This document describes what is required to archive an entire AIX system, both system and data. Information in this document is valid for AIX Version 4.1 through AIX Version 4.2.
There should be either a hardcopy or data-diskette listing of information about the system. This will primarily be used when there are problems with archives.
In AIX, a bootable system backup is very important. This means that regular mksysb backups should be a part of the normal backup strategy.
A mksysb archive will back up only mounted JFS file systems in the root volume group. If there are user volume groups, there must be a separate backup of the other volume groups besides the mksysb.
For example:
mksysb -i /dev/rmt# (# to be replaced by 0, 1, and so on)WARNING: Unmounted JFS file systems, non-JFS file systems, and raw logical volumes in rootvg will NOT be archived with a mksysb.
When there are other volume groups, using the savevg command, this data can be archived.
For example:
savevg -i /dev/rmt# vgname
NOTE: Remember to create a savevg backup at the beginning of the tape for restvg to work. Do not append a savevg image after another image.
The file system data has been archived. To archive a raw logical volume, use either software included with the database program or the AIX dd command.
Sysback 6000 is an IBM AIX add-on product that will allow the system files, other volume groups, and raw logical volumes to be archived onto the same tape. Other features are also available that standard AIX commands cannot offer.
NOTE: In AIX 4.x, sysback is the only method of archiving the system, other volume groups, and raw logical volumes onto a single tape set.