AIX servers

It is very important to keep at lease two versions of rootvg backup of a AIX server.
This backup is required when there is a total system crash, root file system corruption
or total site loss.
Backup of rootvg is done by creating a mksysb tape or image. mksysb backs up only
the mounted filesystems on rootvg and creates a bootable image on tape. The bootable tape is then used to boot & recover the AIX server.

Procedure to create mksysb image

login as root

it is recommended to close all user applications and cluster processes.

#smitty mksysb

Type or select values in entry fields.
Press Enter AFTER making all desired changes.

[TOP] [Entry Fields]
WARNING: Execution of the mksysb command will
result in the loss of all material
previously stored on the selected
output medium. This command backs
up only rootvg volume group.

* Backup DEVICE or FILE [] +/
Create MAP files? no +
EXCLUDE files? no +
List files as they are backed up? no +
Generate new /image.data file? yes +
EXPAND /tmp if needed? no +
Disable software packing of backup? no +
Number of BLOCKS to write in a single output [] #
(Leave blank to use a system default)
[BOTTOM]

F1=Help F2=Refresh F3=Cancel F4=List
Esc+5=Reset Esc+6=Command Esc+7=Edit Esc+8=Image
Esc+9=Shell Esc+0=Exit Enter=Do


in the backup devices or file field specify the device name for backup e.g. /dev/rmt0 (tape drive) or a filename, if you want to save image on to disk.

in the EXPAND /tmp if needed field select option yes.

This will create a bootable mksysb image.