Catalog Restore

General Considerations

Catalog Restore is a disaster recovery utility that allows you to restore the Catalog in the event you lose it. The Catalog is the database on the Master Server that stores all job information, retention information, node information, and all backup metadata.

Possible disaster scenarios include DPX Master Server VM failure or damage to DPX Master Server databases. You need the Catalog to restore any backups. Ideally, store a recent copy of the Catalog offsite. A recent backup copy of the Catalog makes restoring data easier in the event of a disaster. Without the Catalog, you may not be able to use certain recovery features, such as NDMP restore and virtualization. Without a usable backup of the Catalog, restoring your system after a severe system failure will be arduous and time-consuming.

Preferred Method

The preferred method of Catalog Restore is from a tape device connected directly to the master server. If the alternate strategy of backing up the Catalog to DiskDirectory was used, you will first need to identify where the required Catalog backup is, and then use the Catalog restore facility to access the DiskDirectory volser. Recovery of the DiskDirectory volser to your master depends on the strategy implemented to back it up and retain the data offsite. If this second backup was to tape, you may need to use Tape mode restore to recover those DiskDirectory volsers. If the data was retained on disk storage, then to access the required catalog backup, you may need to replicate that data back on-site, attach CIFS/NFS storage, or attach LUN storage to the master server.

After a new DPX installation, if you have devices attached to your master server, launch the Device Configuration Wizard to install device software specific to those devices. Launching auto-configuration is not necessary because your node and other configurations are restored with the Catalog.

Note. The node of the master server where your Catalog resides must be defined in your Enterprise before starting a Catalog restore. Typically, the master node is added to the Enterprise by default during installation. If you need to define the node, follow the steps in Adding a Client Node from the Master Server Level.

To restore the Catalog once DPX is running, use either of the graphical interfaces to create a Catalog Restore job and then run it.

Warning! Running the Catalog Restore job will overwrite your entire DPX Master Server. Unless you are sure what you are doing, never run it on a fully working and properly configured environment. We strongly recommend performing Catalog Restore with