System Backup Using an HMC
This document outlines the procedures for performing a system backup using the Hardware Management Console (HMC) for www.flexcutech.com systems. This process is critical for data integrity and recovery.
Revised: March 27, 2017
1. Preparation for System Backup
Before initiating the system backup, ensure the following preparatory steps are completed:
- PC Servers: Set all PC servers to “no service” or power them off.
- Online Services (Credit Unions – CUs):
- CUs with online services (e.g., online ATMs) must contact their online vendors to notify them of the upcoming downtime during the system backup.
- Notify all CU employees about the scheduled system backup, instructing them that they will not have access to the I Series and will need to reboot all PCs after the backup is complete.
- If you have Online Banking, notify CMC that the I Series will be down due to a System Save.
2. Scheduling System Power Down (for Scheduled Saves)
For scheduled system saves, you must power down the Logical Partition (LPAR) prior to the full system save starting.
- Login to Telnet Session:
- Login to a Telnet session as QSECOFR and enter the correct password.
- Note: This can also be accessed through Telnet within JUICE via System Administration or from the menu by typing telnet.
- Initialize CMC Flex:
- On the command line, type call cmcflex/cmcinit and press Enter.
- Logon to LPAR:
- Telnet to the LPAR server’s IP address: telnet XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (replace XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX with your LPAR Server IP).
- Logon using QSECOFR and password.
- Note: Contact FLEX for the password if you do not have it.
- Verification: After logging in, ensure you are on the correct LPAR. The system name (e.g., XXXLP1) should be displayed in the top right corner.
- Schedule Power Down Job:
- On the command line, type wrkjobscde and press Enter.
- Press F6 to add a job schedule.
- You may need to press F24 for more keys, then F9 for all parameters to page down to the next screen.
- Enter the desired date and time for the power down.
- Note: System time uses a 24-hour clock (e.g., 12:00 midnight is 00:00:00).
- The power down time should be 30 minutes to an hour before the CMCSAVSYS kick-off time.
- Press Enter.
- Verify Job Schedule:
- You should now see SYSSAVEIPL in the wrkjobscde list. If not, press F5 to refresh.
- Sign Off:
- If the job is listed, type signoff and press Enter.
- Press Esc.
- Type 99 and press Enter.
- Note for Interactive System Saves: If you are running the System Save interactively (not scheduled), power down the server directly using the command: pwrdwnsys option(*immed) restart(*no) and press Enter. Then proceed to the CMCSAVSYS command section below.
3. Accessing the HMC Session
The HMC session is the console and must be used for a System Save.
- Locate HMC Icon: Double-click the “HMC” icon on the desktop of the HMC PC.
- Select Language: When prompted, type 21 for English and press Enter.
- Enter Credentials:
- Enter the user ID.
- Note: Contact CMC if you do not know this.
- Enter the password and press Enter.
- Note: Contact CMC if you do not know this.
- Enter the user ID.
- Select System: Type 1 to select XXXSYS and press Enter.
- Enter Option: On the option line for XXXSYS-Main, enter 2 and press Enter.
- Session Key:
- Enter abcd1234 for the session key.
- Re-enter abcd1234 for the verify field and press Enter.
- Sign On:
- Sign on to the session with the user QSECOFR.
- Note: Contact CMC if you do not know this.
- Re-sign on if another sign-on screen appears.
- Sign on to the session with the user QSECOFR.
4. Running the CMCSAVSYS Command
Once logged into the HMC session, you will run the CMCSAVSYS command.
- Execute Command: On a command line in Client Access, type CMCSAVSYS and press F4.
- Note: When you first press F4, only the first four prompts will display. You will need to press Enter again to see all parameters.
- Configure Backup Options: Key in the following fields based on your requirements:
- Initialize Tape:
- Automatically initialize the current tape in the drive as SAVSYS?
- Backup SYSTEM (Dedicated):
- This option performs a dedicated save, during which all online services will be down.
- Includes: Operating System, Libraries, User Profiles, and License Internal Codes.
- Backup DOCMAN (Not Dedicated):
- This option backs up DOCMAN. Online services remain functional during this portion of the save.
- IPL System:
- No longer required for system backups if a monthly IPL is performed.
- Device ID:
- TAP01 (unless utilizing multiple tape drives).
- Encrypt Member Data:
- Requirement: Purchase of a module license is required. Contact your Marketing Representative if interested.
- Impact: Encryption will add approximately 25% to 50% to the save time, depending on your server’s age and available resources.
- Encryption Password:
- Enter a password.
- Responsibility: The Credit Union is responsible for maintaining this password.
- Critical Note: It MUST be kept separate from the tape. Without this password, the tape is useless for restoration.
- Verify Password:
- Re-enter the encryption password.
- Shutdown Online Services:
- Should online services be ended prior to running a system save?
- Note: Online services will be restarted after the save completes.
- Send Email alerts:
- If configured, possible email messages include:
- System save submitted with date and time
- Tape device not ready
- Save tape initialized
- Shutdown of online services (start and complete)
- System save started
- Dedicated portion complete
- DOCMAN complete
- System save complete
- Note: During the dedicated save, the system is in a restricted mode, and courtesy email alerts cannot be sent.
- If configured, possible email messages include:
- Max number of same alert:
- If email notifications are configured, what is the maximum number of the same alerts sent (00-99)?
- Default: 2 alerts.
- Minutes between same alert:
- If email notifications are configured, what are the minutes between same alerts sent (00-99)?
- Default: 30 minutes between alerts.
- Start Date (MMDDYY):
- Used for scheduled saves.
- If left blank, the system save will start immediately.
- Start Time (HHMM 24hour):
- Used for scheduled saves.
- If left blank in conjunction with the start date, the system save will start immediately.
- Max End Date (MMDDYY):
- Only used if the job is running in batch mode or submitted.
- Specifies the maximum date allowed before the dedicated save portion is terminated.
- Max End Time (HHMM 24hour):
- Only used if the job is running in batch mode or submitted.
- Used in conjunction with the Max Date.
- Specifies the maximum time allowed before the dedicated save portion is terminated.
- Initialize Tape:
5. Post-Backup Information
For any additional questions or concerns regarding system backups, please contact the FLEX Hardware team.