man1/na_smtape(1) manual page

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NAME

na_smtape - image-based backup and restore

SYNOPSIS

smtape backup [ options ] path tape_device

smtape restore [ options ] path tape_device

smtape restore -g path

smtape restore -h tape_device

smtape abort job_id

smtape continue job_id [ tape_device ]

smtape status [ -l ] [ [ -p path ] | [ job_id ] ]

smtape help [ subcommand ]

The smtape command is used to manage backup and restore operations. It allows user to backup a volume to tape, restore to a volume from tape, abort or continue an operation, show the status of an operation, and get help on smtape command.

USAGE

The smtape subcommands are:

backup [ -g volume_geometry ] [ -b block_size ] [ -s snapshot_name ] path tape_device

Performs a level 0 backup of a specified volume path to a tape_device. Use sysconfig -t for a list of local tape devices. If no snapshot name is specified, a snapshot is created as the base snapshot. If a snapshot name is specified, the specified snapshot is used as the base snapshot. A new unique job ID in the range of [1...99999] is assigned for this operation and is returned in the output of this command. This ID can be subsequently used to perform other operations such as status check, abort, etc.

smtape backup performs a SnapMirror to Tape equivalent backup. The base snapshot is retained at the completion of the backup. This is to facilitate re-establishing SnapMirror relationship upon restore.

The -b option sets the tape record size to be set by the tape device. The tape record size should be multiples of 4 kilobytes, ranging from 4 kilobytes to 256 kilobytes. The default tape record size is set to 240 kilobytes.

The -s option specifies a base snapshot.

The -g option specifies the geometry of the backup image. This will optimize the tape for a particular destination traditional volume. This option only applies to traditional volumes. The volume_geometry argument is a string which describes the geometry of the intended destination traditional volume. It can be acquired by using the smtape restore -g command on that traditional volume. Using this option can increase smtape restore performance dramatically.

restore [ -b block_size ] path tape_device

Performs a level 0 restore of a backup image in the specified tape_device to a destination volume path. A new unique job ID in the range of [1...99999] is assigned for this operation and is returned in the output of this command.

smtape restore works in the same way as SnapMirror to Tape restore. It provides users the ability to initialize a volume SnapMirror (VSM) destination volume using backup images from tapes. After the restore, a VSM relationship can be established between the source volume and the destination volume through SnapMirror command. The volume needs to be placed in restricted mode prior to restore. Any existing data on the volume will get overwritten upon restore. The volume will stay restricted during restore and made read-only after the restore in snapmirrored state.

The -b option specifies the tape record size to be used.

restore -g path
Displays the volume geometry string for the specified path. This string, when given to the smtape backup -g command, will dramatically improve smtape restore performance to this traditional volume path.

restore -h tape_device
Displays the image header of the tape in the specified tape_device. If the command fails to display image header of the tape, check the position of tape using mt command.

abort job_id
Aborts the backup or restore operation associated with a given job ID.

continue job_id [ tape_device ]
Continues the backup or restore operation using the specified tape_device. This command is used when an operation has reached the end of current tape and is in the wait state to write output or accept input from a new tape. If tape_device is not specified, the original tape device will be used.

status [ -l ] [ [ -p path ] | [ job_id ] ] Shows status of the backup and restore jobs. If a job_id is specified, the command will only display the status of that job. The status field will be either Active, Aborting, or Waiting.

The -l option will display detailed status.

The -p option will only display status for the corresponding path.

help [ subcommand ]
Prints a summary for the subcommand. With no arguments, help prints a list of all available subcommands.

EXAMPLES

Here are a few examples of using the smtape command:

The following example shows backing up a volume to tape:

adams> smtape backup /vol/vol1 rst3a Job 9 started.

The following example shows restoring a backup image from tape to volume:

adams> smtape restore /vol/vol2 rst4a Job 10 started.

The following example presents the smtape status with jobs running:

adams> smtape status Job ID Seq No Type Status Path Device Progress 9 0 Backup Active /vol/vol1 rst3a 1.403 GB 10 0 Restore Active /vol/vol2/ rst4a 258.492 MB

HA CONSIDERATIONS

If one node in an HA pair goes down, any active smtape jobs running on that node are aborted. Nevertheless, any active smtape jobs running on the other node are not impacted and will run to completion. While the system is in takeover mode, one can perform smtape backup or restore of the volumes associated with the failed partner using tape devices on the active node. If cf giveback is issued while smtape jobs with partner volumes are running, giveback is canceled and those jobs will continue to run. If cf giveback -f is issued instead, then the active smtape jobs using partner volumes are aborted and giveback will proceed. Any active smtape jobs using local volumes of the active node are not affected by giveback.

VFILER CONSIDERATIONS

Tape devices are not supported on vfilers. Therefore smtape command runs on the physical node only.

FILES

/etc/log/backup
This file logs smtape activity. See na_backuplog(5) for details.