PRIMECLUSTER Global File Services Configuration and Administration Guide 4.2 (Solaris(TM) Operating Environment)

12.6 High-speed backup and restoration of a file system

The GFS Shared File System, cooperating with PRIMECLUSTER Global Disk Services Snapshot provides a snapshot function that allows users to create a replica (snapshot) of the partitions that make up the file system and create a snapshot image of the file system by performing incorporation (shift to an equivalent state) and separation operations.

Furthermore, you can use the hard copy function of our ETERNUS6000 or ETERNUS3000 disk array or EMC's Symmetrix storage device to backup or restore the GFS Shared File System at high-speed without imposing a load on the host. The following is the main features.

Even if the GFS Shared File System to be backed up is mounted, you can separate the file system and create a backup easily by executing one command. These operations are instantly logically complete. File system update operation of the backup source is locked only for a very short time. After that, both the backup source and backup destination file systems can be used even while the actual copy operation is being carried out. Therefore the duration that operations are stopped can be kept to a minimum.

The restored file system can be immediately used after the logical completion of restoration.

For detail, see Section 24.7, " High speed backup and restoration of a GFS Shared File System" in this manual.