose to start from another step. Use this to re-run a job from the+The Backup Monitor is started from the main backup3G menu or toolbar. It provides a means of managing active backup and recovery jobs and log files. The monitor displays only running jobs; scheduled jobs will not appear until they actually run. When a job has finished, it disappears from the monitor, but can still be checked via the Logfiles option.
-step that failed in a previous run.+ 
-Auto-acknowledge+ Figure 22 — Backup Monitor
-Change the setting as required.+ 
-Press Accept to schedule the job.+When a backup runs, step information and completion codes are written to the job’s log file. The status of each job can be checked at any time. For example, an operator can see if a job is waiting for a manual media change, or check that certain files have
-94 Initiating and Managing Backups+been backed up successfully before starting an update job.
-How to Manage a Backup Job+ 
-Operators can monitor and interact with a backup job between the time it is scheduled+ 
-or submitted and the time it ends.+'''To monitor the status of a backup job'''
-Backup Monitor+ 
-The Backup Monitor is started from the main backup3G menu or toolbar. It provides+As shown in Figure 22, the Backup Monitor lists all jobs from when they are initiated until the backup volume is unloaded from the drive. The display is refreshed about every 40 seconds.
-a means of managing active backup and recovery jobs and log files. The monitor+ 
-displays only running jobs; scheduled jobs will not appear until they actually run.+For each job it lists Job ID and name, status, drive and media number, who initiated it and when. In addition, a detailed, dynamically updated monitoring of selected jobs can be achieved as follows:
-When a job has finished, it disappears from the monitor, but can still be checked via+#Choose the running job to be monitored
-the Logfiles option.+#Select Jobs > Monitor. backup3G displays the detailed information on the progress of the job and updates that display as new information comes available.
-Figure 22 — Backup Monitor+ 
-When a backup runs, step information and completion codes are written to the job’s+ 
-log file. The status of each job can be checked at any time. For example, an operator+'''Job status'''
-can see if a job is waiting for a manual media change, or check that certain files have+ 
-been backed up successfully before starting an update job.+Backup3G shows the current status, which is prefixed Scd, Run, End, or Attn. For scheduled jobs it shows when the job is due to start. For running jobs it shows the current process ID and step number, so you can see how far along the job is. For jobs that have ended it shows the return status.
-Initiating and Managing Backups 95+ 
-To monitor the status of a backup job+Jobs that require some action show Attn: and a short message in the status field. Example: Attn: Change media indicates that the job is waiting for an operator to load a new tape through the Change media option.
-As shown in Figure 22, the Backup Monitor lists all jobs from when they are initiated+ 
-until the backup volume is unloaded from the drive. The display is refreshed+ 
-about every 40 seconds.+'''To hold a backup job'''
-For each job it lists Job ID and name, status, drive and media number, who initiated+ 
-it and when. In addition, a detailed, dynamically updated monitoring of selected jobs+Backup jobs that have not yet started can be ‘held’, meaning that they will not start until released by an operator. You can use this, for example, to run an urgent job before other jobs that are waiting on the same drive. You can hold all the queued
-can be achieved as follows:+jobs, then release them when the urgent job ends.
-1. Choose the running job to be monitored+#Start the Backup Monitor.
-2. Select Jobs > Monitor. backup3G displays the detailed information on+#Choose the job(s).
-the progress of the job and updates that display as new information comes+#Select Jobs > Hold.
-available.+ 
-Job status+ 
-backup3G shows the current status, which is prefixed Scd, Run, End, or Attn. For+
-scheduled jobs it shows when the job is due to start. For running jobs it shows the+
-current process ID and step number, so you can see how far along the job is. For+
-jobs that have ended it shows the return status.+
-Jobs that require some action show Attn: and a short message in the status field.+
-Example: Attn: Change media indicates that the job is waiting for an operator+
-to load a new tape through the Change media option.+
-To hold a backup job+
-Backup jobs that have not yet started can be ‘held’, meaning that they will not start+
-until released by an operator. You can use this, for example, to run an urgent job+
-before other jobs that are waiting on the same drive. You can hold all the queued+
-jobs, then release them when the urgent job ends.+
-1. Start the Backup Monitor.+
-2. Choose the job(s).+
-3. Select Jobs > Hold.+
The status for these jobs in the Backup Monitor changes to ‘Held’. The status for these jobs in the Backup Monitor changes to ‘Held’.
-96 Initiating and Managing Backups+ 
-To release a held backup job+ 
-1. Start the Backup Monitor.+'''To release a held backup job'''
-2. Choose the job(s).+ 
-3. Select Jobs > Release.+#Start the Backup Monitor.
-The status for these jobs in the Backup Monitor changes back to what it was+#Choose the job(s).
-before it was held, e.g. ‘Scd’ for scheduled jobs.+#Select Jobs > Release.
-To cancel a backup job+ 
-Once a job starts running it can’t be held. If you can’t wait for the current job to+ 
-complete, you must cancel it and resubmit it later.+The status for these jobs in the Backup Monitor changes back to what it was before it was held, e.g. ‘Scd’ for scheduled jobs.
-1. Start the Backup Monitor to list details of backup jobs running now or+ 
-scheduled to be run.+ 
-2. Choose the job(s).You can only cancel one interactive job at a time.+'''To cancel a backup job'''
-3. Select Jobs > Cancel.+ 
-4. backup3G will warn you now if the job has already started running, in which+Once a job starts running it can’t be held. If you can’t wait for the current job to complete, you must cancel it and resubmit it later.
-case you can elect to kill it. If it is scheduled, but not yet started, you can+#Start the Backup Monitor to list details of backup jobs running now or scheduled to be run.
-elect to cancel it.+#Choose the job(s).You can only cancel one interactive job at a time.
-Press Kill to confirm that you don’t want to run the job.+#Select Jobs > Cancel.
-backup3G prompts you to unload the backup volume and reminds you to+#Backup3G will warn you now if the job has already started running, in which case you can elect to kill it. If it is scheduled, but not yet started, you can elect to cancel it.<br>Press Kill to confirm that you don’t want to run the job.
-acknowledge the job to remove it from the monitor.+ 
-To acknowledge completed jobs and remove from monitor+ 
-The only way to remove a completed job, whether successful, cancelled or failed, is+Backup3G prompts you to unload the backup volume and reminds you to acknowledge the job to remove it from the monitor.
-to acknowledge it by choosing the job and selecting Jobs > Acknowledge.+ 
-backup3G displays a dialog similar to that shown in Figure 23 where you can choose+ 
-the appropriate action.+'''To acknowledge completed jobs and remove from monitor'''
-If the backup job did not complete successfully, backup3G will also notify you of+ 
-this and offer you the option of keeping the backup media with current expiry date+The only way to remove a completed job, whether successful, cancelled or failed, is to acknowledge it by choosing the job and selecting Jobs > Acknowledge. backup3G displays a dialog similar to that shown in Figure 23 where you can choose the appropriate action.
-or of marking the media set as scratch.+ 
-Initiating and Managing Backups 97+If the backup job did not complete successfully, backup3G will also notify you of this and offer you the option of keeping the backup media with current expiry date or of marking the media set as scratch.
-Figure 23 — Acknowledge job completion dialog+ 
-Finally, you are prompted to unload the backup volume from the drive, at which+ Figure 23 — Acknowledge job completion dialog
-point you can opt to leave it in place if it is to be reused or remove it to the appropriate+ 
-storage area.+Finally, you are prompted to unload the backup volume from the drive, at which point you can opt to leave it in place if it is to be reused or remove it to the appropriate storage area.
-To check the log of completed backup jobs+ 
 + 
 +'''To check the log of completed backup jobs'''
 + 
There are two ways to check the status of a completed job: There are two ways to check the status of a completed job:
-1. From the Backup Monitor, choose the job and select Logfiles > Display+#From the Backup Monitor, choose the job and select Logfiles > Display to see a list of all completed jobs and whether they worked or failed. You can then select one of the jobs to display its log of messages.
-to see a list of all completed jobs and whether they worked or failed.+#From the Backup Monitor, choose the job and select Jobs > Acknowledge. backup3G displays a dialog similar to that shown in Figure 23 from where you can select the Log option.<br>Backup3G displays a log similar to that shown in Figure 24, which contains start and end times, step completion codes, and error and warning messages.
-You can then select one of the jobs to display its log of messages.+ 
-2. From the Backup Monitor, choose the job and select Jobs > Acknowledge.+ Figure 24 — Log file of completed backup job
-backup3G, displays a dialog similar to that shown in Figure 23 from+ 
-where you can select the Log option.+
-backup3G displays a log similar to that shown in Figure 24, which contains+
-start and end times, step completion codes, and error and warning messages.+
-98 Initiating and Managing Backups+
-Figure 24 — Log file of completed backup job+
If there is no information in the log, backup3G displays the message If there is no information in the log, backup3G displays the message
-scroll: No data to display+:<tt>scroll: No data to display</tt>
-Initiating and Managing Backups 99+ 
-How To Archive Files and Directories+<br>
-An archive is used to copy files from disk to a cheaper offline storage medium such+== How To Archive Files and Directories ==
-as tape, in case they are needed later.+ 
-Archives versus backups+An archive is used to copy files from disk to a cheaper offline storage medium such as tape, in case they are needed later.
-A backup copies active directories, filesystems, or database files so they can be+ 
-restored if a file is corrupted or if there is a hardware fault. The main purpose of a+ 
-backup is disaster recovery. Backup jobs run to a regular schedule. Job details are+'''Archives versus backups'''
-saved so that the backup command and other information don’t have to be reentered+ 
-each time the job is run.+A backup copies active directories, filesystems, or database files so they can be restored if a file is corrupted or if there is a hardware fault. The main purpose of a backup is disaster recovery. Backup jobs run to a regular schedule. Job details are saved so that the backup command and other information don’t have to be reentered each time the job is run.
-An archive copies files (usually inactive) from disk to a cheaper storage medium such+ 
-as tape. An archive is only run once, so the archive details are not saved. Files can be+An archive copies files (usually inactive) from disk to a cheaper storage medium such as tape. An archive is only run once, so the archive details are not saved. Files can be removed from disk when the archive finishes.
-removed from disk when the archive finishes.+ 
-Note Multi-volume archive is not supported. Each archive job must fit on a+ 
-single output tape.+----
-To archive files+;Note: Multi-volume archive is not supported. Each archive job must fit on a single output tape.
-1. Start the Archive Files module.+----
-2. Select Interactive mode to display progress messages on your terminal,+ 
-otherwise select Background mode.+ 
-Host Select the name of the host on which the directory is stored.+'''To archive files'''
-Base directory The base directory is the lowest level directory that contains all the+ 
-files and subdirectories you will archive.+#Start the Archive Files module.
-Files/sub-dirs Enter the list of files and subdirectories you want to archive,+#Select Interactive mode to display progress messages on your terminal, otherwise select Background mode.
-separated by spaces. To archive the whole base directory leave this+#;Host: Select the name of the host on which the directory is stored.
-field blank.+#;Base directory: The base directory is the lowest level directory that contains all the files and subdirectories you will archive.
-Drive/pool Select a logical drive or drive pool.+#;Files/sub-dirs: Enter the list of files and subdirectories you want to archive, separated by spaces. To archive the whole base directory leave this field blank.
-100 Initiating and Managing Backups+#;Drive/pool: Select a logical drive or drive pool.
-Retention Select a retention period. The archive volume will be available to+#;Retention: Select a retention period. The archive volume will be available to be reused after this period.
-be reused after this period.+#;Method: Select an archive method.
-Figure 25 — Archive files/directories prompt form (example)+#;Auto-acknowledge: Indicate whether backup3G is to automatically acknowledge the completed archive job.
-Method Select an archive method.+#;Index: Select ‘yes’ to create an online index of this archive.
-Auto-acknowledge+#;Remove: Select ‘yes’ to remove these files from disk after they have been archived.
-Indicate whether backup3G is to automatically acknowledge the+#;Description: This description will be written to the media table as the contents of this volume.
-completed archive job.+#Press Accept.
-Index Select ‘yes’ to create an online index of this archive.+ 
-Remove Select ‘yes’ to remove these files from disk after they have been+ 
-archived.+You are asked to load the backup medium and confirm that the job can now be started.
-Description This description will be written to the media table as the contents+ 
-of this volume.+<br>
-Now press Accept. You are asked to load the backup medium and confirm that+
-the job can now be started.+
-Initiating and Managing Backups 101+
-Example: archiving files in your home directory+
-Run a background job to archive three files and/or subdirectories from your home+
-directory. Write the archive in tar format to cartridge tape, and create an index.+
-Leave the files on disk and retain the archive for a year.+
-1. Select Background mode from the Archive module.+
-Host Select the name of the host on which the directory is stored.+
-Base directory Enter the directory name—e.g. /usr/home/jdoe+
-Files/sub-dirs Enter the file names, separated by spaces. It’s not necessary to+
-include the base directory name in the path. Example:+
-Mail/Record text.old tmp+
-Drive/pool Select ctape as the drive. If your site doesn’t have a cartridge tape+
-drive, select another tape drive name.+
-Retention Select ‘one year’.+
-Method Select ‘tar archive’.+
-Auto-acknowledge+
-Select ‘never’.+
-Index Select ‘yes’ to create an online index.+
-Remove Select ‘no’, so that the files are kept on disk.+
-Description Leave the description or enter a new one.+
-Press Accept.+
-You are now asked to load a tape in the drive. If there is already a job scheduled to+
-this drive backup3G asks you whether to continue with the archive job.When the+
-tape is correctly loaded and you press Accept, the job will start immediately.+

Current revision

This section deals with the actual execution of backups; it describes how to initiate, monitor and manage jobs, and how to archive files and directories. Managing jobs involves interacting with them to hold or release them, to load and unload media and acknowledge completion. It can also involve cancelling a pending job or killing a running job.

A backup can be run as-is, or you can temporarily change some parameters such as the run time, drive and retention period. You can also restart a failed job from an arbitrary step.

In this section it is assumed that duty3G is not being used to schedule and initiate the backup jobs. If jobs are set up as duties in duty3G, refer to the duty3G User Guide for instructions in how to manage duties. backup3G’s own scheduling facility is described in To Define Information About a Backup Job.


Contents

Background and Interactive Jobs

Jobs that you perform from the Backup console may be run in either background or interactive mode. Background jobs write messages to the log file but not to the user’s terminal; messages can be viewed in the Backup Monitor window. Interactive jobs write messages both to the log file and to the user’s terminal. This means you can monitor of the progress of a backup.

The advantage of a background job, particularly on a character terminal, is that the operator doesn’t have to wait until the job is finished to perform other tasks.

If you select Perform > Default from the Backup console, and the job you chose is a scheduled backup, it will run at its scheduled time; if it is an automatic or at-request job, it will be run in the background.

If you interrupt the backup or it fails to finish for some other reason, backup3G warns you that the backup is incomplete. You have the option of keeping the backup anyway, or marking the medium as scratch.


Queued Jobs

If a backup3G job is assigned to a physical drive that is already being used, the second job is held until the first job ends and the drive is freed. The same applies to drive pools, where a job will be held until any drive in the pool becomes free. Thus all backup3G jobs waiting on a drive are processed in turn. For further information, refer to Drive and Device Locking.


To run a backup using default parameters

  1. Start the Backup module from the backup3G menu bar to display a list of backup jobs similar to that shown in Figure 19.
  2. Choose the job and select Perform > Default. If the job is scheduled, but not currently outstanding, backup3G warns you that this is not the right time for the job. If the selected job is automatic, the warning message tells you that the job will be run from cron. In both cases, you have the option to proceed or exit without performing the job.
    Backup3G prompts you to load a backup volume: Figure 20 — Load media warning
  3. Load this tape or disk now, or select the Media key if you want to select a different volume (if, for example, this volume can’t be found). When you are ready, press Accept to confirm that the drive is loaded.


Backup3G will warn you if another job is already scheduled to use the same drive. You can still run the second job, as long as you are sure that it will finish before the scheduled job starts. Your options are:

Exit without starting the second job
Cancel the scheduled job and continue with this one
Run the second job and leave the first one scheduled.


To run a backup using changed parameters

  1. Select Backup from the backup3G button bar to display the backup console.
  2. Choose the job you want to run and select Perform > Changingparams. backup3G displays the standard parameters for this backup in a form similar to that shown in Figure 21.
    Mode
    Scheduled backups default to still being scheduled. At-request backups default to ‘background’, meaning ‘run now in background mode’.
    Run on (day)
    For scheduled jobs only, you can choose to run the backup at any time. First specify a run day.
    At (time)
    Specify the time the job should start (HH:MM, 24-hour clock).
    Drive/Pool
    You can choose a different drive or drive pool, for example if the usual drive is faulty or in use.
    Retention period
    Select from the list of standard retention periods.
    Load medium now?
    If you select ‘yes’ you will prompted to load a volume in the drive now. backup3G then verifies that it is valid. If you select ‘no’ this will be done when the job starts. For auto-loading devices the default is ‘no’. For manually loaded devices the default is ‘yes’.
    Start at step
    Usually the job starts running from the first step, but you can choose to start from another step. Use this to re-run a job from the step that failed in a previous run.
    Auto-acknowledge
    Change the setting as required.
  3. Press Accept to schedule the job.


How to Manage a Backup Job

Operators can monitor and interact with a backup job between the time it is scheduled or submitted and the time it ends.


Backup Monitor

The Backup Monitor is started from the main backup3G menu or toolbar. It provides a means of managing active backup and recovery jobs and log files. The monitor displays only running jobs; scheduled jobs will not appear until they actually run. When a job has finished, it disappears from the monitor, but can still be checked via the Logfiles option.

Figure 22 — Backup Monitor

When a backup runs, step information and completion codes are written to the job’s log file. The status of each job can be checked at any time. For example, an operator can see if a job is waiting for a manual media change, or check that certain files have been backed up successfully before starting an update job.


To monitor the status of a backup job

As shown in Figure 22, the Backup Monitor lists all jobs from when they are initiated until the backup volume is unloaded from the drive. The display is refreshed about every 40 seconds.

For each job it lists Job ID and name, status, drive and media number, who initiated it and when. In addition, a detailed, dynamically updated monitoring of selected jobs can be achieved as follows:

  1. Choose the running job to be monitored
  2. Select Jobs > Monitor. backup3G displays the detailed information on the progress of the job and updates that display as new information comes available.


Job status

Backup3G shows the current status, which is prefixed Scd, Run, End, or Attn. For scheduled jobs it shows when the job is due to start. For running jobs it shows the current process ID and step number, so you can see how far along the job is. For jobs that have ended it shows the return status.

Jobs that require some action show Attn: and a short message in the status field. Example: Attn: Change media indicates that the job is waiting for an operator to load a new tape through the Change media option.


To hold a backup job

Backup jobs that have not yet started can be ‘held’, meaning that they will not start until released by an operator. You can use this, for example, to run an urgent job before other jobs that are waiting on the same drive. You can hold all the queued jobs, then release them when the urgent job ends.

  1. Start the Backup Monitor.
  2. Choose the job(s).
  3. Select Jobs > Hold.


The status for these jobs in the Backup Monitor changes to ‘Held’.


To release a held backup job

  1. Start the Backup Monitor.
  2. Choose the job(s).
  3. Select Jobs > Release.


The status for these jobs in the Backup Monitor changes back to what it was before it was held, e.g. ‘Scd’ for scheduled jobs.


To cancel a backup job

Once a job starts running it can’t be held. If you can’t wait for the current job to complete, you must cancel it and resubmit it later.

  1. Start the Backup Monitor to list details of backup jobs running now or scheduled to be run.
  2. Choose the job(s).You can only cancel one interactive job at a time.
  3. Select Jobs > Cancel.
  4. Backup3G will warn you now if the job has already started running, in which case you can elect to kill it. If it is scheduled, but not yet started, you can elect to cancel it.
    Press Kill to confirm that you don’t want to run the job.


Backup3G prompts you to unload the backup volume and reminds you to acknowledge the job to remove it from the monitor.


To acknowledge completed jobs and remove from monitor

The only way to remove a completed job, whether successful, cancelled or failed, is to acknowledge it by choosing the job and selecting Jobs > Acknowledge. backup3G displays a dialog similar to that shown in Figure 23 where you can choose the appropriate action.

If the backup job did not complete successfully, backup3G will also notify you of this and offer you the option of keeping the backup media with current expiry date or of marking the media set as scratch.

Figure 23 — Acknowledge job completion dialog

Finally, you are prompted to unload the backup volume from the drive, at which point you can opt to leave it in place if it is to be reused or remove it to the appropriate storage area.


To check the log of completed backup jobs

There are two ways to check the status of a completed job:

  1. From the Backup Monitor, choose the job and select Logfiles > Display to see a list of all completed jobs and whether they worked or failed. You can then select one of the jobs to display its log of messages.
  2. From the Backup Monitor, choose the job and select Jobs > Acknowledge. backup3G displays a dialog similar to that shown in Figure 23 from where you can select the Log option.
    Backup3G displays a log similar to that shown in Figure 24, which contains start and end times, step completion codes, and error and warning messages.
Figure 24 — Log file of completed backup job

If there is no information in the log, backup3G displays the message

scroll: No data to display


How To Archive Files and Directories

An archive is used to copy files from disk to a cheaper offline storage medium such as tape, in case they are needed later.


Archives versus backups

A backup copies active directories, filesystems, or database files so they can be restored if a file is corrupted or if there is a hardware fault. The main purpose of a backup is disaster recovery. Backup jobs run to a regular schedule. Job details are saved so that the backup command and other information don’t have to be reentered each time the job is run.

An archive copies files (usually inactive) from disk to a cheaper storage medium such as tape. An archive is only run once, so the archive details are not saved. Files can be removed from disk when the archive finishes.



Note
Multi-volume archive is not supported. Each archive job must fit on a single output tape.


To archive files

  1. Start the Archive Files module.
  2. Select Interactive mode to display progress messages on your terminal, otherwise select Background mode.
    Host
    Select the name of the host on which the directory is stored.
    Base directory
    The base directory is the lowest level directory that contains all the files and subdirectories you will archive.
    Files/sub-dirs
    Enter the list of files and subdirectories you want to archive, separated by spaces. To archive the whole base directory leave this field blank.
    Drive/pool
    Select a logical drive or drive pool.
    Retention
    Select a retention period. The archive volume will be available to be reused after this period.
    Method
    Select an archive method.
    Auto-acknowledge
    Indicate whether backup3G is to automatically acknowledge the completed archive job.
    Index
    Select ‘yes’ to create an online index of this archive.
    Remove
    Select ‘yes’ to remove these files from disk after they have been archived.
    Description
    This description will be written to the media table as the contents of this volume.
  3. Press Accept.


You are asked to load the backup medium and confirm that the job can now be started.