Archiving Data

On Solaris machines, you can start an archive from either Backup Archive on the client machine or the Backup administration program on the server. In the Backup administration program, you can set up a UNIX client's archive to start immediately or later. On Backup clients of other platforms, you can only initiate an archive from the Backup User client application.

Unlike scheduled backups, scheduled archives only run once. The advantage of a scheduled archive is that you can run the archive at a time when network traffic is low and not tie up machine resources during business hours.

How to Request an Archive from a Backup Client

1. UNIX client: Enter nwarchive at the command prompt to start Backup Archive.

   PC client: Start the Backup User program and select Archive.

2. Select the files you want to archive.

   PC client: Specify the options to verify, clone, groom, or compress the data.

3. Start the archive.

   Backup prompts you to enter an annotation. You must enter an annotation before Backup begins the archive.

   UNIX client: In the dialog box where Backup prompts you to enter an annotation, you can also specify options to verify, clone, groom, or compress the data.

   The archive starts immediately, if an appropriate archive volume is mounted, and continues until it finishes. If you selected a large amount of data, the archive can take a long time.

How to Schedule an Archive on the Backup Server for a UNIX Client

1. Start the Backup administration program.

   Change to a different Backup server, if necessary.

2. Create an archive request.

   • You must enter an annotation as part of the archive request.

   • In the Status attribute, select either Start Now or Start Later.

   • In the Save Set attribute, specify the path of the files you want to archive.

   • Specify any options, such as verify, clone, and groom.

   For specific instructions on how to use the Backup administration program, refer to the online help.

3. Apply your selections.

   To view information about scheduled archives, such as the status of the archive request and the name of the archive request, display the Archive Request Control resource. If you specified a notification command in the Archive Completion attribute of the Archive Request resource, Backup sends a notification when the archive is finished.