Oracle Archive eXchange Format Explorer provides similar functionality to the Tape Reading Utility (TRU) supplied with earlier releases of Oracle DIVArchive and is for use with AXF formatted objects. With the introduction of complex objects in DIVArchive 7.0, AXF Explorer offers an intuitive interface for parsing AXF files. The TRU utility is not compatible with complex objects or AXF files and therefore AXF Explorer must be used in its place.
This chapter includes the following information:
AXF Explorer has a separate installation package named AXFExplorerInstaller.exe, even though it is included in the DIVArchive software download. You must run the installer executable to install AXF Explorer - it is not automatically installed during the DIVArchive installation.
The utility enables the ability to completely dump an AXF object's metadata and contents to a local folder on a disk, and automatically merges fragments during file extraction or AXF dump.
The limitations and precautions that must be observed when using AXF Explorer are discussed in the following sections.
Caution:
Data loss may (or will) occur if the limitations and precautions in the following sections are not followed exactly.The following limitations must be observed when using AXF Explorer. Data loss may (or will) occur if these warnings are not followed
AXF Explorer must not be used on a live production system.
All Oracle DIVArchive Actors and Oracle DIVArchive Managers must be stopped before initializing AXF Explorer.
Only AXF objects located on tapes and local disks are displayed.
Network locations are not displayed unless they are mapped drives.
Only one extraction operations is performed at any given time.
The utility only performs AXF tape read-only operations.
Spanned objects can be extracted, however there is (currently) no ability to join the spanned objects together.
AXF Explorer was not originally designed for use in a live production system. As a support tool, all Actors and Managers must be stopped before using the tool.
When a tape drive icon is clicked, the utility initiates a full scan of the contents of the tape. Therefore, AXF Explorer is sending positioning and reading commands to the tape drives. If a running Manager initiates a drive operation which causes Actor to use a tape drive, and AXF Explorer begins accessing the same drive simultaneously, there is a very high probability (99%) that the contents of the drive will be erased or corrupted resulting in total data loss.
The following recommendations are strongly advised to avoid data loss. Data loss may (or will) occur if these warnings are not followed.
AXF Explorer must not be used on a live production system.
All Actors and Managers must be stopped before using AXF Explorer.
Oracle recommends that you use a reasonable value for the number of files shown on each File Tree page. Up to approximately 500 files per page is a good reference point because higher values lead to slower performance, greater memory use, and possible adverse effects on the server when navigating AXF objects containing many files.
AXF Explorer uses a master password as a precautionary measure to prevent access to tape drives upon initial startup. You change the master password by clicking Management, and then Set Master Password. The current Master Password must be entered before it can be changed.
AXF (Archive Exchange Format) is an open source format supporting interoperability among disparate content storage systems and ensures the content's long-term availability no matter how storage or file system technology evolves.
An AXF object is an IT-centric file container that can encapsulate any number, and any type, of files in a fully self-contained and self-describing package. The encapsulated package contains its own internal file system, which shields your data from the underlying operating system and storage technology. In essence, the file system within a file can store any type of data on any type of storage media.