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Administrator
Any user whose login name is listed in the BACKUP.UNET operator table with administrator privileges. Grants users privileges for installing and configuring BACKUP.UNET on the network system, and authorization to set up the various parameters for backing up and restoring files.
Backup
A single backup operation that copies specified files or file systems to removable media. A backup may extend over several backup volumes and constitutes either a full or an incremental backup. Also referred to as a dump.
Backup control processor
Acts as a parent process for all backup processes.
Backup control volume
The last volume in a multi-volume backup, or the only volume in a single volume backup. The backup control volume is crucial in performing a full system restore. It contains information about the backup cycle as a whole.
Backup cycle
A full backup and all its associated incremental backups, up to, but not including, the next full backup.
Backup/restore processor
A host that performs backup and restore operations; maintains system backup data information, performs full and incremental backups, and responds to requests for file restores.
Backup segment
A full or an incremental backup stored on a multiple-backup media volume.
Backup volume
A unit of backup media (for example, a cartridge tape, or a tape reel).
BACKUP.UNET home directory
The BACKUP.UNET working directory. It can be specified by the "$NBK" environment variable.
BCP
See Backup control processor.
BCV
See Backup control volume.
Binary directory
Created during installation; includes programs for the GUI and command line interfaces.
BRP
See Backup/restore processor.
BRP daemon
A background task that performs backup and restore services.
Compress
Reducing the size, and therefore the storage requirements, of a data file, by applying a compaction algorithm to remove redundancy in the data.
Cpio
A UNIX backup and restore program. Stands for copy file archives in and out. Allows device special files and raw disk partitions to be backed up.
Cpio -c
The same as cpio; writes header format in ASCII form and is more portable, allowing you to move tapes from one cpio machine to another. This is the BACKUP.UNET default format.
Cron
A UNIX utility that automatically executes a shell script or program at specified times.
Daemon
A permanent background task, that is, one that is always running.
Decrypt
To restore encrypted data, by use of a special algorithm, to its original form.
Device
A piece of peripheral equipment (for example, hard disk, printer, terminal, or tape drive) logically or physically attached to a machine.
Device driver
System software that interprets device I/O calls for a specific device and controls the operation of that device.
Distributed file system
Software on a local computer that makes files on other (that is, remote) machines appear to be part of the local file system.
Encrypt
Alter the appearance of data and information by use of a special algorithm to prevent unauthorized people from reading and/or using the data, before transmitting it over the network or writing it to backup media.
Environment
Collection of variable conditions that control the performance of programs and processes. See environment variable.
Environment variable
A symbol, typically created when a person logs on to the computer, or created from the command line, that can be used by shell scripts and by programs. The collection of environment variables constitutes the environment.
Escape processing
The ability of BACKUP.UNET programs to run special shell scripts (processing escapes) to perform additional tasks during backup and restore operations, for example, sending an operator request to mount a tape.
Exit code
The single numerical value (normally 0) returned when a program or shell script completes.
File system
Logical layout of data files on a hard disk.
Format
Physical layout of data on media, for example, cpio format.
Full backup
Type of backup run when all the files specified in the worklist are backed up; a complete backup.
GUI
Graphical User Interface. An intuitive interface to the BACKUP.UNET software.
Home directory
Created during installation; includes the online catalog and the log file.
Host/Host system
Computer or computer system; machine within a network.
Incremental backup
Type of backup run when only files in the worklist that have modified or added since the last backup (which may have been full or incremental) are backed up; a partial backup.
Input/output driver
Sends data to tape drives.
Input/output provider
A host with I/O devices, used remotely or locally by BACKUP.UNET components. Responds to requests from BRPs for tape mounts and read or write operations.
Interrupt
I/O specific, asynchronous event sent by device driver or operating system to a currently running program.
IOD
See Input/output driver.
IOP
See Input/output provider.
IOP daemon
Background task that performs I/O related processes.
Local machine
The host machine on which a command is invoked or executed.
Media
The type of storage material used to store backed up data and information (for example, 9-track tapes, cartridge tapes, 8mm tapes, floppy disks, or optical disks).
Media format
The format used to store data and information on a storage volume, for example, tar, and cpio. Backup format to be used for backup and restore processes.
Media pool
A collection of volumes, such as 8mm tapes, that are managed by an IOP.
NFS
Network File System.
Offline
Removes the data portion of a backup from the system. The index portion (with volume information) is still resident on the system.
Online
The data portion and the index portion of a backup is resident on the system.
Operator
Any user whose login name is listed in the BACKUP.UNET operator table, with operator permission. Identifies users who may perform BACKUP.UNET operations, such as mounting and dismounting tapes, and responding to requests initiated by BACKUP.UNET.
Partition
A section of the hard disk.
Partitions file
A special file that contains the full pathname of device special files (one per line) along with the number of data blocks to be backed up.
Pathname
A way in which a file is identified, by the arrangement of directories used to access it (also written "path name").
Pool
A collection of media volumes used to store backed up data and information.
Poolmaster
BACKUP.UNET host assigned to manage the use of a specified pool by BACKUP.UNET hosts.
Processing escape
Potentially suspends processing of a BACKUP.UNET program to invoke another program (for example, a shell script). Once the sub-process has terminated (normally or otherwise), the BACKUP.UNET program resumes execution.
Raw partition
A section of a disk that is not managed by the operating system.
Recycle
The process of making old volumes available for re-use and deleting associated catalog information.
Recycle script
A BACKUP.UNET text file that contains specialized control statements. These statements specify how long to keep backup volumes before recycling them, and automatically freeing them for re-use; when to offline catalog data and information; and to automatically update the online catalog.
Restore
The ability to copy files and/or directories from backup volumes onto the hard disk/machine.
Root directory
The primary directory on a computer operating system; has no parent directory.
Root privileges
See root user ID; provides superuser capabilities.
Root userid
Provides permission to access and use all functions and processes on a UNIX operating system; no restrictions.
RPC
Remote Procedure Call.
Script
A plain text file containing instructions to a program.
Semaphore
A locking mechanism.
Shell
A command interpreter; for example, Bourne shell or C shell.
Special files
Files that do not contain data; may contain references to devices; usually located in the "/dev" directory, but may exist anywhere (for example, disk or device special files).
Special incremental backup
Type of backup run when only files in the worklist that have modified or added since the last backup (which may have been full or special incremental) are backed up; a partial backup. Differs from incremental because the catalogs are not scanned during the backup procedure, thus enabling the backup processing to complete sooner. Skipping the catalog step, however, disables the restore process from recognizing files as deleted.
Stream
A subset of the files and directories on a host that are backed up to a tape device. Streams are identified in the worklist by a STREAM keyword. Multiple streams can be backed up simultaneously to different devices.
SU/Superuser
See root userid.
Syncro-server
A host responsible for maintaining the BACKUP.UNET global tables (Sys, SysPool, and Pool).
System administrator
See administrator.
Tar
A UNIX backup and restore format. Stands for tape archive.
User
Any person with the ability to log in to the BACKUP.UNET system.
Volume
A single unit of storage media.
Volume label
The electronic label placed at the front of the media.
Volume table update
Daemon that updates the volume table after a backup completes.
Worklist
A script containing a structured list of file and directory names to be backed up or excluded from backup operations. The worklist also defines backup streams.