picturetel mcs: backing up and restoring...

Backing Upand Restoring

Software

This chapter introduces the procedures you’ll use to back up and restore the MCS software operating system, database, and applications software with the BackMaster utility.

9
Backing Up and
Restoring Software

Backing up the software on a bridge is a necessary and routine task that’s often neglected. However, it’s important to do it regularly and well to ensure that you can quickly recover from any type of bridge malfunction (a mechanical failure, for example) or a larger disaster (the facility burning down, for instance).

If you do not have up-to-date backups, you cannot restore the bridge (or a replacement) to its current operating condition. Make every effort to keep a current backup copy of the entire system and the database: you never know when you’ll need it.

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BACKING UP AND RESTORING SOFTWARE

Overview: What, When, and How

You need to perform two types of backups in order to protect the different types of programs and data on the bridge and to minimize the amount of time you spend performing the task.

❑ A full image backup creates a copy of everything on the MCS’s hard drive: the operating system, the bridge’s own software, and the data in the MCS database. This procedure must be done whenever there is a significant change in the bridge’s operating system or software or once a month. You use the bridge’s tape drive to create a full image backup; it usually takes about an hour.

❑ A database backup creates a copy of all the videoconferencing information in the MCS database: the system configuration, users, groups, conferences, sites, and so on. This procedure should be done whenever the information in the database changes; when information is deleted or added. You use the bridge’s diskette drive to perform a database backup; it takes just a few minutes.

In each case, these guidelines are just that; guidelines. For instance, if your bridge is an important link in a corporation’s communications system or is part of a commercial information provider’s network, you’ll probably want to make backups more often to protect the bridge’s log and accounting files. You’ll need to balance the need for backups against the value of your time and the value of the bridge to your organization.

Table 9-1: How full image and database backups compare

Type of backup What is protected When to perform How long it takes

Full image on tape

Operating system

Applications software

MCS database

All support files

Whenever there is a change in the software, or once a month, whichever is more often.

About two hours (although it will take longer if you need to format a tape cartridge, have an old, slow tape drive, or have an especially large database).

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Software toolsPictureTel bridges are delivered with BackMaster, a commercial backup utility program that we feel is the best tool for PictureTel bridge backup and restore tasks. The instructions in this chapter are written for BackMaster 2.0, which is delivered with MCS software levels of 5.0.C1 and greater. If you are using an older version of software, follow the instructions in the original documentation set.

? The first time BackMaster is run from the hard drive, doesn’t it require a configuration form to be filled out? What about from floppy?

Database backup on diskettes

MCS database Whenever the MCS database changes, or weekly, whichever is more often.

Depends upon the size of the database, but usually fewer than 15 minutes.

Table 9-1: How full image and database backups compare

Type of backup What is protected When to perform How long it takes

F Y I F.Y.I. For more information on BackMaster and its capabilities contact its publisher, MSR Development, for a manual. MSR can be reached at:

4407 Manchester Ave. #104Encinitas, CA 92024

619 633-3900

http://www.msrdev.com

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SuppliesBefore you begin any procedure, you’ll need either tape cartridges (for a full image backup) or diskettes (for a database backup). In most cases, you’ll use one tape cartridge and three diskettes.

For tape backup procedures, you must match the tape cartridge you use to the type of tape drive in your bridge. Most tape drives display their model or supported format clearly on their front panel or door. You can also use the table below, which lists types of drives used in PictureTel bridges and the supported tape format.

All diskette drives in all bridges use IBM format high-density 3.5 inch diskettes.

FormattingBefore either a tape cartridge or a diskette can be used, it must be formatted. Formatting prepares the media so that the drive can write information to it. Both diskettes and tapes can be purchased

Table 9-2: PictureTel bridge tape drive formats

Bridge Tape drive labelTape cartridge

format

PictureTel Prism Travan

(indicates a Colorado T1000 tape drive)

QIC-80 Travan

Montage Colorado 350 QIC-80 or QIC-80 XL

Colorado 250 QIC-80

Colorado 120 (may be unlabeled)

QIC-40

T I P

Try to use new media for backups. Used media can be reformatted and reused, but media that is reused tends to be more prone to failure than new media.

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pre-formatted, which eliminates your having to perform this preparatory step (formatting a tape cartridge can take two hours or more). If you elect to reuse tapes or diskettes that have information on them or you purchase new but unformatted media, formatting is required in order to erase the old information and to prepare the media for the new information.

DiskettesTo format a diskette:

1. Insert the diskette into a drive on either a bridge or an IBM-compatible personal computer, such as a Workstation PC.

2. At a shell prompt (on a bridge) or a DOS prompt (on a PC), enter:

format a: /u

3. The program asks if you want to enter an optional volume label.

Entering a volume label can be useful to quickly identify diskettes belonging to a particular backup set.

4. When the diskette has been formatted, you are prompted to format additional diskettes.

If you respond by typing N, for no, the program ends.

If you respond by typing Y, for yes, you’re prompted for another diskette.

Tape CartridgesTo format a tape cartridge:

Note: If your bridge does not have a mouse installed, use the keystroke commands in parenthesis.

1. On the bridge, at a shell prompt, change directories to the BackMaster install directory.

Enter:cd \backmast

2. Run the BackMaster program.

At a shell prompt, enter:backmast

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The main BackMaster window opens.

? Screen shot 3. Format the tape.

Pull down the Utilities menu (press Alt+U) and activate Format tape (press Ctrl+F).

The Format Tape window opens.

4. Enter a name for the tape (optional).

The cursor is in the Name field. Highlight Untitled and then type a name for this backup tape (typically a date).

? Screen shot 5. Start the format operation.

Activate Format (press Alt+F).

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Backing Up the MCS

Backing Up the MCS

This section tells how to perform a full image back up that copies the MCS operating system, application software, and database to tape and how to back up only the database to diskettes. These two types of backup procedures complement each other; they do not replace each other. You need to perform both to protect the bridge and its data.

Full Image Back UpThere are two methods you can use to create a full image backup of everything on the MCS hard drive.

❑ The first method runs BackMaster in single user mode, automatically, with the bridge offline.

❑ The second method runs BackMaster under the OS/2 Presentation Manager while the bridge is online.

This means that conferences can take place while the backup is created. However, conferencing quality may degrade because the bridge’s processing power is divided between backing up and managing videoconferences. The level of quality depends on the bridge’s processing power and the complexity of the conferences. Quite often, no conferencing quality is noticeable.

Caution

Because the restoration process cannot copy a database from one software version into a different version, you must back up a database from and restore it to the same software version. Therefore, every time you install a new software version, you should back up the database immediately.

Backing Up In Single User ModeTo perform a full image backup in single user mode:

1. Pick a time when no conferences are taking place and none are scheduled for at least two hours.

2. Insert a blank, formatted tape cartridge into the bridge’s tape drive.

3. Start the backup program.

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On the bridge, in a Workplace Shell window at a shell prompt, enter:BACKUP

This command runs a batch file that reboots the MCS and uses BackMaster to copy the entire contents of the hard disk to tape.

When the backup is complete, a prompt to reboot the system is displayed.

Note: If you see error messages before the backup is complete, correct the problem and start the procedure over.

4. Reboot the MCS by pressing the Reset button to return to normal operation.

5. Remove the tape from the drive and label the cartridge.

? Is the command line backup a verified backup?

Backing Up Under the Presentation ManagerTo perform a full image backup using OS/2’s Presentation Manager:

1. Pick a time when the conferencing load will be light for at least two hours.

2. Insert a blank, formatted tape cartridge into the bridge’s tape drive.

Note: If your bridge does not have a mouse installed, use the keystroke commands in parenthesis.

3. On the bridge, at a shell prompt, change directories to the BackMaster install directory.

Enter:cd \backmast

4. Run the BackMaster program.

T I P

Many sites keep their backup tapes stored away from the bridge location to ensure that if a disaster occurs, the tapes and data are safe. There’s no safety in keeping both tapes and bridge in the same room; both can be destroyed by the same accident.

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Backing Up the MCS

At a shell prompt, enter:backmast

The main BackMaster window opens.

5. Confirm that the automatic verify option is active.

This makes the backup program double-check the tape it creates to ensure the accuracy of the file on the tape.

a. Pull down the Options menu (press Alt+O) and select Configuration (press Ctrl+C).

The Configuration Options window opens.

b. Activate the Auto verify enabled checkbox (press Tab to move to the checkbox and then press the spacebar to activate it).

c. Activate OK.

The main window reopens.

6. Retension the tape (If you just formatted the tape and it has not been removed from the drive, you may skip this step.).

? Screen shot Pull down the Utilities menu (press Alt+U) and activate Retension tape (press Ctrl+R).

7. Set the scope of the back up.

Pull down the Backup menu (press Alt+B) and activate Full (press Ctrl+F).

? Check keystrokes The Drive Selection window opens.

8. Set the included drives.

? Check keystrokes Highlight the C: drive listing (Use the arrow keys to move the cursor and the spacebar to set or remove a highlight.).

Caution

Make sure the DOS compatible checkbox is not activated.

Activate OK.

The Backup — Full window opens.

9. Start the back up program.

Activate Start backup (press Alt+S).

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The Progress Indicator Display window opens and displays the progress of the backup and the verification.

When both operations are complete, the main window reopens.

Backing Up the Database to DiskettesWhenever you make changes to the MCS database, you should back up the database to diskette. The MCS must be taken offline to back up the database, so make sure you do this at a time when no conferences are taking place.

You need at least three formatted diskettes to perform this procedure. If your database is large, you may need more diskettes.

To back up the database to diskette:

1. On the bridge, in the Workplace Shell, kill the MCS control program:

a. Press Ctrl+Esc.

The Window List opens.

b. Highlight QM_MAIN.EXE, and press Enter.

The QM_MAIN window opens.

c. Press Alt+F4.

The window closes, ending the program.

2. Insert a blank formatted diskette into the diskette drive.

3. Change directories to the SQLLIB directory.

At a shell prompt, enterCD \SQLLIB

4. Run the backup/restore program.

At a shell prompt, enter:START RECOVERY.EXE

The RECOVERY.EXE window opens.

5. Select the database to back up.

? Screen snap Highlight QMDB.

6. Open the Backup database window.

Press Alt, then D, and then Enter.

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Backing Up the MCS

The Backup Database window opens.

7. Set the back up parameters.

a. Select A: as the target drive.

b. Select Entire Database.

c. Select Backup.

The Backing Up Database QMDB window opens.

8. Respond to the prompts to switch diskettes as needed.

If you use multiple diskettes, be sure to label each diskette so that you can tell which diskette was processed first, second, and so on (disk 1 of 3, 2 of 3, etc.).

When the backup is complete, the Backup Database window opens and a message stating that the operation was successful is displayed.

9. End the program.

Select Cancel.


10. Close the window.

Press Alt, then ←, and then C.

The Workplace Shell window opens.

11. Reboot the MCS to resume normal operation.

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Restoring Software or Data to an MCS

Provided your backups are current, you’ll use backups of the database on diskettes to recover from a minor problem, such as when the bridge has been configured improperly, or some information has been deleted from the database by mistake.

Restoring a full image from tape is the tool to use to recover from catastrophic situations like these examples:

❑ Some of the software (either the operating system or the applications software) has been corrupted

❑ A software upgrade has been aborted

❑ Hard drive failure

After a tape restore, you’re likely to also restore a database backup because the database backups should be more up-to-date than the tape backups because they’re performed more often.

Restoring a Database From Diskette

Caution

The restoration process cannot copy a database from one software version into a different version, because the database structure changes to reflect the new software’s capabilities. Therefore, you must take care that you restore a database to the same software version that was used to create the data.

To restore the MCS database from diskettes:

1. On the bridge, in the Workplace Shell, kill the MCS control program:

a. Press Ctrl+Esc.

The Window List opens.

b. Highlight QM_MAIN.EXE, and press Enter.

The QM_MAIN window opens.

c. Press Alt+F4.

The window closes, ending the program.

2. Insert the first backup diskette into the diskette drive.

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3. Change directories to the SQLLIB directory.

At a shell prompt, enterCD \SQLLIB

4. Run the backup/restore program.

At a shell prompt, enter:START RECOVERY.EXE


5. Select the database to restore.

? Screen snap Highlight QMDB.

6. Open the Recover Into a New Database window.

Press Alt, then R, and then Enter.

The Recover Into a New Database window opens.

7. Set the restore parameters.

a. Type QMDB in the Database field.

b. Select A: as the source drive.

c. Select C: as the target drive.

8. Start the restore.

a. Activate Start.

A message is displayed warning that the database exists and that restoring it deletes all data from the existing database.

b. Activate Start.

The Restoring Database QMDB window opens.

9. Respond to the prompts to switch diskettes as needed.

When the restoration is complete, the Recover Into a New Database opens and a message saying that the operation was successful is displayed.

10. End the program.

Select Cancel.


11. Close the window.

Press Alt, then ←, and then C.

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The Workplace Shell window opens.

12. Reboot the MCS to resume normal operation.

Restoring a System From TapeIf the MCS operating system, application software, or database becomes corrupted or you have problems with the MCS hard drive, you can perform a full restoration of the system from a backup tape. To do this, you must have the bridge’s Boot Diskettes. Before you begin this procedure, make sure that MCS Boot Diskettes are not write-protected.

Remember that to get the bridge to the same status it was before the problem occurred, you may also have to restore a copy of the database from diskette if the database backup was created more recently than the full image backup.

F Y I F.Y.I. You also have the option, if you use BackMaster’s Presentation Manager interface, of selectively restoring just some files or directories from a full backup tape.

You can elect to do this if you have identified a problem as not effecting the entire system. For instance, if a directory or a set of files have been erased or corrupted.

To perform this procedure, invoke BackMaster at a system prompt by entering:BACKMAST

Then refer to BackMaster’s online help for instruction on the Restore menu’s options.

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Partitioning and Formatting the Hard DiskTo partition and format the MCS hard disk:

1. Insert MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 in the diskette drive.

2. Press the Reset button to reboot the MCS.

After the bridge performs its startup diagnostics, an A:> system prompt is displayed.

3. Insert MCS Boot Disk 2 of 2 in the diskette drive.

4. Partition the disk.

a. Enter:FDISK

b. Insert MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 in the diskette drive.

c. Reboot the MCS.

d. When the A: prompt is displayed, insert MCS Boot Disk 2 of 2 in the diskette drive.

5. Format the hard disk.

a. Enter:FORMAT

A warning message is displayed, saying that the procedure deletes all data and asking if you want to continue.

b. Press Y (for Yes).

A message displays when the format progam is done.

F Y I F.Y.I. Although it is an optional step, it is strongly recommended that before you format the MCS hard disk before you restore a full image tape. This provides a clean hard drive for the restoration and can eliminate some types of hard drive errors.

However, if you’re very sure that your problem was not caused by a hard drive problem and you’re short of time, you can simply overwrite the MCS’s existing software with the contents of the backup tape. If you elect to do this, skip the Partitioning and Formatting the Hard Disk procedure.

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c. Insert MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 in the diskette drive.

Enter:SWAP

A prompt to reboot the system is displayed. The procedure is complete.

Restoring an Entire System From TapeTo restore from tape, you must have both MCS Boot Diskettes. Then, follow these instructions:

1. Make sure that MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 is not write protected (the write protect slide should cover the write protect hole).

2. Insert MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 into the diskette drive.

3. If you did not format the hard drive, enter:SWAP.

A prompt to reboot the system is displayed.

4. Press the Reset button to reboot the MCS.

When the A: prompt is displayed, insert MCS Boot Disk 2 of 2 in the diskette drive.

5. Insert the backup tape into the tape drive.

6. Install the operating system:

Enter:BMREST

The BackMaster Configuration window opens:

? Snap The keys you use to navigate and to select options are listed on the bottom of the screen.

7. Set the restore parameters.

a. Press Tab to move the cursor to the Restore to field.

Use the arrow keys to highlight C:.

b. Press Tab to move the cursor to the Overwrite Options field.

Use the arrow keys to highlight Always.

c. Press Tab to move the cursor to the Restore from field.

Use the arrow keys to highlight your bridge’s tape drive. ;

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When all settings are correct, press Enter.

The Volume to Restore window opens.

d. Press Enter to accept the default setting.

The BackMaster window reopens and a directory tree of the data on the backup tape is displayed.

e. Press the space bar.

An F is displayed in front of the +\. This selects all files on the tape.

8. Start restoring data.

Press F10 to begin the restore process.

The Restore in Progress window opens and shows the progress of the program as it reads data from the tape and writes it to the hard drive. The process may take 20 minutes or longer.

When the restore operation is complete, a completion message is displayed and the tape activity indicator light goes off.

Select OK to acknowledge the completion message.

The BackMaster Configuration window reopens.

9. Quit the restore program.

Press F3 to exit BackMaster.

? Check this. I think it should be A:

You see the C:\ prompt.

10. Finish the procedure.

a. Insert MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 in the diskette drive.

b. EnterNOSWAP

A prompt to reboot the system is displayed.

Bridge Tape drive label Restore from menu selection

PictureTel Prism Travan Colorado T1000 tape drive

Montage Colorado 350 Colorado Jumbo 350

Colorado 250 Colorado Jumbo 250

Colorado 120 or unlabeled Colorado 120

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c. Remove the tape and diskette from the drives and press the Reset button.

After the MCS reboots, the system begins operating using the database information from the backup tape. If you have database backup diskettes that were created more recently than the tape, restore the database by performing “Restoring a Database From Diskette” on page 12.

If the system does not start operating, repeat the restore process beginning with “Partitioning and Formatting the Hard Disk” on page 15.

If the system does not begin operating correctly after the second restore, contact PictureTel Customer Service at 508 762-5900, or, within North America, 800 874-2835

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Backing Up and Restoring the Workstation Software

Backing Up and Restoring the Workstation Software

You need to back up only the MCS workstation configuration files. These files contain information such as the connection type and modem settings for connections to the MCS. The program files themselves can always be restored from the software installation diskettes.

To back up the MCS workstation configuration files, on the Workstation PC:

1. Insert a blank, formatted diskette in the diskette drive.

2. At a DOS prompt, enter:COPY C:\MCSWS\*.CFG A:

3. When the COPY program has finished, remove the diskette and label it.

To restore MCS workstation configuration files, on the Workstation PC:

1. Insert the Workstation backup diskette in the diskette drive.

2. At a DOS prompt, enter:COPY A:*.* C:\MCSWS\

A warning prompt is displayed that asks if you want to overwrite the existing files. Press A to overwrite all existing files with the files from the diskette.

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picturetel mcs: backing up and restoring...

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