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Creating a Bootable Recovery Tape

A bootable recovery tape can also be created from the Ignite-UX server. However, the client must have a local tape drive.

The make_tape_recovery tool creates a system recovery archive and stores the archive on a local tape. make_tape_recovery is capable of creating system recovery tapes for tape devices, with the ability to span multiple tapes. The archive created by make_tape_recovery is specific to the system it was created for and its identity includes hostname, ip_address, networking information, etc. In the event of a root disk failure, the recovery archive can be installed via tape to restore the system.

The contents of the system recovery archive will always include all files and directories which are considered essential to bringing up a functional system. This essential list is pre-defined by make_tape_recovery and is located in the following file: /opt/ignite/recovery/mnr_essentials. By running make_tape_recovery in interactive mode, the directories and files which make up the essential list can be displayed. In addition to the essential list, data can be included in the archive on a disk/volume group, file, or directory basis. Non- essential files and directories can also be excluded.

It is preferable to use the Ignite-UX GUI menu command on the Ignite-UX server when running an interactive make_tape_recovery session. Running it from Ignite-UX causes any additional server configuration of NFS mounts to be performed. It also provides a better progress report and an easier to use interface.

Logging:

On a server, progress and errors are logged to:

/var/opt/ignite/clients/<LLA>/recovery/<datetime>/recovery.log

On a local system, progress and errors are logged to:

/var/opt/ignite/recovery/<datetime>/recovery.log

Task: Recover a minimal OS

(Perform these operations as root)

To create a minimal operating system recovery tape at /dev/rmt/0mn, containing only the OS elements required to boot the system, perform the following steps:

1. Load a writable tape in the default tape drive for your system.
2. Enter: make_tape_recovery A tape will be created without further interaction.

System recovery from this tape would involve booting from the tape to recover the minimum Core OS. Then you would follow up with data recovery of all user files newer than those restored from the recovery tape.

Task: Create a system recovery archive of entire root disk volume

To create a system recovery tape at the default device /dev/rmt/0m, and that includes the entire root disk in the archive, perform the following steps:

1. Load a writable tape in the default tape device for your system.
   
2. Enter the appropriate command: make_tape_recovery -x inc_entire = vg00

A tape will be created without further interaction

Task: Create a system recovery archive tape with the -A option

To create a system, you can create a system recovery tape as follows

1. Load a writable tape in the default tape device for your system.
2. Enter: make_tape_recovery -A

A tape will be created without further interaction. You can boot this tape on your new system.

Task: Install a system recovery from an archive tape

To install a system recovery from an archive tape:

1. Mount the system recovery tape on the tape drive.
2. Boot the system.
3. Interrupt the boot sequence to redirect it to the tape drive by pressing Esc.
4. Cancel the non-interactive installation by pressing any key when given the opportunity.
5. Allow the install process to complete.