Restoring from a specific backup image copy

NetBackup typically restores from the primary or original backup image. If multiple copies of the same backup image exist, you can restore files from any copy of that image.

Restoring from a backup copy rather than the primary image is useful in a disaster recovery (DR) situation and to test disaster recovery procedures. You can restore at a DR site or test DR restore procedures while still restoring from the primary image at your primary site.

If you make multiple copies of a backup image, use one of the following command-line methods to restore from a specific backupimage copy:

bprestore

Add the -copy x option and argument to specify the copy number.

ALT_RESTORE_COPY_NUMBER

Create this file to specify the copy number. (By default, this file does not exist.)

On Windows systems, the file must reside in the following directory:

install_path\VERITAS\NetBackup

On UNIX systems, the file must reside in the following directory:

/usr/openv/netbackup

After you add the copy number to the file, all subsequent restore operations restore from that backup copy. The restore can be done from the Backup, Archive, and Restore interface or from the bprestore command.

Note:

The bprestore -copy x option and argument override the value in the ALT_RESTORE_COPY_NUMBER file.

For more information about the bprestore command, see the NetBackup Commands for UNIX and Linux or the NetBackup Commands for Windows manuals.

When you restore from a backup copy rather than the primary backup, the media server that wrote that copy performs the restore. However, you can select a different or alternate server for the restore.

Use one of the following methods to specify an alternate server for the restore:

Override the original server

Configure NetBackup to override the original server. (The original server is the one that wrote the backup image.)

On the master server, in the General Server properties, the Media Host Override option specifies the override media server where files are restored.

Automatic failover to an alternate server

Configure automatic failover to an alternate server. (The failover server performs the restore if the original server fails.)

On the master server, the Restore Failover properties control how NetBackup performs automatic failover to a NetBackup media server.

For more information about alternate server configuration, see the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for UNIX and Linux or the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for Windows.