3.6 Managing Log and Error Files

SBCON keeps a list of all the log and error files, which show specific information about the backup and restore session. See Section 1.7, Session Files for more information.

You can manage these files as follows:

3.6.1 Creating Log and Error Files

If you do not know what is on the media, or you have lost or deleted the log and error files, you can re-create them.

Ensure that you have met the prerequisites detailed in Section 3.1, Prerequisites for Performing SBCON Tasks.

To create a log or error file, see Section 3.7, Creating Session Files.

3.6.2 Viewing a Log File

This task lets allows you to view your log file for backup and restore information. The log file is created on the host server the first time data is backed up or restored and contains details about the session.

Ensure that you have met the prerequisites detailed in Section 3.1, Prerequisites for Performing SBCON Tasks.

  1. From the SBCON Main Menu, select Log File Administration > View a Log File.

  2. If necessary, set the location of the log and error files for a backup session. (This option is not supported for a restore session.)

    To set the location, use one or more of the following methods:

    • Press Enter to accept the default location, and then go to Step 3.

    • Press Insert to select from a list of network directories, select a directory, then press Esc to return to the previous window, and then go to Step 3.

    • To change the directory, delete the existing directory path and type a new one, then go to Step 3.

      You can also press Insert during this process to select existing parts of the path from a list.

    The backup log displays all supported name space types. The creator name space is the first in the group and a right-angle bracket (>) appears next to it.

    If you have linked UNIX files, SBCON retains both symbolic and hard links created under the NFS name space type, but links are not listed in the backup log. Restoring the original file restores associated links.

  3. To return to the Main Menu, press Enter and then Esc.

    The Esc key allows you to exit SBCON one screen at a time until you reach the Main Menu. If you want to exit SBCON, press Esc again and answer the confirmation prompt.

3.6.3 Viewing an Error File

An error file records any errors that occurred during the backup or restore session. (See Section 1.7, Session Files.)

Ensure that you have met the prerequisites detailed in Section 3.1, Prerequisites for Performing SBCON Tasks.

  1. From the SBCON Main Menu, select Log File Administration > View an Error File.

  2. If necessary, set the location of the log and error files for a backup session. (This option is not supported for a restore session.)

    To set the location, use one or more of the following methods:

    • Press Enter to accept the default location, then go to Step 3.

    • Press Insert to choose from a list of network directories, choose a directory, press Esc to exit and then go to Step 3.

    • To change the directory, delete the existing directory path and type a new one, then go to Step 3.

      You can also press Insert during this process to select existing parts of the path from a list.

    Restore errors are appended to a session’s backup error file. A Restore Session Begins message marks the beginning of the restore errors, if any exist.

    If you linked UNIX files, symbolic and hard links created under the NFS name space type might not be restored if the pathname is not recognized. When this happens, the error file contains messages similar to the following:

    Error restoring namespace specific information of XXXX:tmp/hosts in NFS namespace, error 0x7!
    
    Unable to allocate directory handle for XXXX:tmp/test!
    
  3. When you are finished viewing the file, press Esc.

  4. To return to the Main Menu, press Esc as required.

    The Esc key allows you to exit SBCON one screen at a time until you reach the Main Menu. If you want to exit SBCON, press Esc again and respond at the confirmation prompt.

3.6.4 Setting the Location of Backup Log and Error Files

Every time you do a backup, you are required to set a location (or directory path) for the log and error files. The restore log and error files are always located in the directory, sys:system/tsa/restore.

You can set the location when requested in the backup procedures, or you can use the following method prior to beginning the backup procedures.

Ensure that you have met the prerequisites detailed in Section 3.1, Prerequisites for Performing SBCON Tasks.

  1. From the SBCON Main Menu, select Log File Administration > Set Location of Log and Error Files.

  2. Set the location using one or more of the following methods:

    • Press Enter to accept the default location, then press Esc to return to the Main Menu.

    • Press Insert to select from a list of network directories, select a directory, then press Esc twice to return to the Main Menu.

    • Press Backspace to delete the path shown (or a portion of the path), type a new directory or path, press Enter, and then press Esc to return to the Main Menu.

      You can also press Insert during this process to select existing parts of the path from a list.

  3. Press Esc when finished to return to the Main Menu.

3.6.5 Deleting the Log Files

SBCON allows you to overwrite sessions and reuse storage media.

When you delete the log file for a session using the following procedure, you automatically delete the corresponding error file as well.

To prevent outdated session information from taking up disk space and to help prevent confusion when you select sessions to view or restore, delete the session log files for any session that has been overwritten.

Ensure that you have met the prerequisites detailed in Section 3.1, Prerequisites for Performing SBCON Tasks.

To delete the log and error files:

  1. From the SBCON Main Menu, select Log File Administration > View a Log File.

  2. If you have not set the location of log and error files, do so now using one or more of the following methods:

    • Press Enter to accept the default location, then go to Step 3.

    • Press Insert to select from a list of directories, select a directory, press Esc to return to the previous window, then go to Step 3.

    • Press Backspace to delete the path shown (or a portion of the path), type a new directory or path, and then go to Step 3.

    You can also press Insert during this process to select existing parts of the path from a list.

  3. Select the description of the session that you have overwritten (or plan to overwrite) and press Delete.

    A confirmation prompt is displayed.

  4. To delete the log and error file for that session, click Yes.

  5. Press Esc when finished to return to the Main Menu.