Backup Exec Step By Step guide to download and install the Remote Agent for UNIX Servers (RALUS) for AIX and Solaris platforms.

Problem

This article provides instructions for downloading and installing the Backup Exec Remote Agent for Unix for AIX and Solaris platforms.
 

Solution

The quick links listed below can be used to navigate through the installation instructions if required.

1.    System requirements and software compatibility
2.    Install Backup Exec Remote Agent for Unix Servers (RALUS) for AIX and Solaris platforms
3.    Uninstall Backup Exec Remote Agent for Unix Servers (RALUS) for AIX and Solaris platforms
4.    Known limitations of RALUS for AIX and Solaris for this installable

 

System Requirements and software compatibility

Backup Exec  Media Server offers support for RALUS for AIX and Solaris
For the latest versions support, see the Software Compatibility List

IBM

Sun

Install RALUS for AIX and Solaris

Follow these steps to install the Remote Agent for Linux and UNIX Servers on AIX and Solaris:

Note: RALUS is an additionally purchased option and is enabled by installing the RALUS serial numbers on the Backup Exec media server.

RALUS is included on the DVD, and can be found in the " Unix" folder present at the root of the DVD for Backup Exec.

It is also advisable to check the RALUS compatibility with AIX and Solaris host before installation.

To install the Remote Agent for UNIX Servers on the AIX or Solaris host:

1. On a AIX or Solaris host, copy the RALUS Agent installation files from Backup Exec DVD ISO
     Example: Backup Exec 22.2 RALUS Agent installation file: X:\Unix\RALUS_RMALS-1193.1605.tar.gz

2. Connect to the target host using a terminal session or Log On locally with super user, root, or administrator privileges.

3. Extract the contents of the installation files that were downloaded in Step 1 using the following command Figure 1a below: 

Note:  Do not extract the RALUS installer files on a Windows system and copy the resulting files to the Unix host.  Doing so will cause difficult to diagnose installation errors.  It is important to copy the .gz file to the Linux/Unix host and extract the files there as shown below.
Note: This is a one step command to extract and untar the file.

tar zvxf filename.tar.gz

or

tar -zxvf filename.tar.gz

z = Gunzip(uncompress) it before extracting, used on file ending in .tar.gz or .tgz

x = Extract the contents of the TAR file

v = Verbose - display contents as it is tarring or extracting

f =  Filename to follow

Note: If the file does not have ".gz" extension that means its already uncompressed and one has to just extract it using "tar xvf" command.

Figure 1a:

Or, in two commands as shown in Figure 1b below:

Figure 1b:

Note: This is a two step command to extract and untar the file.

gunzip filename.tar.gz

tar xvf filename.tar

4. Navigate to the folder that was extracted in Step 3 as shown in Figure 2 below and then list the contents with ls command 

Figure 2:

Figure 3:

5. At the command prompt, type: installralus and press <Enter> in the directory that the install script is present shown in Figure 3 below:
./installralus

Figure 3:

6. The installation screen appears: (Figure 4)

Figure 4:

Type the Unix server IP address or Hostname and press Enter as shown in Figure above.

7 . RALUS performs the initial system check as shown in Figure 5 below:

Figure 5

Press Enter to continue.

8 . RALUS will check and install the following rpms on the Unix server as shown in Figure 6 below:

Figure 6:

Press Enter to continue.

9. Installation requirement checks completed successfully as shown in Figure 7 below.

Figure 7:

Press Enter to continue.

13. The RALUS configuration has also completed successfully as shown. (Figure 14)

Figure 14:

Read the information and press Enter.

14. Finally, Veritas Backup Exec Remote Agent for Linux and Unix Server has completed successfully. (Figure 15)

Figure 15:

15. By default the VRTSralus.init service is started, Follow steps mentioned below Fig 16 to check status, to start the service, and to stop the service if required.

 /opt/VRTSralus/bin/VRTSralus.init status

/opt/VRTSralus/bin/VRTSralus.init start

 /opt/VRTSralus/bin/VRTSralus.init stop

16. Go to the Backup Exec media server and check the remote selections listed on the Backup tab. Expand the Unix icon:

Use the ROOT account

Figure 16:

RALUS configuration file.

The ralus.cfg file can be edited for either troubleshooting or configuration purposes as shown.

The file is located in the following location: /etc/VRTSralus/ralus.cfg
Config file details as shown in Fig. 17:

Figure 17:

For more information regarding RALUS, please refer to the Related Documents section given below.
 

Uninstall RALUS for AIX and Solaris

1. At the command prompt, type: uninstallralus and press <Enter> in the directory that the install script is present shown in Figure 18 below:
./uninstallralus

Figure 18:

2.The uninstallation screen appears as shown in Figure 19:
Figure 19:

Type the Unix server IP address or Hostname and press Enter as shown in Figure above.

3. Uninstallation requirement checks completed successfully as shown in Figure 20 below.
Figure 20:

4. Uninstallation completed successfully as shown in Figure 21 below.
Figure 21:

Known limitations of RALUS for AIX and Solaris installable

1. There is a known issue on AIX 6.1 when the File folder depth exceeds 28 levels. This issue is being worked upon and will be addressed in a future release.

2. Testing of backup and restore of files beyond 2GB has not been carried out on AIX 6.1. 

3. Snapshot technology for AIX and Solaris is not available.