Author: paul.deluca

How do I create a mksysb tape backup on AIX?

These instructions are for AIX 7.1. If you are on AIX 6.1, the steps will be similar. If you are on a previous version of AIX, you should upgrade as soon as possible.

Use Eterm, the local console or HMC to log into the server as root.

At the root command prompt (#), run:

smit mksysb

At the “Back Up This System” screen, press ESC-4 or F4 to change the highlighted fields:

* Backup DEVICE or FILE                              [/dev/rmt0]
  Create MAP files?                                   no
  EXCLUDE files?                                      yes
  List files as they are backed up?                   no 
  Verify readability if tape device?                  no 
  Generate new /image.data file?                      yes
  EXPAND /tmp if needed?                              yes
  Disable software packing of backup?                 yes
  Backup extended attributes?                         yes
  Number of BLOCKS to write in a single output       []  
     (Leave blank to use a system default)
  Location of existing mksysb image                  []
  File system to use for temporary work space        []  
     (If blank, /tmp will be used.)
  Back up encrypted files?                            yes
  Back up DMAPI filesystem files?                     yes

When the fields have been correctly set, press Enter to begin the backup.

A progress indicator will indicate when the backup is running, and when it has completed, you will receive either an OK or Failed completion status message.

After creating the mksysb, you should verify the tape. The verification consists of reading the information stored on the tape back into the system.

Verifying the mksysb Tape – AIX

To verify the mksysb tape:

1. At the command prompt (#), enter the following command:
# smit lsmksysb

2. Leave the tape in the drive and press Esc-4 to select the device name in the second field on this screen.

The default for this field is /dev/rmt0.
If your primary tape drive is another device, press Esc-4 to select the name in this field.

Leave all other fields at their default values

The verification process begins.
You can let it run to completion or stop it by using Ctrl-C. It will take quite a while to stop, so be patient. If you stop the verification it will eventually give you an error message of “failed,” which in this case only means that you stopped the verification.
An “OK” in the upper left corner of the screen indicates a successful readback.

3. Press Esc-3 until you are back at the # prompt to get out of mksysb process.

4. Eject your mksysb tape.

Can I use my Linux server as a network print server?

The Eclipse database server running Red Hat Enterprise Linux certainly has the capability to function as a print server for the rest of your network, however most Eclipse customers choose to use integrate both their domain controller and print server duties on the Windows platform.

Eclipse Support will provide assistance with any issues printing from Eclipse, but we support for general network printing issues is not covered under the Eclipse support contract. If you choose to use the RHEL server as a print server and require support, the best contact would be your RHEL support provider:

There is handy reference information on setting up and managing print queues in the Red Hat System Administration Guide.