Backing Up User Files or File Systems

AIX Version 4.3 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices

Backing Up User Files or File Systems

Three procedures can be used to back up files and file systems: the Web-based System Manager fast path wsm fs, the SMIT fast paths smit backfile or smit backfilesys, and the backup command.

The SMIT interface may be used for backing up single and small file systems by name, such as /home on your local system. Note that SMIT cannot make archives in any other format than that provided by the backup command. Also, not every flag of the backup command is available through SMIT, as that would make the SMIT dialog convoluted and confusing. SMIT may hang if multiple tapes or disks are needed during the backup (see "Backing Up by Name" in the backup command).

Use the backup command when you want to back up large and multiple file systems. A level number can be specified to control how much data is backed up (full, 0; incremental, 1-9). Using the backup command is the only way you can specify the level number on backups.

The backup command creates copies in one of the two following backup formats:

Specific files backed up by name using the -i flag with the backup command.
Entire file systems backed up by i-node using the -Level and FileSystem parameters. One advantage of i-node backup is that the backup is defragmented when restored.

Attention: Backing up by i-node does not work properly for files that have UID (user ID) or GID (group ID) greater than 65535. These files are backed up with UID or GID truncated and will, therefore, have the wrong UID or GID attributes when restored. Backing up by name works properly for files that have a UID or GID greater than 65535.

Prerequisites

If you are backing up file systems by i-node that may be in use, you should unmount them first to prevent inconsistencies.
Attention: If you attempt to back up a mounted file system, a message is displayed. The backup command continues, but inconsistencies in the file system may occur. This warning does not apply to the root (/) file system.
Make sure the backup device has been cleaned recently to prevent errors.

Backing Up User Files or File Systems Tasks
Web-based System Manager: wsm backup fast path (Backups application) -OR-
Task	SMIT Fast Path	Command or File
Back Up User Files	smit backfile	Log in to your user account. Backup: find . -print \| backup -ivf /dev/rmt0
Back Up User File Systems	smit backfilesys	Unmount files systems that you plan to back up. For example: umount all or umount /home /filesys1 Verify the file systems. For example: fsck /home /filesys1 Back up by i-node. For example: backup -5 -uf/dev/rmt0 /home/libr Restore the files using the following command:¹ restore -t

Note:
If this command generates an error message, you must repeat the entire backup.