File backup

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Use either the backup command or the smit command to create copies of your files on backup media, such as a magnetic tape or diskette.

Attention: If you attempt to back up a mounted file system, a message displays. The backup command continues, but inconsistencies in the file system can occur. This situation does not apply to the root (/) file system.

The copies you created with the backup command or the smit command are in one of the following backup formats:

  • Specific files backed up by name, using the -i flag.
  • Entire file system backed up by i-node number, using the -Level and FileSystem parameters.
    Note:
    • The possibility of data corruption always exists when a file is modified during system backup. Therefore, make sure that system activity is at a minimum during the system backup procedure.
    • If a backup is made to 8-mm tape with the device block size set to 0 (zero), it is not possible to directly restore data from the tape. If you have done backups with the 0 setting, you can restore data from them by using special procedures described under the restore command.
Attention: Be sure the flags you specify match the backup media.