Example 2: Redirected client restore using the altnames file

This example explains how altnames provides restore capabilities to clients that do not use their own host name when they connect to the NetBackup server.

By default, the NetBackup client name of the requesting client must match the peer name that is used in the connection to the NetBackup server. When the NetBackup client name is the host name for the client and matches the peer name (normal case), this requirement is met.

However, problems arise when clients connect to multiple ethernet or connect to the NetBackup server through a gateway.

Consider the configuration in Figure: Example restore from token ring client.

Figure: Example restore from token ring client

In this example, restore requests from client1, client2, and client3 are routed through the TCP gateway. Because the gateway uses its own peer name rather than the client host names for connection to the NetBackup server, NetBackup refuses the requests. Clients cannot restore even their own files.

To correct the situation, do the following.

Determine the peer name of the gateway:

Try a restore from the client in question. In this example, the request fails with an error message similar to the following:
```
client is not validated to use the server
```
Examine the NetBackup problems report and identify the peer name that is used on the request. Entries in the report may be similar to the following:
```
01/29/07 08:25:03 bpserver - request from invalid
server or client client1.dvlp.null.com
```
In this example, the peer name is client1.dvlp.null.com.

Determine the peer name, then create the following file on the NetBackup master server:

Install_path\NetBackup\db\altnames\peername

In this example, the file is:

Install_path\NetBackup\db\altnames\client1.dvlp.null.com

Edit the peername file so that it includes the client names.

For example, if you leave the file

Install_path\NetBackup\db\altnames\client1.dvlp.null.com

empty, client1, client2, and client3 can all access the backups that correspond to their NetBackup client name setting.

If you add the names client2 and client3 to the file, you give these two clients access to NetBackup file restores, but exclude client1.

Note that this example requires no changes on the clients.

Restore the files.