Can't Arcserve restore just a file?

[3dawgs]

Hi. Running Arcserve 11.1 on a Novell server here. Can someone please take 30 seconds and explain to me how to do a file/folder restore from the server console?

From the Arcserve console, under the "Source" section of the restore page, I'm not given an option to choose WHAT to restore. I'm not running the client manager application from my office, which I know would make things easier, but at the moment I'm having problems getting it to work. This is why I'm trying to use the server console.

Can I get there from here?

 

[blister911]

I've never done a restore from the console, but could you use the filters option to include just the file/folder you want to restore?

 

[davidmichel]

not familiar with the NetWare version, so I'd say best bet is to check the manual.

 

[3dawgs]

I guess what I'm just having difficulty with is getting over my experiences with Backup Exec, and realize that Arcserve isn't as good.

With BE, I used to be able to (and this is also from the Novell console...I hate using the client agents) scan the backup history, go to a specific backup and browse all the way down to a file if I wanted, highlight it, submit the job, throw in the right tape and whammo. I don't see any kind of job catalog from which to choose my restore in Arcserve.

I hate to post and rip, but Arcserve kinda blows compared
to BE. Your mileage may vary...

 

[blister911]

If you decide to try the restore via the console, let me know if the filters work or how you go about doing it. It would be nice to know in case I ever run into that situation.

Thanks.

 

[3dawgs]

I'm not sure it's even possible yet, but if it is and I'm lucky enough to find out how (man, you'd think this would be easier...or that I'd be smarter) I'll be sure to post it.

For low-maintenance users like myself who don't span backups across several tapes or even do incrementals, being able to do simple file restores like this is essential. Maybe I should be spending my time figuring out why I can't get my workstation's Arcserve manager to see my Novell server, but again, I'm trying to keep it low maintenance. Inevitably, one of my users will come to me tomorrow complaining that they accidentally erased a file from the "So-and-so" folder and that they need it back. It sucks that my only option here is to restore the entire folder.

 

[blister911]

Well for accidental file deletions, have the users SALVAGE the files themselves. Unless you are purging files immediately, you should be able to do a salvage.

As for your restore, I'll see if I can play with it and get it to work. Like I said, I've never done it this way before.

Regarding your manager install, do you have the server name in the host file of you workstation? You need it there. Are you loading a port number at the end of the CATIRPC load line in asconfig.ini? If so you need to have that port in the portconfig.cfg file.

 

[blister911]

I was able to restore a file from the console. There are a couple of things you need to know. What tape its on and the session number.

Here is what I did:
1. Manually loaded the tape (we use a loader, so I wanted the tape in the drive)
2. Got into the restore server and logged in
3. Selected the session number
4. Selected the restore path (we restore to temp location not to the original)
5. Set Filters 1 directory (where the file is located, not the entire path) and 1 file (file name)
6. Set Options (set delay time from 5 min to 0 min)
7. Set file conflict resolution (skip file if exists)
8. Run

Note: you need to hit enter after inputting a value before selecting F2 to save or it will not recognize the value you entered.

Good Luck.

 

[3dawgs]

Well, I'm a little bit closer now than before, but I clearly used the wrong syntax when entering in my file location. I tried doing a test restore of a single file in a single folder to a new "restores" location I just created...it tried writing the entire Sys: volume to my new location! Can you show me what the correct syntax should be for the following example:

Missing file: Vol1:Home\Users\JSmith\car.jpg
Want to restore to: Vol1:Restores\

So, if I understand you correctly, I'll need to know exactly what the file(s) names are before I can do a restore. Hmmm...seems like there should be some way to browse the backup's session database and simply search for it instead, but maybe this is the limitation of using the server console.

Thanks for the help with this.

 

[blister911]

Yes, I believe not being able to browse is a limitation of the console. The manager definitely lets you do it.

Make these filters
File: Include car.jpg (I believe you could also use wildcard like car.*)
Directory: Include \Home\Users\JSmith

Note: You have to have the correct session selected. It is at the top of the restore screen.