About backing up and restoring extended attribute files and named data streams
NetBackup can back up and restore the following file attributes:
Extended attribute files of the Solaris UNIX file system (UFS) and temporary file system (tmpfs)
Named data streams of the VxFS file system
NetBackup backs up extended attribute files and named data streams as part of normal file system backups.
Extended attribute files and named data streams are normal files contained in a hidden attribute directory that relate to a particular base file. The hidden directory is stored within the file system, but can be accessed only by the base file to which it is related. To view which files have extended attributes on Solaris 9 (or greater) systems, enter: ls -@
Neither extended attribute files nor named data streams can be backed up or restored individually. Rather, the files are backed up and restored all at once along with the base file.
The presence of a large number of extended attribute files or named data streams can cause some degradation in backup and restore speed. The speed is affected since the base file and all associated files are backed up.
The speed is especially affected in the case of incremental backups, during which NetBackup checks the mtime or ctime of each file individually.
On UNIX:
To back up or restore named data streams and extended attributes, the client, media server, and primary server must run the following versions:
NetBackup clients
HP 11.23 running VxFS 4.1 or greater.
AIX running VxFS 4.0 or greater.
Solaris 10 running VxFS 5.0 or greater
Solaris SPARC 9, 10 running VxFS 4.0 or greater
Linux running VxFS 5.0 or greater.
A NetBackup primary server
A NetBackup primary server of any version can back up and restore named data streams and Solaris extended attributes.
Restored attribute files and named data streams can replace existing files if is selected in the Backup, Archive, and Restore client interface.
On UNIX: In the following example, File 1 is to be restored. Base File 1 currently possesses four extended attribute files.
On UNIX: The user restores File 1 from a backup that was created when File 1 possessed only three extended attribute files.
On UNIX: Since is selected as a restore option, when the user restores File 1, extended attribute files 1, 2, and 3 are overwritten. Extended attribute file 4 remains and is not overwritten.
If an attempt is made to restore the following items, an error message appears in the Restore Monitor. The error message informs the user that the extended attributes or named data streams are not restored.
The extended attribute files to any non-Solaris 9 client (or greater)
Named data streams to any non-VxFS 4.0 client
NetBackup then continues with the restore job.
To disable the restore of extended attribute files and named data streams, add an empty file to the client. Name the file IGNORE_XATTR and place it in the following directory:
/usr/openv/netbackup/
The addition affects only Solaris 9 or VxFS 4.0 clients.
File IGNORE_XATTR was formerly known as IGNORE_XATTR_SOLARIS.
On UNIX: Only nbtar that is supplied with NetBackup can restore the extended attributes or named data streams to a client.
On UNIX: For more information, see the NetBackup Administrator's Guide, Volume II.
Note:
Extended attributes and named data streams cannot be compressed.