CA ARCserve® Backup for
Windows
Agent for IBM Informix Guide
r12.5
CA Product References
This documentation set references the following CA products:
BrightStor® ARCserve® Backup for Laptops and Desktops
BrightStor® CA-Dynam®/TLMS Tape Management
BrightStor® CA-Vtape™ Virtual Tape System
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BrightStor® Enterprise Backup
BrightStor® High Availability
BrightStor® Storage Resource Manager
CA Antivirus
CA ARCserve® Backup Agent for Advantage™ Ingres®
CA ARCserve® Backup Agent for Novell Open Enterprise Server for Linux
CA ARCserve® Backup Agent for Open Files on NetWare
CA ARCserve® Backup Agent for Open Files on Windows
CA ARCserve® Backup Client Agent for FreeBSD
CA ARCserve® Backup Client Agent for Linux
CA ARCserve® Backup Client Agent for Mainframe Linux
CA ARCserve® Backup Client Agent for NetWare
CA ARCserve® Backup Client Agent for UNIX
CA ARCserve® Backup Client Agent for Windows
CA ARCserve® Backup Enterprise Option for AS/400
CA ARCserve® Backup Enterprise Option for Open VMS
CA ARCserve® Backup for Microsoft Windows Essential Business Server
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Agent for IBM Informix
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Agent for Lotus Domino
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Agent for Microsoft Exchange
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Agent for Microsoft SharePoint
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Agent for Microsoft SQL Server
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Agent for Oracle
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Agent for Sybase
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Agent for Virtual Machines
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Disaster Recovery Option
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Disk to Disk to Tape Option
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Enterprise Module
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CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Enterprise Option for IBM 3494
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Enterprise Option for SAP R/3 for
Oracle
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Enterprise Option for StorageTek
ACSLS
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CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Image Option
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CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy
Service
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows NDMP NAS Option
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Serverless Backup Option
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Storage Area Network (SAN) Option
CA ARCserve® Backup for Windows Tape Library Option
CA Dynam®/B Backup for z/VM
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CA VM:Tape for z/VM
CA XOsoft™ Assured Recovery™
CA XOsoft™
CA 1® Tape Management
Common Services™
eTrust® Firewall
Unicenter® Network and Systems Management
Unicenter® Software Delivery
Unicenter® VM:Operator®
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8 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Chapter 1: Introducing the Agent for IBM
Informix
CA ARCserve Backup is a comprehensive, distributed storage solution for
applications, databases, distributed servers, and file systems. It provides
backup and restore capabilities for databases, business-critical applications,
and network clients.
The CA ARCserve Backup Agent for IBM Informix provides backup and restore
capabilities for the IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS). The types of data that
can be backed up include both critical and non-critical dbspaces (primarily
chunks, or specific regions of disk space); blobspaces (binary large object
spaces); and logical logs (transaction records).
This section contains the following topics:
How the Agent for IBM Informix Works
The Agent for IBM Informix works with ON-Bar, which is the backup and
recovery utility for IDS. The primary job of the agent is to issue requests for
the Informix ON-Bar utility on behalf of the Informix Manager. Options set
through the Backup Manager interface are translated into the ON-Bar
command line options, to provide an integrated environment. You can also
work from the ON-Bar command line to submit jobs directly to the Backup
Manager.
The agent connects CA ARCserve Backup and IDS by communicating between
the two applications, enabling data to be passed back and forth. The agent
resides on the same system as IDS.
To backup a database, the CA ARCserve Backup Manager converts user entries
into one or more requests, and sends the requests to the agent on the IDS
system. The agent communicates this request to ON-Bar, which executes
backup and restore requests for IDS. The agent retrieves the specified data
objects from IDS and sends them to the Backup Manager, which copies the
data to your storage media.
You can manage the backup and restore operations better with the following
options.
Chapter 1: Introducing the Agent for IBM Informix 9
How the Agent for IBM Informix Works
Remote Procedure Call Service
With Remote Procedure Call (RPC) enabled, the agent operates as a Windows
service and can be configured to start automatically through standard
Windows setup or through the Services feature of the Control Panel. This
configuration lets you run the agent without logging in.
Agent Parameters
You can customize the agent by modifying settings in the Windows registry,
using the Windows REGEDT32 utility. Agent settings are listed in the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE window under the following key:
SOFTWARE\ComputerAssociates\CA ARCserve Backup\DSAgent\Current
Version\agent\dbaifmx@ServerName
In this example, ServerName identifies the IDS instance name.
The following optional settings are provided for the agent under the dbaifmx
key:
CriticalFileBackupDelay
Specifies the current delay, in minutes, to back up critical IDS files located
in the Informix\etc directory.
dll
Specifies the location of the agent files.
debug
Enables debug trace files for the agent. The default value is 0 (FALSE).
You should enable this setting (change the default) only when requested to
do so by CA Customer Support.
Note: The agent includes Activity Logs that provide information about
backup or restore jobs and their status. These logs are located in the
agent home directory, and are named dbaifmx.log, dbabatch.log, and
xbsa.log. The home directory may also contain files called trace logs,
which are created and updated only when debug is enabled. These logs
are called dbaifmx.trc, dbabatch.trc, and xbsa.trc. If required during a
debug session, you may be asked to check these Job Logs to help
determine the cause of the problem.
10 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
How the Agent for IBM Informix Works
Full Offline Backups
You should keep at least one recent offline backup of your IDS databases.
When performing a full offline backup, you must select the appropriate
directories (in particular, the Informix home directory and Informix data files)
from the Backup Manager window.
Access Control Lists
Access Control Lists (ACLs) let you to specify the CA ARCserve Backup servers
permitted to back up the IDS database.
In a Windows environment, you can create and edit Informix ACLs from the
CA\Agent Admin navigation tab.
For more information about ACLs, see the Client Agents Guide or Online Help.
Chapter 1: Introducing the Agent for IBM Informix 11
Chapter 2: Installing the Agent for IBM
Informix
This chapter describes how you can install and configure the Agent for IBM
Informix. The chapter also explains the post-installation tasks you must
perform before performing the first backup and restore operation.
This section contains the following topics:
Installation Prerequisites
Before installing the CA ARCserve Backup Agent for IBM Informix, verify the
following:
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Your system meets the software requirements needed to install the Agent
for IBM Informix. For a list of requirements, see the readme file.
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You have installed CA ARCserve Backup and it works properly.
Note: You can install the Agent for IBM Informix on the same computer as
CA ARCserve Backup (the local computer) or on a separate computer (a
remote computer).
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You have installed IBM Informix-Connect and it works properly.
You have installed Informix Storage Manager (ISM).
Note: ISM is an optional component in IBM Informix.
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You have administrator privileges or any other equal privileges to install
software on the computers where you will be installing the product.
Note: Contact your administrator to obtain the proper rights if you do not
have them.
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You know the installation path. (You may use the default installation path.)
You have completed the modifications to the Windows environment as
Chapter 2: Installing the Agent for IBM Informix 13
Preinstallation Tasks
Preinstallation Tasks
Before installing the agent on computers running IDS, modify the Windows
environment as described in the following sections.
Modify the Windows Environment for ISM Systems on IDS Versions
You must modify the Windows environment for computers running Informix
Storage Manager (ISM) with IDS Versions 9.40, 10.0, and 11.10.
To modify the Windows environment
1. Select System in the Control Panel.
The System Properties dialog opens.
2. Select the Advanced tab, and click Environment Variables.
3. Modify the Path variable to include the location of the ISM directory path,
as shown in the following sample:
C:\ism\ver#\bin
4. Click OK.
5. Click OK to close the Environment Variables dialog.
Note: The remaining steps are performed when you install the agent. If
this procedure is skipped, perform the following steps.
6. Locate the sm_versions.std file
Note: The sm_versions.std file is a template for setting up the
sm_versions file with information about the Storage Manager.
For more information about the sm_versions file, see the Informix user
documentation.
7. Rename the existing sm_versions file to exclude the extension .std, as
defined in your IDS release notes and as shown in the following example:
Informixdir\etc\sm_versions.std
to:
Informixdir\etc\sm_versions
8. Open the sm_versions file using Notepad to make sure it contains the
following string:
1|1.0.1|ism|1|
If the string is not present, add it at the end of the file and save the file.
9. Close the file.
14 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Install the Agent for IBM Informix
Install the Agent for IBM Informix
The Agent for IBM Informix follows the standard installation procedure for CA
ARCserve Backup system components, agents, and options.
For detailed procedures about how to install CA ARCserve Backup, see the
Implementation Guide.
Note: After you complete the installation procedure, restart your computer
when prompted.
Post-Installation Tasks
After you install the agent, you must complete some tasks before you can
begin operating CA ARCserve Backup with the agent. These procedures are
described in the following sections.
Chapter 2: Installing the Agent for IBM Informix 15
Post-Installation Tasks
Set the IDS ONCONFIG File
The installation program updates the ONCONFIG file in the IBM Informixdir\etc
directory so that the agent can operate properly.
Note: If you do not update the ONCONFIG file during installation, you must
use a text editor to manually enter the changes in the ONCONFIG file before
you install and deploy the agent in your network.
Skip this procedure if you modified the ONCONFIG file during installation.
To manually modify the ONCONFIG file
1. Open the ONCONFIG file using Notepad or any text editor.
2. For IDS Versions 9.40, 10.0, and 11.10, insert the following lines in the
ONCONFIG file:
BAR_MAX_BACKUP 1 # Informix Backup Agent
BAR_BSALIB_PATH AGENT_HOME\libbsa.dll #Informix Backup Agent XBSA DLL
where AGENT_HOME is the home directory path of the agent.
Important! For IDS Versions 9.40, 10.0 and 11.10, if your agent home
directory path contains space characters (for example, C:\Program
Files\Informix), you must enter the MS-DOS shortened name when you
specify the path (for example, C:\progra~1\ Informix). To determine the
shortened form of a path name, view the path in an MS DOS command
prompt window.
3. For IDS Versions 9.40, 10.0 and 11.10, replace the following line:
LTAPEDEV NULL #Log tape device_path
with this line:
LTAPEDEV \\.\TAPE1 #Log tape device_path
4. Save the file.
5. Stop and restart all IDS instances to apply the changes to the ONCONFIG
file.
Note: An IDS instance means the concurrent operation of shared memory,
processors, databases, and physical devices allocated to IDS, all of which
can be monitored by the ONSTAT -p (profile) command.
16 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Post-Installation Tasks
Communication with ON-Bar
CA ARCserve Backup lets you configure batch jobs. Using CA ARCserve
Backup, you can configure one IDS instance at a time. You can use the
Informix Agent Batch Job Configuration dialog to submit backup and restore
jobs using the ON-Bar command line on the IDS. However, if the agent server
is hosting multiple instances of IDS, you must reconfigure the batch job
configuration for each backup or restore job submitted through the ON-Bar
command line.
Note: If you use CA ARCserve Backup and Restore Managers tools as your
methods for initiating backup or restore jobs, the batch job configuration
process is unnecessary.
You can also use the Informix Agent Configuration dialog to submit backup
and restore jobs using the ON-Bar utility.
Configure the Agent for ON-Bar Interaction
You can configure the agent to support the backup or restore operations of
IDS instances, which are performed using the Informix ON-Bar utility.
To configure the agent
1. Log in as the Windows administrator to the server where IDS is running.
2. Click Start, Programs, CA, ARCserve Backup Agents, and Informix Agent
configuration.
The Backup Agent for Informix Configuration window opens.
Chapter 2: Installing the Agent for IBM Informix 17
Uninstall the Agent
3. Enter the requested information in the fields provided for each unique
instance of IDS operation.
4. Click Finish.
The agent is configured for ON-Bar interaction.
Prepare the Agent for Operation
After you install and configure the Agent for IBM Informix, perform the
following steps before you run backup and restore jobs for IDS.
To prepare the agent for operation
1. On the server where IDS is running, start the Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
service from the Services feature of the Control Panel.
2. Log in to Windows with a user account which has administrator privileges
for backup. Enter Informix as the user name.
3. Synchronize jobs with other administrative tasks.
4. Verify the configuration of the server where IDS is running, by submitting
a test backup job. You can use the ON-Bar command line.
For more information on using the ON-Bar command line, see the Informix
ON-Bar documentation.
Uninstall the Agent
You can uninstall the Agent for IBM Informix if you are not using it anymore.
To uninstall the agent
1. Open the Windows Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Select CA ARCserve Backup Agent for IBM Informix.
4. Click Remove.
The Add or Remove Programs dialog opens.
5. Click Yes.
The agent is uninstalled.
18 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Chapter 3: Using the Agent
You can use the Agent for IBM Informix to back up IDS objects such as
dbspaces, blobspaces, and logical logs. Command line options associated with
the ON-Bar utility are also available.
For more information about using ON-Bar, see the Informix ON-Bar
documentation.
This section contains the following topics:
Recommendations for Backing Up IDS Database
When you submit a job from the Backup Manager, CA ARCserve Backup
validates the jobs in the queue. The agent then converts the job requests to
ON-Bar commands, which appear in the Activity Log for this agent.
To ensure a complete restore operation based on your organization’s defined
backup schedule, we recommend the following:
■
Periodically stop IDS services and perform a full offline backup (regular file
backup) of the IDS configuration and data files, without the agent. This
ensures that restores will be successful if dbspaces or blobspaces are lost.
Before starting the backup job, stop all IDS services using the Services
feature of the Control Panel.
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Back up dbspaces or blobspaces immediately after you create them, and
maintain a regular backup schedule to ensure smooth recovery in case of
dbspace or media failure. CA ARCserve Backup lets you set and maintain a
regular schedule of automatic backups.
IDS reuses logical logs. To conserve disk space, IDS limits log size and
quantity. When these logs are full, you must back them up to free them
for reuse.
Chapter 3: Using the Agent 19
Back Up an IDS Database
■
Before submitting jobs using the Backup Manager, ensure that the
following CA ARCserve Backup services are running:
–
–
–
Job Engine
Tape Engine
Database Engine
Back Up an IDS Database
When you submit a backup job, ON-Bar evaluates your backup privileges and
IDS status, and submits the job to CA ARCserve Backup. You can view one (or
more) job per dbspace, blobspace, or logical log being backed up.
To back up an IDS database
1. Verify that IDS is online.
You can back up data using the Agent for IBM Informix only when IDS is
online.
Note: Be sure to submit the #LOGFILE# backup with each salvage
operation when IDS is offline.
2. Start the Backup Manager.
Important! The agent supports only single, non-concurrent backups and
restores. It does not support parallel operations.
20 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Back Up an IDS Database
3. Click the Source tab if it is not already visible. In the Source view, select
the Informix server you want to back up.
Selecting the server in Backup Manager is equivalent to the following ON-
Bar full-backup command:
onbar_d -b –w (for Informix 9.x, 10.0 or 11.10)
Note: When you select a full Informix server backup (that is, one that
includes all IDS objects on the server), the system backs up all files
located in the \etc directory under the Informix home directory. The \etc
directory must contain ONCONFIG, IXBAR, ONCFG, and other critical files.
If the \etc directory does not contain these files, modify the Informix
environment to ensure that the files are there.
Also, the Agent for IBM Informix backs up the files located in the
\TAPEINFO directory under the agent directory to ensure the backup of the
XBSATAPE.TBL file. The XBSATAPE.TBL file is critical for an IDS restore.
Chapter 3: Using the Agent 21
Back Up an IDS Database
If you select individual dbspaces or blobspaces, the Informix server is
automatically selected. The box to the left of the selection is partially
shaded even when all objects are selected.
The box is partially shaded because dbspaces and the logical logs were
individually selected. In this case, a full Informix server-level backup does
not occur.
Important! For logical log backup options to work properly, you must
select the #LOGFILE# entry.
Selecting the objects in CA ARCserve Backup is equivalent to the following
ON-Bar commands for IDS Version 9.40, 10.0, and 11.10:
onbar_d -b sbspace rootdbs
onbar_d -l
22 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Back Up an IDS Database
4. Right-click the Informix server and choose Backup Agent Options.
The Backup Agent Backup Option dialog opens.
5. Specify the options to complete a backup. The following describes how
backup levels are used:
Level 0
Use this for a Full backup
Level 1
Use this to back up changes since the Level 0 backup
Level 2
Use this to back up changes since the Level 1 backup
CA ARCserve Backup Option: Backup Level 0
ON-Bar Option: -L0
Description: Full backup
IDS Status: Online
CA ARCserve Backup Option: Backup Level 1
ON-Bar Option: -L1
Description: Incremental backup based on the last Level 0 backup
IDS Status: Online
CA ARCserve Backup Option: Backup Level 2
ON-Bar Option: -L2
Description: Incremental backup based on the last Level 1 backup
IDS Status: Online
CA ARCserve Backup Option: Backup Current Log
ON-Bar Option: -c
Description: Backs up the current active logical log and other full
logical logs that were not backed up.
Chapter 3: Using the Agent 23
Back Up an IDS Database
IDS Status: Online
CA ARCserve Backup Option: Salvage Logs
ON-Bar Option: -s
Description: Backs up all logical logs that reside on the disk
IDS Status: Offline
Note: By default, the agent performs a Level 0 backup.
Important! A full offline restore always attempts to salvage logical logs
before restoring the root dbspace. If the salvage fails, the restore
continues; however, transactions that cannot be salvaged are lost.
Therefore, it is important that you keep copies of logical log backups until
you are sure that you do not need them to complement a restore from a
backup.
6. Select the media Device Group and the media for the backup job from the
Destination view.
7. Click the media device for the backup destination.
The name appears in the Media field.
24 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Back Up an IDS Database
8. Click the Schedule tab and select the scheduling options.
You can run the backup job at this point or schedule the job to run later.
For more information about scheduling options, see the Administration
Guide.
9. Click Start on the toolbar.
Depending on your selection, the job is either executed immediately or
queued for execution.
10. Click Security.
11. Enter your security information and click OK.
When the operation is complete, the message, Backup Operation
Successful appears.
Chapter 3: Using the Agent 25
Unsupported Backup Functions
Note: The first job submitted for backup is always a test job, with no
actual data. It is used to trigger ON-Bar. If the job is successful, the
message, Backup Operation Successful appears. This message indicates
that ON-Bar was successfully activated. However, the actual backup
process is still in progress. You can track the progress of the job using the
Job Status option.
If a backup job fails because of a CA ARCserve Backup or agent environment
variable (such as a request for unavailable media), then the ON-Bar process
may stop responding. Use the Windows Task Manager to determine if ON-Bar
is responding. If the ON-Bar process is responding, then run the following
command from the agent directory:
stopxbsa.exe informix_server_instance_name
Unsupported Backup Functions
The Agent for IBM Informix does not support the following file system
functions:
■
Backing up Informix data using Disk Staging and with a GFS rotation
schedule
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Verifying media
Comparing tape to disk
Using InoculateIT (eTrust®) options
Using grandfather-father-son rotation (GFS) clear archive bit, for
Incremental and Differential Backup
■
Executing run now to rerun an Informix child backup job from the Job
Status Manager
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Encrypting passwords
Encrypting data on the agent system
Encrypting data on the backup server
Compressing data on the agent system
26 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Recommendations for Restoring an IDS Database
Recommendations for Restoring an IDS Database
Before restoring IDS logical logs, dbspaces, and blobspaces, you must note the
following:
■
Restores always consist of the complete backed-up set of data. You cannot
restore these objects individually unless they are damaged; to restore
damaged dbspaces and blobspaces, you must perform a disaster recovery
restore.
■
When performing disaster recovery, you may need to restore critical IDS
files located in the \etc directory, under the Informix home directory.
Important! Be cautious with this procedure; restoring critical files
overwrites the current files. To determine when you should restore the
critical boot files, see the IBM Informix documentation.
■
If you are executing a full restore, shut down all IDS services before
starting the restore operation.
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The Restore by Tree view is the supported format.
If you are restoring an Informix instance with the Last Logical Log option
selected, ensure that you assign a correct value to the restore job and
save it in the emergency boot file.
■
A restore job will fail if you attempt to restore multiple Informix instances
on the same media because CA ARCserve Backup cannot restore the
instances sequentially. To restore multiple Informix instances, restore
them individually by submitting a new job for each instance, after the
previous instance has been successfully restored.
Chapter 3: Using the Agent 27
Restore an IDS Database
Restore an IDS Database
You can restore an IDS database including logical logs, dbspaces and
blobspaces.
To restore an IDS database
1. From the Restore Manager, select the items to be restored. This can be
either the entire Informix server or individual dbspaces or blobspaces.
Note: Only one dbspace can be restored at a time.
Note: Do not restore the #LOGFILE#. The Informix server restores the
logical logs automatically when a logical restore is performed.
28 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Restore an IDS Database
2. On the Source tab, right-click the Informix server.
The Restore Options dialog opens.
CA ARCserve Backup Option
ON-Bar
Option
Description
Restore Methods Physical and
Logical
-r
Restores all dbspaces,
blobspaces, and logical
logs.
Physical Only
Logical Only
-p
Restores all dbspaces
and blobspaces.
-l
Restores logs only.
Restore Options
Last Logical
-n log
The number of the last
log to be restored. If any
logs exist after this one,
they are not restored.
Point in Time
-t time
The point in time at
which to stop the restore.
Important! The Point in Time option is for Informix server-level restores
and cannot be combined with any individual dbspace or blobspace restore
job. Do not select the Logical Only restore method and the Point in Time
restore option at the same time. If the Logical Only method is combined
with any dbspaces or blobspaces, IDS ignores the objects and executes an
Informix server-level logical restore.
Note: For information about the different options and requirements
available for performing cold restores, warm restores, physical restores,
and logical restores, see the Informix ON-Bar documentation.
3. Click the Destination tab.
4. Select the option, Restore Files to their Original Locations. (The destination
must be the original location.)
The Security dialog opens.
5. Enter the Informix server user account details which has restore privileges,
and click OK.
6. Select the preferred restore method and options. Click OK.
The Session User Name and Password dialog opens.
CA ARCserve Backup restore options are equivalent to the following ON-
Bar options:
onbar_d -r -t 2003-9-5 13:31:17
Chapter 3: Using the Agent 29
Restore an IDS Database
7. Verify the user name and password for the computer to which the files are
being restored. If the restore session needs to access media or any
another computer that requires a user name and password different than
those used for IDS or CA ARCserve Backup, then enter that user name and
password here.
8. Click OK.
The Submit Job dialog displays the job details.
9. Click OK.
The job is submitted to the CA ARCserve Backup queue. You can verify the
restore process from the CA ARCserve Backup Job Status window.
30 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Media Rotation Precautions
When the job is complete, a message appears indicating that the restore
was successful. The first restore message results from the creation of the
ON-Bar process. Depending on the progress of the restore procedure,
other messages from actual (not test) restore jobs will follow.
Note: Do not interrupt the restore procedure by browsing IDS objects
from the Backup Manager, or do not attempt to stop the restore operation.
Wait until the BAR_INFORMIX SERVER.log shows that the restore is
complete.
Media Rotation Precautions
Both CA ARCserve Backup and IDS maintain backup histories of the media
used, and other session information associated with dbspaces and blobspaces.
However, during a restore operation, ON-Bar uses the IDS backup history, and
not the backup history maintained by CA ARCserve Backup.
IDS selects the backup session to restore. Depending on its backup history,
ON-Bar may prompt for CA ARCserve Backup media that is no longer in your
media rotation scheme. In this case you may experience a failed restore job.
We recommend that you keep all the IDS log backup sessions after a full
Informix server backup until you complete another Full Backup.
Note: It is extremely important that you plan a practical backup media
rotation scheme, based on a realistic IDS restore scenario. See the
Administration Guide for information regarding media rotation. In general, you
can rotate current media after backing up Informix server-related physical files
when IDS is offline.
Unsupported Restore Functions
The Agent for IBM Informix does not support the following file system-related
functions:
■
Restoring data that was backed up using Disk Staging and with a GFS
rotation schedule.
■
Specifying the following global restore options:
–
–
Create empty path for the root
Pre-execution or post-execution
Chapter 3: Using the Agent 31
Perform Disaster Recovery
■
■
■
Using session or tape view for dbspace or blobspace restores
Specifying Filter options
Specifying the following Restore Destination options:
–
–
–
Directory structure
File conflict resolution
Restore to different locations
For more information about restore functions, see the Administration Guide.
Perform Disaster Recovery
To recover IDS after a disaster such as a hard disk failure, you must have
backup copies of the following:
■
■
The most recent cold (full offline) backup of all Informix files.
One or more copies of a full Informix server hot backup (an online backup)
made since the cold backup.
■
The latest copy of the Informix critical boot files and XBSATAPE.TBL file in
the agent directory.
To recover IDS
1. Reinstall IDS, if necessary.
Note: If you reinstall IDS, be sure to use the same account name,
password, and directory structure used in the IDS installation before the
disaster happened.
2. Stop all Informix services:
a. Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel.
The Control Panel dialog opens.
b. Click Administrative Tools and Services.
c. On the Services dialog, locate the Informix services.
d. Right-click a service and select Stop from the pop-up menu.
3. Restore the cold (offline) backup Informix system and data files from CA
ARCserve Backup.
4. Reinstall the Agent for IBM Informix.
Note: You should use the same account name, password and directory
structure used in the IDS installation before the disaster happened.
5. Restore the latest \tapeinfo directory located in the agent home directory,
if necessary.
32 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Verify IDS Status
6. Compare the xbsatape.tbl file in the agent home directory under \tapeinfo.
If the agent home directory has an old version of the file, copy the
xbsatape.tbl from the \tapeinfo directory to the agent home directory (one
level up), as shown in the following illustration:
7. Compare and carefully restore the critical files under \etc in the Informix
home directory from CA ARCserve Backup.
8. Select and restore the full Informix server from CA ARCserve Backup.
Note: ON-Bar takes time to determine the objects to restore. This process
should not be interrupted. However, you can check BAR_INFORMIX
SERVER NAME.LOG to see the ON-Bar restore activity.
ON-Bar handles the restore jobs from this point.
Verify IDS Status
You can verify the status of IDS by using the onstat.exe utility.
To verify the status of IDS
Run onstat.exe with any of the following commands:
-?
Displays the definition of command options.
-l
Displays the current logical log status.
-d
Displays current dbspace or blobspace information.
Chapter 3: Using the Agent 33
Appendix A: Troubleshooting
The Agent for IBM Informix provides logs for examining backup activities and
lets you to modify settings if you encounter any problems.
This section contains the following topics:
Help on Incomplete Job Information
If the CA ARCserve Backup Job Status window displays an incomplete backup
or restore job, you can get helpful information in any of the following ways:
■
Activity Logs
Monitor the activity logs XBSA.LOG, DBAIFMX.LOG, and DBABATCH.LOG
for CA ARCserve Backup Agent for IBM Informix activity (located in the
agent home directory)
BAR_informix server name.LOG for ON-Bar activity (located in the
Informix home directory)
■
Debug mode
Enable debug mode (only when instructed to do so by a CA Technical
Support representative) to trace all agent activity found in these files:
XBSA.TRC
DBABATCH.TRC
DBAIFMX.TRC
■
Backup location
Verify the backup location.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 35
Enable Debug Mode
Enable Debug Mode
To receive debug information, you must enable the debug mode. You can set
the debug mode in the Windows registry using the Regedt32 editor. By
default, the debug mode is disabled.
To enable debug mode
1. Run WINNT\SYSTEM32\REGEDT32.exe.
2. In the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE window, open:
SOFTWARE\ComputerAssociates\CA ARCserve
BACKUP\DSAGENT\CURRENTVERSION\AGENT\dbaifmx@ Informix Server
3. Double-click Debug.
The DWORD editor opens.
4. Change the debug mode value as follows:
From: REG_DWORD:0 (disable debug, the default mode)
To: REG_DWORD:1 (enable debug)
Important! Be sure to set the key entry back to 0 (disabled) when you have
finished troubleshooting to prevent the needless consumption of disk space
and CPU time.
Verify the Backup File Location
The DLL that defines the location of the agent files is located in the same key
as the debug setting. This location is defined during installation.
Important! Do not change this path manually. Change it only through the
agent setup program.
To examine the location
1. Run WINNT\SYSTEM32\REGEDT32.exe.
2. In the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE window, open:
SOFTWARE\ComputerAssociates\CA ARCserve
BACKUP\DSAgent\CurrentVersion\Agent\dbaifmx@ Informix Server
You will see a statement similar to the following:
dll:REG_SZ:C:\Program Files\CA\CA ARCserve Backup Agent for
Informix\dbaifmx.dll
36 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Problems and Solutions
Problems and Solutions
This section describes a few common problems that you might encounter.
A backup job was reported as successful but nothing happens
A backup job was reported as successful but nothing happens.
Reason:
The Informix server has problems and cannot handle the job.
Action:
Check the BAR_INFORMIX SERVER.LOG in the Informix home directory to see
if ON-Bar has returned any error.
Cannot find the Backup Agent home subdirectory \TAPEINFO from the CA
ARCserve Backup Restore Manager Tree View
Cannot find the Backup Agent home subdirectory \TAPEINFO from the
CA ARCserve Backup Restore Manager Tree View.
Reason:
Your last backup job did not back up the agent home subdirectory \TAPEINFO.
Tree View only shows the latest backup objects.
Action:
To restore Informix-related physical files (such as critical boot files, and
XBSATAPE.TBL) use the CA ARCserve Backup Restore Manager Session View.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 37
Problems and Solutions
A restore job from CA ARCserve Backup failed but BAR_<INFORMIX SERVER>.LOG
on the Informix Server indicated it as successful
A restore job from CA ARCserve Backup failed but BAR_<INFORMIX
SERVER>.LOG on the Informix Server indicated it as successful.
Reason:
In rare cases, ON-Bar does not need the entire backup image to accomplish its
restore, and terminates the restore process in the middle of its operation.
From the agent's perspective, the restore finished before reaching the end of
the data.
Action:
Ignore the CA ARCserve Backup failure message. The Informix restore was
completed successfully.
A rescheduled backup or restore job stops responding
A rescheduled backup or restore job stops responding.
Reason:
The rescheduled backup or restore job may be from ON-Bar. ON-Bar backup
or restore jobs cannot be modified.
Action:
You can verify if an ON-Bar job was submitted by dbabatch. In the Description
field of each job in the CA ARCserve Backup Job Status window, check whether
the job was submitted by dbabatch.
Submit a new job instead of rescheduling.
38 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Problems and Solutions
A job from the Informix Backup or Restore Utility is in the job queue, but nothing
is happening
A job from the Informix Backup or Restore Utility is in the job queue,
but nothing is happening.
Reason:
CA ARCserve Backup engine services are not running.
Action:
Using the Server Admin feature, start the CA ARCserve Backup engine
services--Database, Tape, and Job Engines. If you start the engines from any
other location, be sure to start the Database Engine first.
If the Database Engine service is not started first, media information may not
merge properly.
During an Informix restore, CA ARCserve Backup prompts for media that no
longer exists
During an Informix restore, CA ARCserve Backup prompts for media
that no longer exists.
Reason:
The backup history is maintained in Informix in its critical file. During restore,
you may be prompted for specific media that may not exist.
Action:
Find a proper restore scenario based upon your available backup media.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 39
Error Messages
A backup and restore job is submitted from the ON-Bar utility of Informix, but
nothing happens
A backup and restore job is submitted from the ON-Bar utility of
Informix, but nothing happens.
Reason:
The system's environment may not be set properly, or your agent
configuration is not set properly.
Action:
Use the Informix Agent Batch Job Configuration utility to set the current CA
ARCserve Backup configuration-like media name and user information. Verify
that your local CA ARCserve Backup server is running (examine the Admin
Job, Database, and Tape Engine).
A backup job is submitted, but the job has stopped running
A backup job is submitted, but the job has stopped running.
Reason:
The previous backup job that was running on the Informix server has not been
cleared.
Action:
Execute STOPXBSA.EXE INFORMIX Server from the agent home directory.
If the problem continues, check the value of the LastObject field in the
Registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\COMPUTERASSOCIATES\CA ARCSERVE
BACKUP\DSAGENT\CURRENTVERSION\AGENT\DBAIFMX@INFORMIX SERVER
Clear the remaining strings.
Error Messages
This section contains a list of error messages generated by the agent, and
gives a brief description of each error with a possible solution.
40 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Error Messages
A backup job returned the error (123)
Cannot start onbar utility
Reason:
The agent could not start ONBAR_D.EXE.
Action:
Check your system environment to see if INFORMIXDIR is defined. Also, verify
that the path is valid.
A backup job returned the error (128)
Invalid object name to handle
Reason:
The agent cannot process the Informix object.
Action:
Verify that you are using CA ARCserve Backup, and if necessary, generate a
A backup job returned the error (129)
Cannot get session ID and tape ID from the client
Reason:
The agent cannot process the Informix object.
Action:
Verify that you are using CA ARCserve Backup, and if necessary, generate a
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 41
Error Messages
A backup or restore job returned the error (130)
Cannot write to XBSA named pipe
Reason:
The agent cannot communicate with the XBSA ON-Bar component.
Action:
Check the BAR_INFORMIX SERVER.LOG to see if ON-Bar has generated an
error message.
If necessary, check the XBSA.LOG. Reschedule the job. For assistance, contact
A backup job returned the error (131)
Cannot handle the tape ID information
Reason:
The agent cannot process the job.
Action:
Verify that you are using CA ARCserve Backup, and if necessary, generate a
A backup job returned the error (132)
Cannot logon as the user requested
Reason:
The agent cannot log on using the information provided by the user.
Action:
Check the current CA ARCserve Backup user, Windows user, and agent user
privileges. You can modify user information on your job submission.
42 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Error Messages
A backup job returned the error (133)
Cannot impersonate to the user
Reason:
The agent cannot impersonate the Informix user.
Action:
Check the current Windows and CA ARCserve Backup user privileges to
determine if you can impersonate to the Informix user. If not, you do not have
the necessary privileges to submit a backup job. Otherwise, provide all the
security information on your job submission and reschedule the job.
A backup job returned the error (134)
Cannot find proper Informix environment. Please check Informix
Server
Reason:
The agent failed to retrieve the Informix environment. The agent requires the
same environment as the Informix superuser.
Action:
Open the command prompt and check the current user's environment using
the DOS set command. If information about INFORMIXDIR, PATH, USERNAME,
or INFORMIXSERVER is absent or incorrect, update the information using the
Informix utility setnet32 and the Windows System utility (in Control Panel).
A backup job returned the error (135)
Informix user name is invalid
Reason:
The agent cannot connect to the Informix server using the user name and
password provided by CA ARCserve Backup.
Action:
Verify that you provided the proper Informix user name and password when
submitting the job. Typically, Informix backup or restore jobs require a user
named informix.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 43
Error Messages
A backup job returned the error (136)
Error: no backup/restore option is set
Reason:
Backup and restore options, needed by the agent to execute the process, were
not sent from CA ARCserve Backup.
Action:
In CA ARCserve Backup, right-click the Informix server. Provide detailed
backup or restore options before submitting your job.
A backup job returned the error (137)
Cannot get dbspace names from Informix Server
Reason:
The agent is unable to receive all the dbspace names from the Informix server.
Action:
Verify if your Informix server is online.
Open the command prompt and check the current user's environment using
the DOS set command. (See the solution for error message 134.)
A backup job returned the error (138)
Cannot get file names from Informix Server
Reason:
The agent is unable to receive dbspace file names from the Informix server.
Action:
See the solution for error message 137.
A backup job returned the error (139)
Cannot get dbspace size information from Informix Server
Reason:
The agent is unable to receive dbspace size from the Informix server.
Action:
See the solution for error message 137.
44 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Error Messages
A backup job returned the error (140)
Cannot get log information from Informix Server
Reason:
The agent is unable to receive logical log information from the Informix server.
Action:
See the solution for error message 137.
A backup job returned the error (141)
Cannot get current domain name
Reason:
The agent cannot get the local domain name.
Action:
Verify that your machine has its own domain. If the problem continues,
generate a trace log. For assistance, contact Technical Support at
A restore job returned the error (142)
Informix is online. Cannot submit full/rootdbs restore job
Reason:
The Informix server level restore and rootdbs restore requires the Informix
server to be offline.
Action:
Shut down your Informix server and resubmit the job.
A restore job returned the error (143)
No restore option is set. Please set proper restore option on Restore
Manager. And make sure to use Tree View from the Restore Manager
when you submit a job
Reason:
The agent expects to receive restore options but no options are set.
Action:
Resubmit the restore job after setting the DBAgent option in the CA ARCserve
Backup Restore Manager.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 45
Error Messages
A backup or restore job returned the error (144)
Invalid Job Type
Reason:
The agent cannot interpret the job type.
Action:
Verify that you are using CA ARCserve Backup, and if necessary, generate a
A restore job returned the error (145)
Cannot restore any specific Informix log. Logs will be automatically
restored when you do logical restore on Informix Server level
Reason:
The agent does not let the user submit the #LOGFILE# object with the ON-Bar
restore command.
Action:
Informix logs are restored, if necessary, during the Informix logical restore. To
specify an additional logical restore, choose the Informix server and select the
Logical Restore Only option for your restore job.
A restore job returned the error (146)
Cannot log on to Windows as User Informix
Reason:
The agent failed to log on to the Windows system with the user name
provided.
Action:
Verify that you have entered your Windows Informix user name and password
correctly.
46 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Error Messages
A restore job returned the error (147)
Restore option from CA ARCserve Backup is invalid
Reason:
The agent cannot process the restore option you selected in CA ARCserve
Backup.
Action:
Check your restore option before submitting jobs.
A backup job returned the error (148)
Cannot submit log backup job with salvage log option. Informix Server
should be in offline mode
Reason:
The agent detected that Informix is online. Log salvage must be done when
the Informix server is offline.
Action:
Shut down your Informix server and resubmit the job.
A backup or restore job returned the error (149)
Informix Server returned error. Connection failed
Reason:
The agent failed to connect with the Informix server.
Action:
Check the client connection environment of your Informix server. If the error
persists, generate a trace log. For assistance, contact Technical Support at
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 47
Error Messages
A restore job returned the error (150)
Cannot create thread
Reason:
The agent failed to create a thread.
Action:
Generate a trace log. For assistance, contact Technical Support at
A restore job returned the error (151)
Cannot connect to Informix Server
Reason:
The agent failed to connect with the Informix server.
Action:
Check the client connection environment of your Informix server. If the error
persists, generate a trace log. For assistance, contact Technical Support at
A restore job returned the error (152)
Informix Server error. Check Informix log for detail information
Reason:
The agent received an Informix error during its operation.
Action:
Check the BAR_INFORMIX SERVER.LOG to fix the problem.
A restore job returned the error (154)
Cannot get logical log space information
Reason:
The agent was unable to receive the logical log size information.
Action:
Check the BAR_INFORMIX SERVER.LOG to fix the problem.
48 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Error Messages
A backup job returned the error (160)
Cannot submit backup job. Informix Server should be in Online mode
Reason:
The agent was unable to connect with the Informix server for the backup job.
Action:
Load the Informix server or back up your Informix files as regular files.
A restore job returned the error (164)
Previous onbar job was not successful or another job is going on.
Please check BAR_<INFORMIX SERVER>.log. If the ON-Bar job was
not successful before, you should run STOPXBSA.EXE <INFORMIX
SERVER> or kill the ON-Bar job before submitting another ON-Bar job.
If there is another ON-Bar job, you should wait until it is finished
Reason:
The message is self-explanatory.
Action:
Follow the instructions in the message.
A restore job returned the error (165)
Restore job has failed due to expiration of named pipe wait time.
Please make sure your restore job has not been submitted from
dbabatch (onbar)
Reason:
The agent handles two kinds of restore jobs; one from CA ARCserve Backup
(user) and another from dbabatch (ON-Bar). Users cannot reschedule
dbabatch jobs, even though they appear in the CA ARCserve Backup Job
Queue.
Action:
Use the CA ARCserve Backup Restore Manager to submit a new restore job.
Check if any previous ON-Bar jobs have stopped responding.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 49
Error Messages
A backup job returned the error (166)
Backup job has failed due to expiration of named pipe wait time.
Please make sure your original backup job had not been created by
dbabatch (onbar)
Reason:
The agent handles two kinds of backup jobs; one from CA ARCserve Backup
(user) and another from dbabatch (ON-Bar). Users cannot reschedule
dbabatch jobs, even though they appear in the CA ARCserve Backup job
queue.
Action:
Use the CA ARCserve Backup Manager to submit your backup job.
Check if any previous ON-Bar jobs have stopped responding.
A backup job returned the error (167)
Cannot submit log backup job when Informix Server is down. Use
salvage logs option in this case
Reason:
The agent detected that the Informix server is offline during the logical log
backup.
Action:
Select the Salvage Log and then submit the backup job.
A backup job returned the error (168)
Cannot handle Tape Name (*). Please choose a proper media from
Backup Manager
Reason:
The agent needs a specific media name for Informix backup. The wild card
character provided by the current job is not acceptable.
Action:
Select your backup media and submit the backup job again.
50 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
Error Messages
A restore job returned the error (169)
Cannot submit point-in-time restore with dbspace name. Point-in-time
restore works only with Physical Logical or Physical Only on Informix
Server level
Reason:
The message is self-explanatory.
Action:
Select the Physical & Logical or Physical Only restore option. You should
restore the entire Informix server, not specific dbspaces or blobspaces, using
this option.
A restore job returned the error (170)
Cannot submit Logical Point-in-time Restore Job with dbspace name.
Point-in-time Restore works only with Physical & Logical or Physical
Only on Informix Server level
Reason:
The message is self-explanatory.
Action:
Select the Physical & Logical or Physical Only option for your restore job. You
should restore the entire Informix server, not specific dbspaces or blobspaces,
using this option.
A restore job returned the error (171)
Cannot submit Logical Point-in-time Restore Job on Informix Server
level. Point-in-time Restore option works only with Physical & Logical
or Physical only on Informix Server level
Reason:
The Logical-Only and Point-in-Time restore options cannot be chosen together.
Action:
Select the Physical & Logical or Physical Only option for your restore job. You
should restore the entire Informix server, not specific dbspaces or blobspaces,
using this option.
To restore the logical log, do not select the Point-in-Time option for your
restore job.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 51
Index
environment variables, setting • 14
A
F
Access Control Lists (ACLs) • 11
agent for Sybase
file location, agent files • 36
file location • 36
functions, unsupported for backup • 26
ON-Bar utility
H
configuration • 17
settings, modifying • 10
spaces, home directory path • 16
uninstalling • 18
unsupported functions
for backups • 26
hard disk failure • 32
I
Informix services
disaster recovery • 32
recommendations, backing up • 19
recommendations, restoring • 27
Informix Storage Manager (ISM)
prerequisites • 13
B
backing up, Informix server • 20
backup
levels, defined • 20
options • 20
Windows environment, modify • 14
installation
unsupported functions • 26
Backup Manager, browsing limitations • 28
batch job configuration utility • 17
blobspace
preinstallation tasks • 14
prerequisites • 13
instance
configuring for use with ON-Bar • 17
defined • 16
multiple • 17
backing up • 20
display status • 33
restoring • 28
J
browsing limitations • 28
build version • 10
job engine • 20
C
L
configuration utility • 17
levels of backup, defined • 20
location of agent files • 36
logical log
contacting technical support • v
critical files backup delay • 10
customer support, contacting • v
backing up • 20
display status • 33
restoring • 28
D
database engine • 20
dbspace
M
backing up • 20
display status • 33
restoring • 28
media rotation precaution • 31
multiple IDS instances and ON-Bar • 17
debug setting • 10, 36
disaster recovery • 28, 32
O
ON-Bar utility
E
agent configuration for • 17
commands • 20
engines, starting before backup • 20, 37
Index 53
multiple IDS instances • 17
restore IDS • 28
ONCONFIG file, manually modifying • 16
onstat.exe utility • 33
options
unsupported functions, backup • 26
V
verifying IDS object status • 33
version setting • 10
backup • 20
W
equivalent ON-Bar commands • 28
overwriting critical files • 28
Windows environment, modifying
for ISM on IDS 9.21, 9.30, 9.40 • 14
Windows registry entries • 10
P
password, setting for restores • 28
PATH variable, modifying • 14
preinstallation tasks • 14
X
xbsatape.tbl file • 32
R
recovering IDS • 32
registry entries • 10
Remote Procedure Call • 10, 18
restores
full offline • 20
methods • 28
ON-Bar equivalent commands • 28
options • 28
performing • 28
restoring the Informix server • 28
RPC operation • 10
S
sm_versions.std file, modifying • 14
spaces in agent home directory path • 16
starting Informix services • 32
status, of IDS objects • 33
stopping Informix services • 32
support, contacting • v
T
tape engine • 20
tape rotation • 31
tapeinfo directory • 32
technical support, contacting • v
test backup, running • 18, 20
troubleshooting
backup agent file location • 36
identifying the problem • 35
symptoms and solutions • 37
U
uninstalling the agent • 18
54 Agent for IBM Informix Guide
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