Chapter 2. Getting Started

This chapter describes how to start the NetWorker programs and navigate their windows.  It provides a Quick Tour using NetWorker to back up and recover files from a client system.  To use NetWorker, your system must be configured as a NetWorker client.  See “Requirements for NetWorker Clients”, for details on the requirements for NetWorker clients.

If your site has the optional NetWorker Archive Application, be sure to read Chapter 5, “Archiving and Retrieving Files,” for information on using the program windows.

When NetWorker is running on your system, you can see the NetWorker icons or the NetWorker Backup and NetWorker Recover windows on your screen (see Figure 2-1).  The program icons include the “NetWorker knight” and a caption.  If you see these, click an icon to open the program window.

Figure 2-1. NetWorker Icons for Backup and Recover

Figure 2-1 NetWorker Icons for Backup and Recover

If you do not see the NetWorker icons or the windows on your screen, start NetWorker from the command line on your system.

Starting NetWorker

To start NetWorker from the command line, enter either the nwbackup or nwrecover command, specifying a NetWorker server name after the -s option.  Use an ampersand (&) to run NetWorker in the background:

# nwbackup -s server_name & 
# nwrecover -s server_name & 

If you have a multi-server network and do not specify a server name, NetWorker chooses a backup server for you.


Tip: You can start NetWorker from any directory.  The directory where NetWorker starts is the location shown in the NetWorker Backup or NetWorker Recover directory display.

If you receive an error message while starting NetWorker, there may be problems with your network configuration.  Refer to “Requirements for NetWorker Clients” to confirm that your system is configured correctly as a NetWorker client.  If you need further help, contact your system administrator.

Using NetWorker Windows

NetWorker displays your files and directories using icons and windows.  NetWorker windows provide an easy-to-use X Window System graphical user interface (GUI).  This section shows you how to use NetWorker windows.

Window Components

Figure 2-2 shows the NetWorker Backup window and its components.

Figure 2-2. NetWorker Backup Window Vocabulary

Figure 2-2 NetWorker Backup Window Vocabulary

Menu Bar

The menu bars in the NetWorker Backup and NetWorker Recover windows contain the File, Tree, View, Change, Mark, Options, and Help pulldown menus.  There are two choices for navigating NetWorker menus.  You can use the point-and-drag method with a mouse, or you can use the keyboard shortcuts.

  • To pull down a menu using a mouse, move the mouse so its arrow points to your menu choice.  Hold down the primary mouse button (usually on the left); the menu appears.  With the mouse button still held down, drag the mouse arrow to the item in the menu, then release the button to make your choice.

  • To pull down a menu using keyboard shortcuts:

    1. Hold down the [Alt] key.

    2. Press the key that matches the underlined letter of the menu name.

    3. Release both keys, then press the key that matches the underlined letter in the menu item name.


Note: The left and right mouse button actions used in this manual are X Window System defaults.  If you have problems using the mouse, your mouse buttons may be programmed differently.  See your system administrator for help.


Online Help

Select the online Help menu, available in any NetWorker main window, for help on using NetWorker.  Online help is available for components of the selected window, menu items, and dialog boxes.

The Help pulldown menu (see Figure 2-3) provides choices that provide help on the current window, a list of help topics to browse, directions for using Help, and information about the version of NetWorker you are using.

Figure 2-3. Help On Topic Menu Choice

Figure 2-3 Help On Topic Menu Choice

Select the On Topic menu item in the Help pulldown menu to open the Topics Help dialog box, as shown in Figure 2-4.

Figure 2-4. Topics Help Window

Figure 2-4 Topics Help Window

To see more information about a topic, click its title in the Topics scrolling list.  Help text for the selected topic appears at the top of the dialog box.  The Topics scrolling list remains available in the bottom panel for selecting other topics.

For example, clicking the topic Backup produces the dialog box shown in Figure 2-5.

Figure 2-5. Backup Help Window

Figure 2-5 Backup Help Window

To return to the NetWorker Backup window, click the Cancel button.

Speedbar

The five graphical buttons that appear on the speedbar (see Figure 2-6) serve as shortcuts for the following menu items:

  • Change Server—switches to a different NetWorker server

  • Mark—marks directories or files

  • Unmark—unmarks directories or files

  • Search—searches for specific directories or files

  • Start—starts the backup or recover operation

    Figure 2-6. NetWorker Speedbar Buttons

    Figure 2-6 NetWorker Speedbar Buttons

The speedbar is identical in the NetWorker Backup, NetWorker Recover, and NetWorker Archive windows.  Clicking a speedbar button produces the same result as selecting the menu item from a pulldown menu.

Selection Panel

The selection panels in the NetWorker Backup, NetWorker Recover, and NetWorker Archive windows show the current server and client selected.  The selection panel in the NetWorker Recover window also displays the current Browse Time.

The Selection field shows the full pathname of the currently selected file or directory.  Enter text in the Selection field or click a directory or file icon to select a different pathname.

Directory and File Display Areas

The window is divided into two display areas:  a directory display on the left side and a file display on the right side.  Both display areas contain vertical and horizontal scrollbars that allow you to view complete directory and file information. You can adjust the window to fit more information in the display areas.  The display areas contain icons that represent the files and directories in the path you select.

Window Controls

Navigate vertically or horizontally in the directory and file displays by clicking the triangular endpoints on the scrollbars, or by dragging the slider.

Icons

Use the checkbox next to an icon to mark and unmark files and directories for backup or recover.  The icons you see in the window are described below.  (Some of the icons represent terms common to UNIX.)

Folder icons represent directories (see Figure 2-7).

Figure 2-7. Folder Icon for Directory

Figure 2-7 Folder Icon for Directory

Open folder icons indicate that the tree structure of the directory, if any exists, appears in the directory display (see Figure 2-8).

Figure 2-8. Open Folder Icon for Directory Tree

Figure 2-8 Open Folder Icon for Directory Tree

A check mark in the checkbox next to a folder icon for a subdirectory indicates that it is marked for backup or recover (see Figure 2-9).

Figure 2-9. Check Icon for Directory Tree Mark

Figure 2-9 Check Icon for Directory Tree Mark

Shaded folder icons indicate a directory selected for menu actions.  The folder contents appear in the file display (see Figure 2-10).

Figure 2-10. Shaded Icon for Selected Directory

Figure 2-10 Shaded Icon for Selected Directory

Folder icons with the red root-system represent mount points (see Figure 2-11).

Figure 2-11. Root-System Icon for Mount Points

Figure 2-11 Root-System Icon for Mount Points

In the file display, sheet icons represent files, while folder icons represent directories (see Figure 2-12).

Figure 2-12. Sheet Icon Representing a File

Figure 2-12 Sheet Icon Representing a File

Shaded sheets indicate selected files, and chain icons represent symbolic links (see Figure 2-13).

Figure 2-13. Chain Icon Representing Symbolic Link

Figure 2-13 Chain Icon Representing Symbolic Link

Brick icons represent block devices, while three-box icons represent character devices (see Figure 2-14).

Figure 2-14. Brick and Three-Box Icons for Devices

Figure 2-14 Brick and Three-Box Icons for Devices

The clock or watch icon replaces the cursor when NetWorker is busy performing a task.

Exiting From a Window

The Exit menu item is in the File menu of all NetWorker windows (see Figure 2-15).  Selecting the Exit item closes the current window, without backing up or recovering files, and quits the current window.

Figure 2-15. File Exit Menu

Figure 2-15 File Exit Menu

Quick Tour of NetWorker

Follow the instructions in this section to become familiar with how NetWorker functions.  The “Quick Tour” shows how to back up your current directory and recover a file using NetWorker.  Chapters 3 and 4 provide detailed information about using NetWorker.  Chapter 5 provides detailed information about using the optional NetWorker Archive Application.

Backing Up Your Directory

The NetWorker Backup window displays a graphical representation of the path with the current directory highlighted.  The NetWorker Backup window lets you browse the filesystem to examine your directories and decide which files to mark for backup. 

The Quick Tour takes you through the following steps to practice backing up a file:

  • opening the NetWorker Backup window

  • expanding the current directory

  • marking an entire subdirectory for backup

  • excluding a file from the backup

  • starting the backup

Opening the NetWorker Backup Window

Click the nwbackup icon (shown in Figure 2-16) to open the NetWorker Backup window, or type the nwbackup command at the system prompt.

Figure 2-16. NetWorker Backup Icon

Figure 2-16 NetWorker Backup Icon

The NetWorker Backup window appears, as shown in Figure 2-17.

Figure 2-17. NetWorker Backup Window

Figure 2-17 NetWorker Backup Window

The Selection field displays the pathname of the directory where you originally started NetWorker.  The directory display shows a graphical representation of the path with the current directory highlighted.  A highlighted directory is represented as a shaded folder icon in the display.  The file display shows the contents of the current directory.  A highlighted file is displayed as a shaded sheet icon.

Expanding the Current Directory

Expand the current directory one level to find a subdirectory to mark for backup.  Select Expand One Level from the Tree menu (see Figure 2-18).

Figure 2-18. Tree Menu, Expand One Level Option

Figure 2-18 Tree Menu, Expand One Level Option

The directory display changes to show the expanded directory, one level below, as shown in Figure 2-19.

Figure 2-19. Backup Window, Expanded One Level

Figure 2-19 Backup Window, Expanded One Level

Marking a Subdirectory

To mark a subdirectory, click the checkbox next to the folder representing the subdirectory you want to back up.  A check mark (3) appears in the checkboxes, as shown in Figure 2-20.

Click the folder to display its files.  In the file display, the files and subdirectories contained in the marked subdirectory also appear marked, as shown.

Figure 2-20. Backup Window Checked after Mark

Figure 2-20 Backup Window Checked after Mark

When you mark a directory, its nested files and subdirectories are marked as well.  The checkboxes of the parent directories are shaded to indicate that a subdirectory has been marked.


Tip: You can also mark a directory by clicking its folder in the directory display and clicking the Mark speedbar button.  The effect is the same as clicking the checkbox next to its folder.


Excluding a File From the Backup

You can exclude a file from backup by unmarking it.  Click the checkbox next to a file to unmark it in the file display.  The check mark disappears, excluding the file from backup, as shown in Figure 2-21.

Figure 2-21. Backup Window After Mark and Unmark

Figure 2-21 Backup Window After Mark and Unmark


Tip: You can also unmark a file by clicking its folder in the file display and clicking the Unmark speedbar button.  The effect is the same as clicking the checkbox next to its folder.


Starting the Backup

After you finish marking files, you are ready to start the backup.  Click the Start speedbar button to start the backup.

Before the backup starts, the Backup Options dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 2-22.

Figure 2-22. Backup Options Dialog Box

Figure 2-22 Backup Options Dialog Box


Tip: You can exclude groups of files by entering UNIX shell pattern matching characters in the Backup Options dialog box.  For information on excluding patterns, see Chapter 4, “Backing Up and Recovering Files.”

Use the Backup Options dialog box to tell NetWorker whether or not to compress the files during backup.  The default choice for Do you want to compress this backup? is already highlighted, as shown.  Click the Ok button to continue the backup with file compression.


Note: Compressing your data during backup saves space on the backup media and reduces network traffic, but may slow down the backup operation.  Check with your system administrator to find out if you should compress your data during a backup.

The Backup Status window appears, as shown in Figure 2-23, so you can monitor the backup process.

Figure 2-23. Backup Status Window

Figure 2-23 Backup Status Window


Tip: If you do not see files scrolling in the display, or if an error message appears, contact your system administrator.  The server may be busy, or could have a configuration problem, or a backup volume might not be mounted in the device.

When your backup is complete, you see a message similar to the following in the Backup Status dialog box:

Backup Completion Time: Fri Nov 3 14:20:42 1995

NetWorker backs up marked files to the volume mounted in the server backup device.  NetWorker also creates an entry in the index for each file it backs up, so you can find them for quick recovery.

Click the Cancel button to close the Backup Status window.  Click the minimize button in the window header to reduce the NetWorker Backup window and display the nwbackup icon.  If you want to exit NetWorker (stop the program), select Exit from the File menu.

Recovering a File

The NetWorker Recover window displays the index entries NetWorker creates when it backs up the data on your system.  Index entries are organized exactly like the filesystem displayed in the NetWorker Backup window, so you can easily navigate through your directories and files.

The Quick Tour takes you through the following steps to practice recovering a file:

  • opening the NetWorker Recover window

  • browsing the files contained in an index

  • marking the files you want to recover

  • starting the recover

Opening the NetWorker Recover Window

Click the nwrecover icon (shown in Figure 2-24) to open the NetWorker Recover window, or type the nwrecover command at the system prompt.

Figure 2-24. NetWorker Recover Icon

Figure 2-24 NetWorker Recover Icon

The NetWorker Recover window appears, as shown in Figure 2-25.

Figure 2-25. NetWorker Recover Window

Figure 2-25 NetWorker Recover Window


Note: The NetWorker Recover window displays index entries for the files on the NetWorker server.  By contrast, the NetWorker Backup window displays the actual files in your filesystem.  The NetWorker Recover window shows entries for files that have been backed up and are available for recovery.  The entries are organized exactly like an actual filesystem, so it is easy for you to navigate the directories.


Browsing the Index

You can browse the index to locate a file you want to recover.

  1. Notice that the current directory is highlighted.

  2. Select Expand One Level from the Tree pulldown menu.

    The subdirectories are displayed in a tree structure in the directory display, as shown in Figure 2-26.

    Figure 2-26. Recover Directory After Expanding One Level

    Figure 2-26 Recover Directory After Expanding One Level


Tip: Double-clicking a closed directory folder expands it one level.  Double-clicking an open directory folder collapses it.


Marking a File

To mark a file or directory for a recover:

  1. Click the directory folder that contains the file you want to recover.  The file display shows the most recently backed-up version of the files contained in the directory.

  2. Click the checkbox in the file display next to the file you want to recover, as shown in Figure 2-27.  If you want to recover an entire directory, mark its checkbox in the directory display.

    Figure 2-27. File Marked for Recovery With Check Mark

    Figure 2-27 File Marked for Recovery With Check Mark

Starting the Recover

So far, you have browsed the index and marked files for recovery.  The next step is to start the recover.

  1. Click the Start speedbar button to start the recover.  The Conflict Resolution dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 2-28.

    Figure 2-28. Conflict Resolution Dialog Box

    Figure 2-28 Conflict Resolution Dialog Box

    Use the Conflict Resolution dialog box to resolve naming conflicts that might occur during recovery.  Naming conflicts occur when the requested recover file has the same name as an existing file.

  2. Click No for Do you want to be prompted when conflict occurs?, so that NetWorker does not prompt you for each naming conflict.

  3. Click one of the When conflict occurs, NetWorker should? choices.  The default choice, Rename the recover file, is already selected.  This option adds a .R extension after the name of the recovered file when a naming conflict occurs.


    Tip: We recommend you select the default choice, Rename the recover file, to ensure that existing files are not accidentally overwritten.


  4. Click Ok to close the Conflict Resolution dialog box and continue the recover.

    The Recover Status window appears, as shown in Figure 2-29, so you can monitor the recover process.

  5. Confirm your file recover by listing the contents of the directory from a UNIX® command prompt.  Since Rename the recover file was selected in the Conflict Resolution dialog box, the recovered file shown in the example has a .R file extension.

    Figure 2-29. Recover Status Window

    Figure 2-29 Recover Status Window

The Recover Status dialog box provides the following information:

  • number of files to recover and their recover location

  • estimated disk space needed

  • name(s) of the backup volumes needed

  • device location of the required backup volume(s)

  • number of files being recovered and their names

  • new filenames, if you selected Rename the recover file

Click the Cancel button to cancel the recover or close the Recover Status dialog box when the recover is finished.

A message similar to the following appears when the file recover completes:

Recover completion time: Wed Apr 17 15:21:17 1996

Quick Tour Review

During the Quick Tour of NetWorker, you learned how to perform the following tasks:

  • Use the NetWorker GUI.

  • Use the NetWorker Backup window to back up a subdirectory to the NetWorker server.

  • Exclude a file from the backup.

  • Monitor the status of the backup.

  • Use the NetWorker Recover window to browse the index for your backed-up files.

  • Mark a file for recover in the Recover window.

  • Recover a file.

  • Use the Conflict Resolution dialog box to resolve naming conflicts during recover.

  • Monitor the status of the recover.

The Quick Tour is meant to familiarize you with the NetWorker Backup and NetWorker Recover windows.  Chapter 3 shows how to view and mark your files and directories.  Chapter 4 provides detailed information on performing backups and recovers.

If you have the optional NetWorker Archive Application, see Chapter 5, “Archiving and Retrieving Files” for information specific to the NetWorker Archive and NetWorker Retrieve windows.