Defines configuration parameters for automated backup devices
Description
The conf_tape_device file, also called the user-defined configuration file, sets parameters to configure the Tape Coordinator to use automated
backup devices, such as stackers and jukeboxes. The file can also be used to configure the Tape Coordinator to control direct dumps to and restores from a file. The user-defined configuration file
must reside in the dcelocal/var/dfs/backup directory and must have a name of the form conf_tape_device, where tape_device specifies the relevant device.
The user-defined configuration file is an ASCII file that contains configuration parameters. Each parameter is specified on a separate line. The valid parameters are as follows:
MOUNT
Specifies a file that contains an executable routine. The routine can mount an automated backup device, such as a stacker or jukebox.
UNMOUNT
Specifies a file that contains an executable routine to perform tape unmount operations for an automated backup device.
ASK
Forces all Backup System prompts (except the initial prompt to mount the first tape) to accept the default answers for all error cases rather than query the operator. This
parameter is useful for fully automating the backup process. Valid arguments are YES and NO. The YES argument enables operator prompts; omitting ASK has the same
result. The NO argument disables operator prompts and assumes the default responses to all error case prompts.
AUTOQUERY
Disables the initial Backup System prompt to mount the first tape. This parameter is also useful for fully automating the backup process. Valid arguments are
YES and NO. The YES argument enables the initial prompt to mount the first tape for a dump set; omitting AUTOQUERY has the same result. The NO argument
disables the prompt.
NAME_CHECK
Prevents the Backup System from checking tape names. This is a convenience setting you can use to recycle a group of tapes without first relabeling them. Valid
arguments are YES and NO. The YES argument enables tape name checking; the Tape Coordinator verifies that each tape in the set has the name of the same dump set. Omitting
NAME_CHECK has the same result. The NO argument disables tape name checking; the Tape Coordinator accepts any expired tape.
FILE
Directs dump or restore operations to tape or to a specified file. Valid arguments are YES and NO. The YES argument directs the operations to a
specified file. The NO argument directs the operations to a specified tape; omitting FILE has the same result.
Do not specify the YES parameter when using a tape device or the NO parameter when referring to a file. Neither combination works.
If the Tape Coordinator needs another file to continue an operation, it prompts the operator to mount another tape. You can use this pause in the operation to specify a new file by changing the path name in the dcelocal/var/dfs/backup/TapeConfig file. After you respond to the prompt, the Tape Coordinator will use the new path name.
Because the user-defined configuration file is an ASCII file, it can be created or modified with a text editor. Creating the file requires write and execute permissions for the /opt/dcelocal/var/dfs/backup directory. Editing the file requires write permission for the file.
Examples
The following is an example of a user-defined configuration file for a stacker-type tape device. In this file, the AUTOQUERY parameter is used to disable the
initial prompt to the operator to mount a tape. The ASK parameter enables prompts to the operator if errors occur. The MOUNT parameter refers to the
/opt/backup/stacker0.1 file, which contains an executable routine (written by the user) to control the stacker. The NAME_CHECK parameter prevents the Backup System from checking
the names of tapes during a dump operation.
AUTOQUERY NO
ASK YES
MOUNT /opt/backup/stacker0.1
NAME_CHECK NO
In the following example, a user-defined configuration file configures the Tape Coordinator to control a jukebox. In this example, the ASK parameter is set to NO to disable error prompts. This example calls a user-defined executable routine for mounting and unmounting tapes. The NAME_CHECK parameter is set to NO so that the Tape Coordinator will accept any expired tape.
MOUNT /opt/backup/jukebox0.1
UNMOUNT /opt/backup/jukebox0.1
ASK NO
NAME_CHECK NO
Related Information
Commands: butc(8dfs)
Files: TapeConfig(4dfs)