System User's Guide: Operating System and Devices

Backing Up Files (backup Command)

Attention: If you attempt to back up a mounted file system, a message displays. The backup command continues, but inconsistencies in the file system can occur. This situation does not apply to the root (/) file system.

You can create copies of your files on backup media, such as a magnetic tape or diskette, with the backup Command or smit Command. The copies are in one of the following backup formats:

• Specific files backed up by name, using the -i flag.
• Entire file system backed up by i-node number, using the -Level and FileSystem parameters.

  Notes:

  1. The possibility of data corruption always exists when a file is modified during system backup. Therefore, make sure that system activity is at a minimum during the system backup procedure.
  2. If a backup is made to 8-mm tape with the device block size set to 0 (zero), it is not possible to directly restore from the tape. If you have done backups with the 0 setting, you can restore from them by using special procedures described under the restore command.

Attention: Be sure the flags you specify match the backup media.

Using the backup Command

For example, to back up selected files in your $HOME directory by name, type:

find $HOME -print | backup -i -v

Press Enter.

The -i flag prompts the system to read from standard input the names of files to be backed up. The find command generates a list of files in the user's directory. This list is piped to the backup command as standard input. The -v flag displays a progress report as each file is copied. The files are backed up on the default backup device for the local system.

For example, to back up the root file system, type:

backup -0 -u /

Press Enter.

The 0 level and the / tell the system to back up the / (root) file system. The file system is backed up to the /dev/rfd0 file. The -u flag tells the system to update the current backup level record in the /etc/dumpdates file.

For example, to back up all files in the / (root) file system that were modified since the last 0 level backup, type:

backup -1 -u /

Press Enter.

See the backup command in the AIX 5L Version 5.2 Commands Reference for the complete syntax.

Using the smit Command

You can also use smit to run the backup command.

1. At the prompt, type:

   smit backup

   Press Enter.

2. Type the path name of the directory on which the file system is normally mounted in the DIRECTORY full pathname field:

   /home/bill

   Press Enter.

3. In the BACKUP device or FILE fields, type the output device name, as in the following example for a raw magnetic tape device:

   /dev/rmt0

   Press Enter.

4. Use the Tab key to toggle the optional REPORT each phase of the backup field if you want error messages printed to the screen.
5. In a system management environment, use the default for the MAX number of blocks to write on backup medium field, because this field does not apply to tape backups.
6. Press Enter to back up the named directory or file system.
7. Run the restore -t command. If this command generates an error message, you must repeat the entire backup.