Background : We currently run a single Linux LPAR which is taken down once a week during which time we run a full volume backup, using Innovation Data Processing's FDR Backup, off to 3590 Tape (all under one of our z/OS LPARS). Although this backup strategy has work up till now, there are apparent limitations to this approach. The most obvious being the inability to restore single files without restoring the entire volume to an alternate DASD volume, mounting that volume at a different mount point and copying the required files over the corrupt/current files. We are looking to go the z/VM route some time in 2004. We would like to start looking at backup/restore products which could help us now in the LPAR environment and into the future (under z/VM). We run with a StorageTech Silo which, currently, is only accessible from the z/OS LPARS and there are, currently, no plans to make it accessible from the Linux images when we go z/VM.
Questions : 1) Is anyone using a backup product which will allow us to backup/restore a Linux file system at the file level, from a z/OS system? 2) I believe "Upstream S/390 Linux" (by Innovation Data Processing) can do the above, does anyone currently use this product, any "war stories" you'd be willing to relate? 3) Are there any gotchas we should watch out for (regarding backup/restore products) when we move from LPAR mode to z/VM? Thanks -- Harold This transmission may contain information that is privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you received this transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format. Thank you. A1.
