AIX system backup

I use Microlite's Backup Edge.
Take a look at:
http://www.microlite.com

IBM has another product called ADSM (ADSTAR Distributed Storage Manager) that might fit your needs. They also have several models of tape autoloader/library, two of the fastest being the Ultrium series and the Magstar series.

Other tape autoloader/library manufacturers include Exabyte Corporation (www.exabyte.com) and Qualstar (www.qualstar.com). Backup s/w manufacturers include Legato (www.legato.com) and Veritas (www.veritas.com).

Providing all your data will fit on one tape, if you use the mksysb and send it to device rmt0.1 as opposed to rmt0, the tape will not rewind at the end, and you can add other backups to the tape. When using savevg, also use rmt0.1 as a devices name, or the tape will rewind to the beginning and overwrite the mksysb. You can also change the blocksize of the mksysb to a larger blocksize, as well as savevg. This will fit more on a tape, due to a smaller number of beg of block,eob records. mksysb -b 64 rmt0.1. Before starting the backup, rewind the tape in the script first, because rmt0.1 does not, and a backup could start in the middle of the tape. tctl -f /dev/rmt0 rewind. IBM's TSM (formerly ADSM) or legato is a safer bet for backing up your application data, as it tracks tape numbers, and prevents accidental overwrite. For the OS backup, only mksysb or sysback media can be used to recover your system however. IBM 3590 is the best media available for the IBM, but is expensive. For a small shop, IBM does have DLT dries available, and makes a 3570/3575 that is as reliable as the 3590, but uses a smaller capacity tape.

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