Overview

CA VM:Backup is a full-screen data backup and restore system for VM. The product helps you administer backup and restore jobs by providing the following features:

The ability to use full-screen displays to define local operating controls. Examples of these controls are the granting of user authorizations or managing of the tapes that are used in backup jobs
The ability to use full-screen displays to create jobs
Selective backups and restores of CMS files or minidisks, or entire DASD volumes
Selective backups and restores of non-CMS minidisks, or specific tracks and blocks on such minidisks
Selective backups and restores of Shared File System (SFS) user storage groups, the SFS file spaces and directories, and BFS file spaces
Selective restores of BFS directories
Backups and restores of entire file pools
The running of multiple backup, restore, AUTOCAT, merge/purge/copy (MPC), and tape reinitialization (REINIT) jobs concurrently
The restarting of jobs after an abnormal system termination
Automatically recovers from temporary or correctable tape I/O errors
The restarting of jobs automatically after permanent tape I/O errors
Automatically manages its own minidisk space
Backs up data to DASDtape and to physical cartridges
Automatically selects the tapes that are needed for backup jobs and prompts the operator to mount them. To improve backup data protection, the product also allows CA VM:Tape to select tapes for CA VM:Backup jobs.
Creating copies of backup tapes for offsite disaster recovery

This section contains the following topics:

Features

Hardware and Software Requirements

Accessing and Leaving CA VM:Backup Screens

Moving Through Screens and Menus

Using the Main Menu

Help With Screens and Menus

Features

CA VM:Backup is a full-screen data backup and restore system for VM. During a backup, CA VM:Backup writes data stored on minidisks or in file spaces to tape as a safeguard against errors or the destruction of data.

The CA VM:Backup system administrator controls what data is backed up, how the data is processed, and how frequently backup jobs are run.

To facilitate an operator's job, CA VM:Backup:

Provides screens from which you can submit backup jobs, monitor the status of jobs, hold and release jobs, cancel jobs, receive and respond to CA VM:Backup messages, and temporarily suspend or end job processing
Automatically selects the tapes needed for backup jobs and tells you which volumes to mount; for improved backup data protection, CA VM:Backup also allows CA VM:Tape to manage and select tapes for CA VM:Backup jobs
Allows you to list the tapes required to fulfill a restore request so that you can have the volumes on hand before the job starts
Automatically recovers from temporary or correctable tape I/O errors
Restarts jobs automatically after permanent tape I/O errors
Backs up data to DASDtape and to physical reels and cartridges
Creates copies of backup tapes for offsite disaster recovery
Allows users to select files, minidisks, and directories to restore from a full-screen list, without operator assistance
Optionally holds restore requests submitted by users until you are ready to mount the required tapes

As an operator, your user ID is authorized automatically to perform user functions as well as operator functions.

User authorization allows you to submit requests to CA VM:Backup to restore data backed up for your own user ID. End user activities include:

Restoring the most recently backed-up versions of your files, minidisks, and directories
Specifying selection criteria to restore earlier backup versions of your files or to restore a group of files with similar names
Reviewing the status of your restore requests, and canceling a request if you change your mind about submitting it
Viewing and responding to CA VM:Backup messages, for example, requests to detach your minidisk so that data can be restored
Setting an expertise level according to your familiarity with CA VM:Backup restore functions

For a complete description of these activities, see the User Guide.