NAME

mkboot − make a bootable tape for system restoration

SYNOPSIS

/etc/mkboot [ −s standalonedir ] [ −r rootdev ] [ filesys ...  ]

DESCRIPTION

mkboot creates a tape with the contents of the disk at the time it is invoked.  This tape can restore a system to a functional state, regardless of the contents of the disk.  You can use this tape to recover from a crash, or to bring up a new disk. 

The contents of the tape depend on the model of the machine.  For an IRIS 2400 or 2500, the first file is a cpio-format archive of necessary standalone programs; the second is a “dd” image (see dd(1)) of the special boot partition; the third is a “dd” image of the root file system; the fourth and succeeding files are cpio-format archives of any user file systems specified by the filesys argument. 

For an IRIS 2400T, 2500T, 3020, or 3030, the first file is a cpio-format archive of necessary standalone programs; the second is a “dd” image of the root file system; the third and succeeding files are cpio-format archives of any user file systems specified by the filesys argument. 

The standalone programs are normally taken from /stand; the −s option specifies an alternate directory.  The root file system is normally md0a, ip0a, or si0a, depending on the system model; the −r option specifies an alternate (block) device. 

The remaining options are the path names of directories to be included on the tape; no user file systems are included by default.  Executing mkboot with no options makes a bootable tape of the root file system, and includes the special boot partition for IRIS 2400s and 2500s only. 

To use the tape to restore a system, boot the standalone program mdfex, ipfex, or sifex from the first file on the tape.  For an IRIS 2400 or 2500, copy tape file 2 (file system g, the special boot partition) and then tape file 3 (file system a, the root file system) onto the disk (see example below).  For an IRIS 2400T, 2500T, 3020, or 3030, copy tape file 2 (file system a, the root file system). 

When the system is restored from tape, all previous contents on the root file system of the disk are lost.  Bring up the system in single-user mode.  To restore user file systems, run mkfs(1M) to create the required file systems on disk. Use mt(1) to rewind the tape to be copied from, and to skip forward to the third file (fourth file for IRIS 2400 or 2500 users). Read in the user file systems with cpio(1).

Reboot the system from the default boot file on the disk. 

EXAMPLE

This command creates a standard “mkboot” tape. 

/etc/mkboot /usr

The next example restores the special boot partition and the root file system on an IRIS 2400.  For an IRIS 2500, substitute ipfex for mdfex.  User responses are written in bold. 

iris> b mt0:mdfex <return>
mdfex 2.4> t
Tape to Disk Copy
Tape file (2)? <return>
Unit (0) = <return>
File system (a)? g<return>
Type ’go<return>’ to begin go<return>
Started
Copy started ...
Tape to Disk Copy Complete
mdfex 2.4> t
Tape to Disk Copy
Tape file (2)? 3<return>
Unit (0) = <return>
File system (a)? <return>
Type ’go<return>’ to begin go<return>
Started
Copy started ...
Tape to Disk Copy Complete
mdfex 2.4> q
--confirm quit with ‘y’: y
iris> b

The next example restores the root file system on an IRIS 2400T or 3020.  For an IRIS 2500T, substitute ipfex for mdfex.  For an IRIS 3030, substitute sifex for mdfex. 

iris> b mt0:mdfex <return>
mdfex 2.4> t
Tape to Disk Copy
Tape file (2)? <return>
Unit (0) = <return>
File system (a)? <return>
Type ’go<return>’ to begin go<return>
Started
Copy started ...
Tape to Disk Copy Complete
mdfex 2.4> q
--confirm quit with ‘y’: y
iris> b

SEE ALSO

cpio(1), dd(1), mkfs(1M), mt(1). 

Version 2.4  —  May 08, 1986