How to write Archives to Tape using Tar (143970)

Neither current builds of AppAssure nor Rapid Recovery integrate directly with tape backup solutions. However, writing Archives to Tape using Tar can be done indirectly. Please see the steps below and suggested best practices.

Prerequisites:

• Working Tar Installation on a supported operating system
• Tape device is attached to server and shows up as fully functional in device manger
• Windows Services for UNIX or Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications is successfully installed
• Core server with backups in its Repository

Writing to Tape:

1. Create a One-time or Continuous (scheduled) Archive. The Archive will be stored in the directory that you have selected, and will be called AABackup. This is the folder that you will write to tape.
   1. AppAssure
      1. One-time Archive
      2. Continuous Archive
   2. Rapid Recovery
      1. One-time Archive
      2. Continuous Archive
2. Writing Archive to Tape:
   1. Ensure that tape media is loaded into your tape drive or library
   2. Browse to All Programs \ Subsystem for Unix-Based Applications \ C Shell.
   3. Use the command pwd to display your current directory path.
      Use the “cd /dev/fs/C/” command to change directories to the location of AABackup.
   4. Enter the following command to verify that the tape media is present:
      mt –f tapeN status where N is the number assigned to your tape device. If you do not know the name of your tape you may also run the command mt status and this command will display all presently detected tape devices. For more information on the mt command you can also type man mt.
   5. If your tape has been successfully detected, enter the following command to send the AABackup folder to your tape media:
      tar -vcf /dev/tapeN AABackup where N is the tape number and AABackup is the folder in the current directory to be written to tape. Take note of the tape number that you wish to use before proceeding.
      
      Example:
      cd /dev/fs/C
      In the following example AAbackup is stored at C:\AAbackup, and an administrator is using tape0:
      tar -vcf /dev/tape0 AABackup
   6. After running the above command the AppAssure archive will be written to tape.

NOTE:
* Do attempt to write an Archive to tape while the Archive is active. The data on tape will not be usable when restored.
* If writing a Continuous Archive to tape, do not delete the archive folder from disk when writing too tape has completed. Otherwise the next scheduled Archive will be a full export, not an incremental. Schedule Archives build off of existing data.
* If writing a Continuous Archive to tape, select an incremental backup in the 3rd party tape solution so it only backs up new data added to the Archive and not the full archive.

Restoring from Tape:

1. Tar from Tape:
   1. Go to All Programs \ Subsystem for Unix-Based Applications \ C Shell.
   2. Run the command cd /dev/fs/C/to change to the directory where you wish to place AABackup.
   3. Verify that the AABackup is on the tape by entering the following command into C Shell:
      tar -tvf /dev/tapeN where N is the tape number.
      You many also use the command mt rewind to rewind your tape.
   4. In C Shell enter the following command to copy AABackup from your tape device:
      tar –xvf /dev/tapeN /dev/fs/destination where destination is the target location where AABackup should be placed.
      
      Example:
      AAbackup is stored on tape0 and the administrator wants to place it on the root of C: on the core server.
      tar -xvf /dev/tape0
      In the following example AAbackup is stored at C:\AAbackup, and an administrator is using tape0.
      tar -vcf /dev/tape0 AABackup
   5. A folder called “AABackup” should now be present in the location you have selected.
2. Import or attach the Archive:
   1. AppAssure: Import Archive
   2. Rapid Recovery:
      1. Import Archive
      2. Attach Archive