Tivoli Storage Manager for OS/2 Using the Backup-Archive Client


Chapter 4. Archiving and Retrieving Files

Archiving and retrieving files is similar to backing up and restoring files. Many of the concepts are similar. This chapter discusses the following primary archive and retrieve tasks.

Commonly Used Tasks Page
"Estimating Archive Processing Time" "Estimating Archive Processing Time"
"Performing an Archive" "Performing an Archive"
"Archive Using Commands" "Archive Using Commands"
"Deleting Archived Files" "Deleting Archived Files"
"Retrieving Archived Files" "Retrieving Archived Files"
"Retrieve Using Commands" "Retrieve Using Commands"

All archive and retrieve procedures in this chapter also apply to the TSM Web Client, except for those functions listed in Using the Web Backup-Archive Client. See Starting A Web Client Session for information about starting the TSM Web client.


Archiving Files

You request archive services when you want to preserve copies of files in their present condition. You can archive a single file, a group of files, or all the files in a directory or subdirectory. After you archive a file, you can erase the original file from your workstation.

To archive files, you select the files you want to archive using a file specification, or a directory tree.

Your administrator might have set up schedules to automatically archive specific files on your workstation. See Chapter 5, Automating TSM Tasks for information about checking and running the schedules available to you.

Estimating Archive Processing Time

A function called estimate is provided on the TSM Archive and Retrieve windows. Use this function to estimate the amount of time it takes to process your files and directories. The estimated transfer is a rough calculation of the time it takes TSM to transfer your data. It is based on previous transfers of data between your workstation and the current TSM server. The actual transfer time could be longer or shorter than the estimate due to factors like network traffic and system load on your workstation or the server.

Note: The Estimated Transfer Time is based on previous backup transfer rates so you must run at least one backup operation first. The Estimated Transfer Time filed reads N/A if no files have been sent to, or from, the current TSM server.

Performing an Archive

You can use TSM to archive specific files, a group of files with similar names, or entire directories. You can locate the files you want to archive by searching or filtering. Filtering displays only the files that match the filter criteria for your archive operation. To run an archive, perform the following steps:

  1. Click on Archive from the TSM main window. The Archive window displays.
  2. Expand the directory tree. Click on the object you want to back up. To search or filter files, click the Search icon from the tool bar.
  3. In the Description field:
  4. To modify specific archive options click the Archive Options button located to the right of the Estimate button. The options you select are effective during the current TSM session only.
  5. Click on Archive. The Task List window displays the archive processing status.

Displaying Archive Processing Status

During an archive, TSM uses the Task List window to display statistics, and to notify you when your archive completes. TSM does not display the Task List window during scheduled archives.

Transfer statistics, such as bytes transferred, may not match the file statistics, such as file size, if the archive or retrieve command is retried due to a communications failure or session loss. The transfer statistics will show the bytes attempted to be transferred across all command attempts.

Archive Using Commands

Use the archive command to archive a single file, a group of files, or all files in a directory and its subdirectories. If you want to archive all the files in a directory and its subdirectories, use the subdir =yes option. For example, to archive the files in the d:\proj directory and its subdirectories, enter:

   dsmc archive d:\proj\ -subdir=yes

You can use more than one file specification with the archive command. For example, to archive the a:\h1.doc and a:\test.doc files, enter:

   dsmc archive a:\h1.doc a:\test.doc

Use the description option to assign a description to the archive; enter:

   dsmc archive a:\h1.doc -description="chapter 1, first version"

Archive: Advanced Considerations

This section covers advanced considerations for archiving files. You do not need to understand this information to use TSM for basic work.

Deleting Archived Files

You can delete archive copies if you decide you no longer need them. Unlike backup versions, you can delete individual archive copies without deleting the entire file space. To delete an archive copy:

  1. Click Utilities from the TSM window. Click Delete Archive Data. The Archive Delete window displays.
  2. Expand the directory tree. The Directory tree contains groups of files identified by a description and archived to the TSM server. Click the selection boxes to select the objects you want to delete.
  3. Click Delete. The Archive Delete Status window displays the results.

You can also delete archive copies using the delete archive command. It might be necessary to use the file space name (drive label) to delete the correct file rather than the drive letter, if you archive the file from a drive whose label has changed. For example, to delete the file a:\edit\t.exe when the a: drive does not contain the diskette from which the file was archived; enter:

   dsmc delete archive {edita}\edit\t.exe

In this example, edita is the drive label from the diskette.


Retrieving Archived Files

Retrieve a file when you want to return an archive copy from the TSM server to your workstation. To retrieve an archived file:

  1. Click on Retrieve from the TSM window. The Retrieve window displays.
  2. Expand the directory tree. Select the object you want to retrieve. To search or filter files, click the Search icon from the tool bar.
  3. To modify specific retrieve options click the Retrieve Options button located to the right of the Estimate button. The options you select are effective during the current TSM session only.
  4. Click the Retrieve button. The Retrieve Destination window displays. Enter the appropriate information.
  5. Click on Retrieve. The Task List window displays the retrieve processing status.

Retrieve Using Commands

You can use the retrieve command to retrieve files or directories. Enter the file name you want to retrieve and its destination. If you do not indicate a destination, the files are retrieved to their original location. For example, to retrieve the c:\doc\h1.doc file to its original directory; enter:

   dsmc retrieve c:\doc\h1.doc

To retrieve this file under a new name, enter:

   dsmc retrieve c:\doc\h1.doc c:\doc\h2.doc

Use the pick option to display a list of archive copies from which you can select. If you retrieve a file to a disk that has a different label than the disk from which the file was archived, use the file space name (drive label) of the archive disk instead of the drive letter. For example, if you archived a file from the a: drive on the diskette workathome, and you are retrieving it to a diskette labeledextra in the a: drive, enter:

   dsmc retrieve {workathome}\doc\h1.doc a:\doc\h1.doc

See Retrieve for more information.

Understanding How Your Archives Are Managed

TSM checks the include options in your include-exclude list to determine which management class to assign to your archived files. If you do not assign a management class to a file using the include option, TSM assigns the file to the default management class.

TSM can archive a file only if the selected management class contains an archive copy group.

For information about the various management class attributes used to manage your archive copies (see Displaying Information About Management Classes and Copy Groups). See Assigning a Management Class to Files for assigning management classes.


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