To Back Up a System

Back up existing file systems before upgrading the Solaris operating environment. Copying them to removable media (such as tape) safeguards data against loss, damage, or corruption.

You can use the Solaris Web Start Specify Backup Media dialog box to back up a system on a local disk, local tape, or remote file system.

If you do not have a backup procedure in place, follow these steps to perform a full backup of file systems on tape. Backing up a system and setting up scheduled backups are described in more detail in System Administration Guide, Volume I.

1. Become superuser.

2. Shut down the system:

   # init 0

3. Boot the system in single-user mode:

   ok boot -s

4. Do you want to check the file systems for consistency?

   ---

   Note -

   Checking the file systems for consistency ensures you back up uncorrupted data. A power failure, for example, can leave files in an inconsistent state.

   ---

   • If no, go to the next step.

   • If yes, use the fsck command with the -m option:

     # fsck -m /dev/rdsk/device-name

5. Do you intend to back up the file systems onto a remote tape drive?

   • If no, go to the next step.

   • If yes:

   1. Add the following entry to the ./rhosts file of the system that is initiating the backup:

      host root

   2. Verify that the host name added to the /.rhosts file above is accessible via the local /etc/inet/hosts file or available through an NIS or NIS+ name server.

6. Identify the device name of the tape drive.

   The default tape drive is /dev/rmt/0.

7. Insert a tape that is not write-protected into the tape drive.

8. Back up file systems using one of the ufsdump commands listed in Table 3-3.

   Table 3-3 Full Backup Commands

   To make a full backup on a	Use this command
   Local cartridge tape drive	ufsdump9ucf /dev/rmt files_to_backup
   Remote cartridge tape drive	ufsdump0ucf remote_host:/ files_to_backup

9. When prompted, remove the tape and replace it with the next volume.

10. Label each tape with the volume number, level, date, system name, and file system.

11. Press Control-D.

    The system is returned to run level 3.

12. Verify that you successfully backed up the system:

    # ufsrestore -t