mkcd versus mksysb

[mag007]

I've been looking thru some threads, and noticed a lot of people, espeically the MVPs, recommending mkcd to create rootvg backups.

What is the advantage of mkcd? I know you can create a bootable ISO image of AIX (CD or DVD). Also, mkcd you can probally restore the system quicker, and get into Maintenence mode faster due to speed of CD drives.

Is there a point I am missing?

TIA

 

[Gloups]

To create a bootable image you first have to use mksysb.

Then if you want to have your bootable mksysb on a cd or dvd, you have to use mkcd to burn the mksysbon the disk.

If you try smit mkcd, the fisrt question it asks is :"Use an existing mksysb image?

 

[p5wizard]

Also, on some systems a tapedrive is not available, so with mkcd you can build an iso file, which is then burned on a CD-R or DVD-R capable system, so you have a way to reinstall via the DVD or CD drive of the non-tapedrive system.


HTH,

p5wizard

 

[mag007]

How big are these .iso files?

Are they compressed to be 650MB?

 

[RodKnowlton]

The size of the iso will depend on the used space in your rootvg. If more than one CD is required, multiple isos are produced.

By default, mkcd will create a temporary filesystem to create the iso(s) on, then remove it once it's done burning the DVD/CD. If you want to use another machine or PC to do the burning, use the "-S" option to stop before burning and leave the isos untouched, then transfer them.

- Rod


IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert pSeries and AIX 5L
CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA Security+

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[columb]

How big are these .iso files?

To give some examples - for my playbox I have a rebuild CD with barebones AIX 5.1 ML9 and it fits on one CD. Very handy for going back to a known baseline.

For our production systems it tends to work out at more like 4-5 CDs (mkcd takes care of muliple CD images) and takes a considerable time to prepare. I use mksysb images under NIM for the day to day backups and make CD images only when I've done a major upgrade.

Our DR plan has, amoungst other circumstances, the NIM server down. Step one is to rebuild it from CD and then restore from tape the mksysb images of the other servers. Fortunately I've never had to do it for real yet!

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Columb Healy