Originally posted by: apple08

dear AIX guru,
i have a tape that is used for previous system backup from another server, if i want to backup another using the same tape, will it append or overwrite the existing content. what is the best practise for system backup. one system backup inside one tape? we are using imation tape of dds4. hope to hear from you. thank you
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Originally posted by: KentPerrier

The writing of a mksysb backup will start at the beginning of the tape. It has to be there so that the system can find the information it needs to boot from that tape. For this reason, you should have one tape for each system you want to take a mksysb of.
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Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

I see this way, If you have a problem and you need to use the mksysb is best have the booteable media immediately for recovery the server that you need to enter in maintenance mode in the restricted shell to manipulated commands for the tape for looking the position the correct mksysb that you need to use.
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Originally posted by: apple08

would like to confirm my understanding, whenever i use the old dds tape to do backup (that is used for previous system backup), it will always write to the beginning of the tape.

let say:
dds tape 1 - used for mksysb for system A on 1 dec 2008
dds tape 1 - used for mksysb for system B on 8 dec 2008

the dds tape 1 should only contain mksysb for system B as its written at the beginning of the tape and will overwrite system A mksysb.

hope to hear frm you. thank you
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