RE: Network backups

[Evan Harris <spanner@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Walden

We have considered this and it is still a possibility although down the 
list a bit. We are on to it regarding the tapes <g> having seen that before

Regards
Evan Harris

> Here is what we're doing on one of our development (small) machines.
>
> 1) Save to local tape after OS upgrades and PTFs (only way to restore
> system)
> 2) Each night save user libraries (data/programs/etc.) to save files
> 3) FTP save files to our backup server (W2K in our case)
> 4) Save files on W2K to tape.
>
> We're recovered several times from this scenario so I know it works. Your
> system in undoubtedly larger, but the theory is the same. The biggest draw
> back to this approach is the space needed by the save files.
>
> Additionally, a restore requires first a restore of the save file from tape,
> then an FTP to put it back on the iSeries, then a restore from the save
> file. Since your machine is another iSeries you would have the option of not
> saving the savf itself, but doing a savsavfdta command on the save file.
> That way your restore was simply a restore from tape.
>
> I would point out if you are doing this, make sure you have a tape drive on
> each of these machines that can read you backup tape. Nothing is more
> annoying that crashing your primary system, moving to the secondary system
> and having a round tape and a square drive.
>
> -Walden