Creating and using recovery tapes

The Ignite-UX make_tape_recovery command creates a system recovery tape that can be used to boot and recover a system that is not bootable due to corruption of the root disk or root volume group. A system can be booted and installed from the tape without user intervention, including configuration, customization, software selection, hostname, and networking information.

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

It is preferable to use the Ignite-UX GUI on the Ignite-UX server when running an interactive make_tape_recovery session. Executing it from the Ignite-UX GUI causes any additional server configuration of NFS mounts to be performed. Additionally, more informative progress reporting is provided, and it is easier to use that interface.

IMPORTANT: The media and data format (density and compression) of the installation tape you create must be compatible with the clients on which it will be read. For example, if you have a mixture of DDS4 and DDS5 tape drives on your systems and you wish to be able to read recovery tapes on any of them, you must only use DDS4 media, as DDS5 media will not work in DDS4 drives.

The contents of the system recovery image will always include all files and directories that are considered essential to bringing up a functional system. This essential list is predefined by make_tape_recovery and is located in the following file:

/opt/ignite/recovery/mnr_essentials

In addition to the essential list, data can be included in the recovery image on a disk/volume group, file, or directory basis. Nonessential files and directories can also be excluded.

The tape created by make_tape_recovery is completely self-contained and does not require an Ignite-UX server to install the recovery image. The make_tape_recovery recovery image contains a specially prepared LIF volume. The configuration file in the LIF volume is the configuration file for the recovery archive. The /var/opt/ignite/data/INDEX file in the LIF volume specifies the recovery configuration as the default for the system. The recovery tape contains additional configuration information so no user interaction is required.

Additional files needed for booting and installing are copied from

/opt/ignite/boot/Rel_release and /opt/ignite/data to the LIF volume on the tape, so everything the system needs to recover is there.

NOTE: During the recovery process, when the file system is set up and the I/O tree is initialized, tape device files may be mapped differently from when the original recovery tape was made. Therefore, it is possible for a recovery tape to be created with one tape device file, for instance /dev/rmt/0m, and recovered from a different device file, such as /dev/rmt/2m, though the physical device is the same.

You can also replicate a system and create a recovery image that can be used for installing clients. The section, “Notes on cloning systems” (page 219) describes how to make use of this process. For additional information regarding system cloning, see the Successful System Cloning using Ignite-UXwhite paper at

http://www.hp.com/go/ignite-ux-docs.

IMPORTANT: If you use make_tape_recovery for recovery, your tapes must be clearly labeled with the Ignite-UX version used to create them to avoid mixing Ignite-UX versions when two-step media recovery is used. See “Tape recovery with no tape boot support — two-step media recovery” (page 217) for more information.

Recovery tape creation examples

The following examples are intended to assist you in using the make_tape_recovery tool.

System recovery 201

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HP UX System Management Software manual Creating and using recovery tapes, Recovery tape creation examples
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UX System Management Software specifications

HP-UX System Management Software is a robust suite of tools designed to facilitate the administration and management of HP's Unix-based operating system, HP-UX. As organizations increasingly rely on mission-critical applications, the need for a reliable and efficient management solution becomes paramount. HP-UX provides a comprehensive understanding of system performance, resource utilization, and enterprise-wide configuration, all while maintaining high availability and security.

One of the key features of HP-UX System Management Software is its Advanced System Administrator Toolkit. This toolkit includes a wide array of utilities that streamline daily administrative tasks such as monitoring system performance, managing user accounts, and configuring system settings. Tools such as Glance provide real-time monitoring of system resources, enabling administrators to identify bottlenecks and optimize performance.

The software also boasts an advanced security framework, including features such as Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Secure Shell (SSH) for secure data transmission. Security patches and updates can be managed through HP’s Service Pack for HP-UX, which provides a streamlined method for maintaining system integrity and compliance with various regulatory standards.

Another notable aspect is the extensive support for virtualization technologies. HP-UX supports HP’s Integrity Virtual Machines (IVMs) and vPars, allowing administrators to create multiple isolated environments on a single physical server. This not only enhances resource utilization but also improves disaster recovery planning by enabling easier backup and restore processes.

For storage management, HP-UX offers tools that enable easy setup and management of Logical Volume Managers (LVM). This allows simplified disk space allocation and management, ensuring that critical applications have the necessary resources without manual intervention.

Furthermore, HP-UX is designed with compatibility in mind, supporting a wide range of third-party applications and frameworks. Integration with management platforms like HP System Insight Manager enhances the ability to monitor and manage systems from a centralized perspective, providing alerts and reports that help in proactive decision-making.

In summary, HP-UX System Management Software delivers a streamlined approach to system administration, focusing on performance, security, and ease of management. Its advanced features, combined with an emphasis on virtualization and storage management, make it a powerful tool for organizations seeking reliability and efficiency in their Unix-based environments. As businesses continue to evolve, tools like HP-UX will remain crucial for ensuring consistent performance and operational excellence.
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