CHAPTER 6 Managing the Network Configuration

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Managing the network configuration includes modifying the information in the Operators table, the Pools table, the media type files, and the Devices table. Use the Manage feature on the BACKUP.UNET main dialog.

Accessing the Tables Menu

The procedure used to update the information in the tables is basically the same for all tables:

  1. From the BACKUP.UNET main dialog, choose Manage Tables to display the Tables menu (Figure 6 1):

    Graphic: Figure 6-1. Tables Menu

  2. Choose the table you want to work with, and the corresponding dialog is displayed.

Using the Manage Tables function, you can perform the following functions involved with network configuration:

All of the above functions (except for the Dumps table) are described in the following sections.

Changing Operator Information

The Operators table includes records of all users authorized to access the current host as operators, administrators or operator/administrators. Users not designated as operators, administrators, or operator/administrators (and not shown on this table) only have permission to restore and list their own files.

Note: You must have operator privileges on the poolmaster from the host you are using to add a volume to a pool on a remote host. For example, the poolmaster is host loki and you are on host thor that has a device associated with the pool. If, on host loki, you do not have either an ALL hosts card or a host thor card with operator privileges, you cannot add volumes to the pool.

Note: It is highly desirable to use a system, such as the Sun NIS (Network Information System, formerly called Yellow Pages) to ensure that a user id on one system represents the same user on another networked system. For example, user id 130 could belong to user melvin on host loki, AND to user maud on host thor. For obvious reasons, this practice is strongly discouraged.

Viewing the Operator Records

  1. Choose Manage Tables Operators from the BACKUP.UNET main dialog to display the Operators dialog (Figure 6 2).

    Graphic: Figure 6-2. Operators Dialog

  2. The operators and their associated hosts are displayed in the dialog. If necessary, use the scrollbar to see all of the records.

  3. To display a specific operator record, select a record and click the Show button. The Operator Information dialog is displayed (Figure 6 3).

Graphic: Figure 6-3. Operator Information Dialog

The Operator Information dialog contains the following information for each operator/administrator in the BACKUP.UNET system:

User Name

Specifies the login name (user id) of the user (on the current host).

Permissions

Specifies the authorization level of the user. A user with both permissions selected can perform all the operator and administrator functions. The permissions are:

Operator

Radio button. When selected, you can perform the following BACKUP.UNET functions: - backup files*
- list and restore backed up files
- manage media
- answer requests
- view audit trail
* Configurable using message number 18 in the 'nbkMSGS' file. Refer to the BACKUP.UNET Customization and Reference Guide.

Administrator

Radio button. When selected, a user can perform the following BACKUP.UNET functions: - backup files
- list and restore any backed up files**
- update network configuration
- edit admin files
- view audit trail
- recycle backups
** Configurable using message number 19 in the 'nbkMSGS' file. Refer to the BACKUP.UNET Customization and Reference Guide.

Host

List box. Specifies the host from which the user will log in to perform BACKUP.UNET functions on the current host.

All Hosts

Radio button. When selected, the user is given the specified privileges on the local host from every remote host on the BACKUP.UNET network. A record for that user on a specific host is also valid. In this instance, user permission is granted based upon the combination of both records.

Adding a New Operator/Administrator

  1. Choose Manage Tables Operators to display the Operators dialog.

  2. Click the Add button to display the Operator Information dialog (Figure 6 3).

  3. Position the text caret at the User Name field and type a valid user name. A valid user name is someone who is included in the '/etc/passwd' file or in the NIS database.

  4. Select the desired permissions.

  5. Select a host. You can do this by either:
    - Selecting a host from the Host field
    OR
    - Selecting All Hosts

  6. Save the operator information by clicking the Apply button. The Operator Information dialog closes.

  7. The new operator and associated host is displayed in the Operators dialog.

Changing Privileges

  1. Choose Manage Tables Operators to display the Operators dialog.

  2. Select the operator record to be changed (Figure 6 2).

  3. Click the Show button to display the Operator Information dialog (Figure 6 3).

  4. Change operator information as necessary, for example, change permissions from Operator and Administrator to just Operator.

  5. Save the changes by clicking the Apply button. The Operator Information dialog closes.

Deleting an Existing Operator/Administrator

  1. Choose Manage Tables Operators to display the Operators dialog.

  2. Select the operator record to be deleted (Figure 6 2).

  3. Click the Delete button.

  4. The system prompts you to confirm the deletion (Figure 6 4).

    Graphic: Figure 6-4. Delete Operator Confirmation Dialog

  5. To delete the user, click the OK button. To cancel the deletion, click the Cancel button.

  6. The Operator Information dialog closes and the operator and associated host are removed from the Operators dialog.

Changing Pool Information

The Pools table contains records of all media pools. Each pool consists of a single, specific type of backup media, such as 9 track, cartridge, or 8mm tapes. A pool can be associated with several hosts.

Viewing the Pool Records

  1. Choose Manage Tables Pools from the BACKUP.UNET main dialog to display the Media Pools dialog (Figure 6 5).

  2. The pools and their associated hosts are displayed in the dialog. If necessary, use the scrollbar to see all of the records.

  3. Select a pool and click the Show button. The Pool Information dialog is displayed (Figure 6 6).

Graphic: Figure 6-5. Media Pools Dialog

Graphic: Figure 6-6. Pool Information Dialog

The fields in the Pool Information dialog are described as follows:

Pool Name

The name of the pool.

Poolmaster

List box. The host that manages this media pool.

Blocking Factor

The number of blocks (blocking factor) used to determine backup record size.

Block Size

The bytes per block used for media volumes in this pool.

Creating a Pool

A media pool is available to any associated hosts through the associated backup devices. For each type of media used, you must create at least one pool. A media pool must exist before backup devices or volumes can be added to the BACKUP.UNET system. You must have administrator privileges to create a media pool. Creating a pool automatically makes the poolmaster a provider for the pool.

  1. From the BACKUP.UNET main dialog, select the host with which the pool is to be associated.

  2. Choose Manage Tables Pools to display the Media Pools dialog. The pools and their associated hosts are displayed in the dialog (Figure 6 5). If necessary, use the scrollbar to see all of the records.

  3. Click the Add button to display the Pool Information dialog (Figure 6 6).

  4. Position the text caret at the Pool Name field and type a pool name.

  5. Select a host from the Poolmaster field that will be the poolmaster for the pool being added. A poolmaster manages volume records. (Other hosts may be associated with a pool but there is only one poolmaster.) The local host is already selected as the default poolmaster.

  6. Select a blocking factor. The default blocking factor is 20. You can either use this default value or specify a different one by clicking the up and down arrow buttons.

  7. Select a block size. The default block size is 512. You can either use this default value or specify a different one by clicking the up and down arrow buttons. Block size is specified in increments of 512.

  8. Save the changes by clicking the Apply button. The Pool Information dialog closes.

  9. The new pool is displayed in the Pools dialog. If necessary use the scroll bars to view the new pool.

Modifying Pool Information

You can modify the following pool characteristics: pool name, poolmaster, blocking factor, and block size.

  1. 1. From the main dialog, select Manage Tables Pools to display the Pools pop up dialog. The pools are displayed in the dialog. Use the scrollbar to see all of the records.

  2. Select the pool record to be changed (Figure 6 5).

  3. Click the Show button to display the Pool Information dialog.

  4. Change pool information as necessary, for example, change the block size from 512 to 1024 (Figure 6 6).

  5. Save the changes by clicking the Apply button. The Pool Information dialog closes.

Deleting a Pool

Before you can delete a pool, all associated volumes must first be deleted from the pool. See Deleting Volumes From a Pool on page 9 11 for instructions.

  1. From the main dialog, select Manage Tables Pools to display the Media Pools dialog.

  2. Select the pool record to be deleted (Figure 6 5).

  3. Click the Delete button.

  4. The system prompts you to confirm the deletion (Figure 6 7).

    Graphic: Figure 6-7. Delete Pool Confirmation Dialog

  5. To delete the selected pool, click the OK button. (To cancel the deletion, click the Cancel button.)

  6. Click the Update button on the Media Pools dialog to update the display.

Changing Device Information

The devices table includes records of all devices on the current host.

A backup device is a piece of peripheral equipment, logically or physically attached to a host computer, that is used to write data to and read data from backup media volumes. A device can be a tape drive or a floppy disk drive.

After you have defined the media pools you can add the associated devices to the pools. You add a backup device to the BACKUP.UNET system during the initial configuration process, or whenever you expand the system and want to include another backup device. Adding a device binds the current host to the pool. (It makes the current host a provider for the pool.)

Note: Before you add a backup device to the BACKUP.UNET system, be sure the pool that will be associated with the device has been defined.

Viewing the Device Records

Use the Devices dialog to display the devices associated with the selected host.

  1. From the main dialog, select a host from the Hosts list box that has devices associated with it.

  2. From the main dialog, choose Manage Tables Devices to display the Devices dialog (Figure 6 8).

    Graphic: Figure 6-8. Devices Dialog

  3. The devices associated with the selected host are displayed. If necessary, use the scrollbar to see all of the records.

  4. To display information for a specific device record, select a device record and click the Show button.

  5. The Device Information dialog is displayed (Figure 6 9).

    Graphic: Figure 6-9. Device Information Dialog

    The fields in the Device Information dialog are described as follows:

    Device Name

    Indicates the name of the device.

    Pools Serviced

    Identifies the pool for which the device provides services. A device can be associated with more than one pool, as long as all pools sharing the device are compatible with the specific media type.

  6. To close the Device Information dialog, click the Dismiss button.

Adding a Device to a Pool

Note: A media pool must exist before backup devices or volumes can be added to the BACKUP.UNET system. See Creating a Pool on page 6 11 for instructions on creating a pool.

  1. From the main dialog, choose Manage Tables Devices to display the Devices dialog.

  2. Click the Add button to display the Device Information dialog (Figure 6 9).

  3. Position the text caret at the Device Name field and type a valid device name (for example, /dev/rst1).

  4. In the Pools Serviced list box, select the pool or pools with which this device is associated.

  5. To save the changes click the Apply button. The Device Information dialog closes.

  6. The new device is displayed in the Devices dialog.

Deleting a Device From a Pool

When you no longer will use a device, you can remove it from the system.

  1. From the main dialog, choose Manage Tables Devices to display the Devices dialog.

  2. Select the device record to be deleted (Figure 6 8).

  3. Click the Delete button.

  4. The system prompts you to confirm the deletion (Figure 6 10).

    Graphic: Figure 6-10. Delete Device Confirmation Dialog

  5. To delete the selected device, click the OK button. To cancel the deletion, click the Cancel button.

Changing a Device's Associated Host

You need to change the host that a device is associated with when you are physically moving the device from one host to another. Display the device record for the host with which the device is currently associated. Then delete that device record. Next display the device records for the new host, and add the device under this new host:

  1. In the Hosts list box on the BACKUP.UNET main dialog, choose the host with which the device is currently associated.

  2. Choose Manage Tables Devices to display the Devices dialog.

  3. Select the device record and click the Delete button. Click the OK button when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.

  4. Close the Devices dialog by clicking the Dismiss button.

  5. Return to the BACKUP.UNET main dialog and choose the new host with which the device is to be associated.

  6. Choose Manage Tables Devices to redisplay the Devices dialog.

  7. Click the Add button to display the Device Information dialog.

  8. Enter the device name and select the pools. \

  9. To save the changes click the Apply button. The device is now associated with a new host.

Changing a Pool's Associated Device

To change a pool that a device is associated with, simply display the device record and change the Pool field:

  1. From the main dialog, choose Manage Tables Devices to display the Devices dialog.

  2. Select the device record to be modified.

  3. Click the Show button to display the Device Information dialog.

  4. In the Pools Serviced list box, select the pool or pools with which this device is associated.

  5. Save the changes by clicking the Apply button. The Device Information dialog closes.

Changing Host Information

The Hosts table includes records of all participating hosts. Initial records are entered and default values for these parameters are established when BACKUP.UNET is installed on the host. You change host information from the BACKUP.UNET main dialog.

Viewing Host Information

Use the Host Information dialog to display the selected host type.

  1. From the BACKUP.UNET main dialog, use the Hosts list box to select the host for which you want to display information.

  2. Click the Show button. The Host Information dialog is displayed (Figure 6 11):

    Graphic: Figure 6-11. Host Information Dialog

    The fields in the Host Information dialog are described as follows:

    Host Name

    Indicates the name of the host.

    Host Type

    Indicates if the host runs a backup/restore processor (BRP) or an I/O provider (IOP) or both, and if the host is an administrative reporting station (Reporting) or a syncro server.

  3. To close the Host Information dialog, click the Dismiss button.

Modifying Host Information

  1. From the BACKUP.UNET main dialog, use the Hosts list box to select the host for which you want to display information.

  2. Click the Show button. The Host Information dialog is displayed (Figure 6 11):

  3. Add new attributes for the host by clicking on unselected types, and/or remove attributes by clicking on selected types.

  4. Save the changes by clicking the Apply button.

Re-Adding a Host

Note: This feature can only be used to re-add a host that was removed from the BACKUP.UNET system, but retains the current BACKUP.UNET software. To add a completely new host to BACKUP.UNET, you must perform an installation. Refer to the BACKUP.UNET Installation Guide for installation instructions.

  1. 1. From the BACKUP.UNET main dialog, click the Add button to display a new Host Information dialog (Figure 6 11).

  2. Position the text caret at the Host Name field and type the name of the host being added.

  3. Select the host type by choosing one or more of the following types:
    BRP Indicates the new host runs a BRP (backup/restore) processor.
    IOP Indicates the new host is an input/output (I/O) provider.
    Reporting Indicates the new host is an administrative reporting station.
    Syncro Server Indicates the new host is responsible for maintaining the global tables.

  4. Save the changes by clicking the Apply button. The Host Information dialog closes.

  5. The new host is displayed in the Hosts list box of the BACKUP.UNET main dialog.

Deleting a Host

Deleting a host does not remove the BACKUP.UNET software. Deleting a host simply removes its host record from the tables, thus making it unavailable. When you will no longer use a host, you can remove it from the system. For example, you may need to delete a host if it will be unavailable for an extended period of time due to servicing.

  1. 1. Manually recycle all dumps from the host you are going to delete. (See Manual Recycling on page 10 5 for instructions on recycling dumps manually.)

  2. Unbind all pools and devices from the host you are going to delete. See Changing a Device's Associated Host on page 6 18 for instructions on unbinding a device from a host (and thus unbinding a pool). If this host is a poolmaster, you must change the poolmaster to another host. See Modifying Pool Information on page 6 12 for instructions.

  3. From the Hosts list box of the BACKUP.UNET main dialog, select the host to be deleted. Note: You cannot delete the local host.

  4. Click the Delete button.

  5. The system prompts you to confirm the deletion (Figure 6 12 ).

    Graphic: Figure 6-12. Delete Host Confirmation Dialog

  6. To delete the selected host, click OK. To cancel the deletion, click Cancel.

Changing Media Type Information

BACKUP.UNET uses media type files to identify each type of backup media. There is a media type file for each type of media used. BACKUP.UNET supplies pre defined media type files; however, you can modify the media type files and define new media type files for additional types that are not included in the default types.(Refer to the BACKUP.UNET Customization and Reference Guide for more information on media type files.)

The media type files are located in the '$NBK/nbk-TYPES' directory. Each type file contains the capacity [-s size] and location [-l location] arguments for each media type used by BACKUP.UNET. For example, the '8mm.120' type file contains the following arguments: 

-s 4176400 
-l "Computer Room"

Displaying the Media Type Files

  1. From the main dialog choose Manage Tables Media Types.

  2. The Media Types dialog (Figure 6 13) is displayed:

    Graphic: Figure 6-13. Media Types Dialog

  3. To display the contents of a specific media type file, select a media type and click the Show button.

  4. The Media Type Information dialog is displayed (Figure 6 14).

    Graphic: Figure 6-14. Media Type Information Dialog

  5. The Media Type Information dialog contains the following fields:
    Media Name---Displays the name of the media type file.
    Capacity (blocks)---Indicates the capacity of the corresponding media type.
    Location---Indicates the physical location of the media.

Adding a Media Type File

To add a new media type file:

  1. From the main dialog choose Manage Tables Media Types to display the Media Types dialog.

  2. Click the Add button. The Media Type Information dialog is displayed (Figure 6 14).

  3. Enter the name of the new media type file in the Media Name field.

  4. Enter the capacity of the media type, in blocks, in the Capacity field.

  5. Enter the location of the media type, in the Location field.

  6. Save the changes by clicking the Apply button. The new media type file is displayed in the Media Types dialog.

Deleting a Media Type File

To delete a media type file:

  1. From the main dialog choose Manage Tables Media Types to display the Media Types dialog.

  2. Select the media type file to be deleted (Figure 6 13).

  3. Click the Delete button.

  4. The system prompts you to confirm the deletion (Figure 6 15).

    Graphic: Figure 6-15. Delete Media Types Confirmation Dialog

  5. To delete the selected media type file, click the OK button. To cancel the deletion, click the Cancel button.

Modifying a Media Type File

To modify a media type file:

  1. From the main dialog choose Manage Tables Media Types to display the Media Types dialog.

  2. Select the media type file to be changed (Figure 6 13).

  3. Click the Show button.

  4. The Media Type Information dialog is displayed (Figure 6 14).

  5. Modify the information as necessary.

  6. To save the changes click the Apply button.