I have to learn how to backup my server 1

[SeanAIX430]

AIX 4.3
4GB 4mm tape drive

I had assumed that the backup was working properly since before I arrived here at the company. Of course today we need to get something back and there's nothing on the tape. I have no idea how to check the tape or setup a backup. So if you could tell me how to:

Format the tape(if necessary)
backup the OS once and keep that tape offsite
backup all the data on the server
setup the backup schedule to run every night

Thanks!

 

[SeanAIX430]

Hey Ken,

This was posted a little higher up by me:

# cat nightly
tar -cvf /dev/rmt0 /usr/ud41 /kendall /etc > /tmp/backup.doc

I think I get the gist of the first part, tar all the files in the /usr/ud41 /kendall /etc directories to the tape, but the backup.doc thing confuses me. Is this a log? How can i grab that file and transfer it to my computer so I can read it? I only ever use telnet to connect to the AIX server.
THanks!

 

[KenCunningham]

Sorry, missed that above. backup.doc should be a log of the backup. You can transfer it to your PC using ftp from a DOS prompt, cd to /tmp and get backup.doc. You can examine what's on the tape using:

tar -tvf /dev/rmt0

Post back if this doesn't make sense (it's early here!).

 

[SeanAIX430]

Sorry that I didn't respond, but all your advie was great and worked. It was just what I needed. Thanks a Ton!