DR using a mksysb image on disk.

[gz3xzf]

This may be a dumb question and the more I think about it the worst it seems!!

I have inherited some standalone systems where they are using the mksysb command to create a disk file image; this image is then backed up to Networker.
My dumb question is how would we go about restoring this image should the server need to be replaced (i.e. internal disks as well)?

The estate doesn't have a NIM and the servers are old enough that we have no HMC or Virtualisation.

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Cheers
Bryan
Bryan Hardwick

[Michael]

Installing a nim server somewhere is a good idea. From the mksysb image you can create a spot so that you can boot from it, even if you are lacking the installation media.

By old - what level of AIX are we talking about - AIX 4.2, AIX 5.3?

And the other path to examine is to use the command

Code: [Select]

mkcd to create iso images and restore via the DVD.

Note: you can create iso files from an existing mksysb image. Been awhile since I have had to do that - so not sure how well creating an image on AIX 6.1 of an AIX 5.2 image would work. It should work, as everything that is needed is in the mksysb image. Just needs to be repackaged to create the boot image from it.

[gz3xzf]

Installing a nim server somewhere is a good idea. From the mksysb image you can create a spot so that you can boot from it, even if you are lacking the installation media.

I am afraid this is a CMO environment and therefore no possibility of expanding the estate with a NIM server, although this would be the best option.

By old - what level of AIX are we talking about - AIX 4.2, AIX 5.3?

Yes!
There are various versions, the newest is a 5.3 TL8 and the oldest is 4.3.2!

I guess the best way would be to write the image to a DVD or CD, does mkcd do something like this?

[Michael]

imho mkcd is a poor way to write directly to a CD/DVD. From memory, the option I used is -S (I only use nim these days having become lazy).

I have not used AIX 4.2 for a long long time. I think AIX 4.3.3 already had mkcd, but unsure of AIX 4.2.

For these "ancient" bare metal systems, if you lack an internal tape drive I recommend appropriating an external SCSI tape drive.

Assuming you have more than just rootvg - also make regular savevg backups of the other volume groups. The data may be more important than the rootvg.

I also recommend you glance at http://www.rootvg.net/content/view/134/88/ for getting something bootable. Sometimes it is only the booting that is failing.