CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS

1) What is BACKUP?

Backup is nothing but taking a additional copy of data Objects to be used for recovery. Backup
data consist of several versions. Each version at different point in Time but It follows the main
Object version.

2) What is archive?

Archive is nothing but Taking additional copy of file as a separate object in the storage repository to
be retained for specific period of time. But in archive it does not have any versions.

3) What are all different types BACKUP APPLICATIONS available in current trend?

Symantec Netbackup, Backup Exec, EMC Networker, Hitachi, HP Data1 protector

4) What are different types of backups?

Incremental Backup, FULL backup, Snapshot backup, Image backup, Group backup, Image with
Differential backup,

5) What is TSM? And History of TSM?

TSM stands for Tivoli Storage Manager; It is a Enterprise level backup solution

It was released in July 29 th 1993, earlier it is Called as ADSM. When it was taken by IBM It is
called as ITSM. It is mainly used to protect the data from hardware failures and other errors, and it
is used in Enterprise level.

6) Different editions in TSM?

Basic Edition, Extended Edition

7) Features of TSM?

Progressive Incremental backup methodology.

Tape Resource sharing
LAN FREE backup methodology
Network free data transfer
Dynamic multi threaded transfer
Adaptive differencing technology
Enterprise administration
8) Do you know any other backup products?

TIM(Tivoli identity manager) , TAM(tivoli access manager),Tivoli netcool ,Tivoli Monitoring , TDP
for sql , Oracle , sap etc..

9) What are the minimum requirements to install TSM SERVER and CLIENT?

Minimum------110mb (Hdd)

RAM -------128mb

Java version---1-4-1
10) Explain about TSM Architecture?

In tsm server we will register the node and we will install b/a client software in that System
and we will specify server address, node name , password access generate and few options in
dsm.opt of client machine and we log into that particular client and we will take the backup and
that data goes from the client to server and in server first it checks whether the node is
registered or not and once it is authenticated and server allows the client data in to storage pool
and when it reaches to certain highmig value automatically

Migration starts and it moves to secondary storage pool.

Note: while taking backup it starts the two sessions one is used to send the meta data and second is
used to send the actual data.

11) What are TSM Components? Explain it?

The components are:

Database: It is used to store the complete Meta information of the clients, client data, server
information (Meta data:-The information about the data)

Recovery log: It is used to maintain a record of transactional changes in the database .It is of two
modes 1) Normal mode 2) roll forward mode

Storage pool: It is the place where the client data objects are stored

B/A Client: It is client application software, in which system we want to take the backup we will
install in that.

Policy management enables the administrator to determine a set of rules how TSM will treat data.
This is set of rules is composed of policy domains, policy sets, management class and copy groups

Scheduler: It is an automated action used to run the schedule at the specific period of time.

Administrative interfaces: Administration centre, management console, B/A Client, Command line

12) What is progressive incremental backup methodlogy?

It means that while taking backup it only take the new or modified files.

13) What is TSM SERVER DATABASE? Explain it?

It is used to manage information about client files.

It contains information that is needed for server operations.

It consists of information about client systems, policymanagement rules, storage pool information,
schedules, locations, sizes

14) What is Recovery Log? And explain about LOG MODES?

What ever changes takes place in database that changes related record file will be stored in
Recovery log.

There are 2 modes in recovery log

Normal: When the transaction is started in database, then it will start writing in recovery log and
the data is committed to the database.

Once the transaction is committed or cancelled, it is removed from recovery log

Roll forward: When the transaction is started in database, then it will start writing in recovery log.
If it is committed, then it will not erase in this mode, until you take database backup.

In this mode, you can recover the database upto its most current state

15) What is Storage Pool and different types of Storage Pools? Explain it?

Storage pool is the place, where the data objects are stored.

Storage pools are 3 types

Primary: It is used for storing all versions of client data onsite.

Copy: It is used to backup the data from primary storage pools. The copy storage pools can be
stored in offsite location.

Active data: It contains only the latest copies of files (active files).

16) What are different methods available in TSM, to administer the TSM SERVER?

Command line, Admin center, backup/archive GUI, TSM Manager

17) What are the different client applications available in TSM?

B/A client, TDP for sql, Oracle, sap, TDP Exchange

18) What are the different versions in tsm server and client?

TSM versions are 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, latest is 6.1

19) What is policy management?

Policy management enables the administrator to determine a set of rules how TSM will treat data.
This is set of rules is composed of policy domains, policy sets, management class and copy groups.

Policy domain A policy domain is grouping of policy users with one or more policy sets, which
manage data.

Policy set: It is a collection of management class definitions. There can be only one active policy
set and no. of inactive policy sets.

Management class It is collection of management attributes describing backup and archive

attributes. It is associated with backup and archive copy groups

Copygroups: It consists of rules used to govern the data 1) backup copygroup 2) archive copygroup.

20) What is policy domain?

When clients are registered, they are associated with domain. A policy domain is grouping of policy
users with one or more policy sets, which manage data.

21) What is policy set?

It is a collection of management class definitions. There can be only one active policy set and no. of
inactive policy sets

22) What is management class?

It is collection of management attributes describing backup and archive attributes.

It is associated with backup and archive copy groups.

23) What is copygroup?

It consists of rules used to govern the retention of data.

There are 2 types

Backup copygroup: it holds rules for backup data.

Archive copygroup: it holds rules for archive data

24) What are the default parameters of copygroup?

Destination, VER Exist, VER Delete, RET extra, Ret only, RETver, serialization1111

25) What is version exists?

It is used for how many versions to maintain for a file, if it exits in client system

26) What is retension extra?

It specifies how many days we have to keep inactive version

27) What is version delete?

It specifies how many number of file copies to keep after the file has been deleted

28) What is retension only?

It specifies how many number of days to keep the last copy.

29) What is copy destination in copy group parameter?

It shows to which storage pool it copies.

30) Explain about copy group parameter mode?

It says about the copy group type (i.e. backup or archive).

31) Explain about serialization and its parameter?

The Serialization attribute determines whether a file can be in use during a backup, the value for
this attribute can be one of the following:
Static: A file or directory must not be modified during a backup. If the object is changed during a
backup attempt, it is not backed up.
Shared static: A file or directory must not be modified during backup. Tivoli Storage Manager
attempts to perform a backup as many as four additional times. If the object is changed during
every backup attempt, it is not backed up.
Dynamic: A file or directory is backed up on the first attempt regardless of whether it changes
during a backup.
 Shared dynamic: A file or directory is backed up regardless of whether it changes during a backup.
Tivoli Storage Manager attempts to perform a backup as many as four additional times. The file is
backed up on the last try even if it has changed.

32) Explain about archive copy group and its parameters and default values?

An archive copy group contains attributes that control:

Whether a file is archived if it is in use

On which media type the server stores archived copies of your files
How long the server keeps archived copies of your files

Parameters Archive default

Copy group name Standard
Type Archive
Frequency CMD (Command)
Serialization Shared static
Mode Absolute
Destination Archive pool
Retain versions 365 days

DATABASE

33) How to check the db % utilization?

Using Q DB Command, We can check the DB utilization.
34) How to take the db backup?
Backup db devclass = devclass name type=full/incremental/db snapshot volume=volume name
scratch=yes/no wait=yes/no
35) What are types of db backup differentiate them?
There are 3 types of db backup
Full: complete backup of database
Incremental: modified database backup.
Snapshot: A snapshot database backup is a full database backup that does not interrupt the current
full and incremental backup series. This backup can be stored in offsite for disaster recovery
purposes.
36) How to mirror a db volume?
Define dbcopy volume name copy volume name format size=MB wait=yes/no
37) Explain about space trigger in TSM?
TSM prepares an additional space when predetermined thresholds have been exceeded in the
database.
Tivoli Storage Manager uses to create database copy volumes

Define space Trigger DB Fullpct=80 space expansion=20 Expansion prefix=c: \TSM Server mirror
prefixes=F:\mirror1, G:\mirror2 Maximum size=megabytes STGPOOL=storage pool name

Then Increase the size of the DB using EXTEND command.

38) What is the use of splitted db architecture in TSM?
39) What is the maximum size recommend by IBM?
The maximum size recommend by IBM 530 GB
40) What will happen when db size is more than 150GB?
41) How to format a db volume from OS prompt?
You can create volume for db in OS level
C:\Program files\Tivoli\TSM\Console\dsmfmt db c:\ven\db.dsm 1024
Then you can extend DB in server mode.
C:\Program files\Tivoli\TSM\Server\dsmserv extend db c:\ven\db.dsm 1024
42) How to restore a TSM server db and steps involved in it?
You can create volume for db in OS level
C:\Program files\Tivoli\TSM\Console\dsmfmt db c:\ven\db.dsm 1024
Then you can extend DB in server mode.
C:\Program files\Tivoli\TSM\Server\dsmserv extend db c:\ven\db.dsm 1024
Then you can restore the DB
C:\Program files\Tivoli\TSM\Server\dsmserv restore db devclass=devclass name volume
name=c:\backup\0987.bm commit=yes
If original database volumes are available. Give only dsmserv restore db

43) How to load db?

44) How to unload db?

45) How to upgrade db?

Before upgrading the Tivoli Storage Manager server to the new release. Back up critical server
information by using the BACKUP DB, BACKUP DEVCONFIG, and BACKUP VOLHIST commands

Backup db type=full devclass=tape device

Backup devconfig filename=filename
Backup volhistory

Device configuration information files that you have identified in the dsmserv.opt file, with
the DEVCONFIG option.
Volume history information to files that you have identified in the dsmserv.opt file, with the
VOLUMEHISTORY option.
Save the TSM Server default directory (DEVICECONFIG, VOLHIST, dsmserv.opt and
dsmserv.dsk).
Now install the latest TSM Server software.
Verify that the installation was successful by starting the server.
An upgrade will not normally create a new database, recovery log, and storage pool volumes.
The dsmserv.dsk file points to the locations of the current database and recovery log
volumes.
The installation creates the Database volume (db.dsm), Recovery log volume (log.dsm),
Storage pool volumes (backup.dsm, archive.dsm, and spcmgmt.dsm) volumes in the same
directory:

C:\program files\Tivoli\TSM\Server\dsmserv upgrade db

46) What is the cache hit % of TSM database?

Specifies, as a percentage of the total number of requests, the number of requests for a
database page that are already in the buffer pool
47) How to check db backup is running or not?
Using these commands you can check db backup
Q session, Q Process
48) How to check the last db backup is completed or not?
Using these commands you can check the last db backup.

Q Volhist type=dbb, q event * type=admin

 49) What is the relation between volhist file and TSM database?

Volhist file: Use volume history information when you reload the database and audit affected storage
pool volumes. If you cannot start the server, you can use the volume history file to query the database
about these volumes.

The volume history includes information about the following types of volumes:

Database backup volumes

Database dump volumes
Export volumes
Backup set volumes
Database snapshot volumes
Database recovery plan file volumes
Recovery plan file volumes
Recovery plan file snapshot volumes
The following sequential access storage pool volumes:
o Volumes added to storage pools
o Volumes reused through reclamation or MOVE DATA operations
o Volumes removed by using the DELETE VOLUME command or during reclamation of
scratch volumes

It is used to manage information about client files.

It contains information that is needed for server operations.

It consists of information about client systems, policy management rules, storage pool
information, schedules, locations, sizes .

50) How to list the database volumes using dsmserv command?

DSMSERV display dbvolumes

51) What is the default page
size of a database?
The default size of database is 4096 KB (4 MB)
52) How to check current db transaction information and related commands?
Show dbtxnt

Related commands:
Backup db
Define dbcopy
Estimate dborgstats
Define dbvolume
Extend db
Reduce db
Reset bufpool
Reset db maxutilization
53) How to find db vol is online or offline?
54) How to format a dbvol from OS prompt?
You can create volume for db in OS level
C:\Program files\Tivoli\TSM\Console\dsmfmt db c:\ven\db.dsm 1024
55) How to take a db backup on a specified volume?
Using this command you can take db backup on a specified volume.

Backup db devclass = devclass name type=full/incremental/db snapshot volume=volume name scratch=yes/no

wait=yes/no

56) How to take a scheduled backup which should run for every 8 hrs?
Using this command you can take schuled backup which should run for every 8 hours

Define schedule domain name schedule name

action=incremental/selective/archive/restore/retrieve/image backup/image restore/command/macro
startdate=today starttime=04:00:00 duration=8 durunits=hours

57) What is db defragmentation?

A database defragmentation is done by performing a DSMSERV UNLOADDB, DSMSERV
LOADFORMAT and DSMSERV LOADDB.
58) How to delete a DB VOLUME? What are prerequisites for that?
Delete dbvol volumename

RECOVERY LOG

59) How to check the log mode? And how to change it?
You can check Q status. There you can find the mode.
You can change the mode using Set log mode roll forward
60) How to check the current recovery log information?
Using this command you can check the current recovery log information Q log f=d
61) How to define a mirror copy of RECOVERY LOG?
Define logcopy volumename copy volume name format size=MB wait=yes/no
62) How to check the % utilization of recovery log?
Using this command you can check the % utilization of recovery log Q log
63) How to check the number of log volumes?
Using this command you can check the number of volumes Q logvol
64) What is recovery log pinning?
The recovery log might appear to be out of space, when it is being pinned by an operation or
combination of operations on the server. A pinned recovery log is where space in the recovery log
cannot be reclaimed and used by current transactions because an existing transaction is processing
slowly or is hung.
65) What will happen when recovery log is pinning?
When it is being pinned by an operation or combination of operations on the server. A pinned
recovery log is where space in the recovery log cannot be reclaimed and used by current
transactions because an existing transaction is processing slowly or is hung.

66) What are the actions we have to take when recovery log is pinning by any session or
process?
If the recovery log is pinned, repeatedly issue the SHOW LOGPINNED command over many minutes.
If this reports the same client session or server processes as pinning the recovery log, you might
take action to cancel or terminate that operation in order to keep the recovery log from running out
of space. To cancel or terminate a session or process that is pinning the recovery log, issue the
SHOW LOGPINNED CANCEL command
67) Recovery log utilization reached 90% and above, what are the actions you have to take to
avoid TSM SERVER Crash?
First issue the SHOW LOGPIN Command, then cancels the pinning session.
If it is less than 13 GB, Then we can extend the log volume.

68) How to find out the RECOVERY LOG VOLUMES Location?

Using this command, you can find out the recovery log volumes Q logvol f=d
69) How to format a LOG VOLUME from OS PROMPT?
You can create volume for log in OS level
C:\Program files\Tivoli\TSM\Console\dsmfmt log c:\ven\log.dsm 512
Then you can extend log in server mode.
C:\Program files\Tivoli\TSM\Server\dsmserv extend log c:\ven\log.dsm 512

70) How to EXTEND the LOG from OS PROMPT?

You can extend log in server mode.
C:\Program files\Tivoli\TSM\Server\dsmserv extend log c:\ven\log.dsm 512

71) How to define space trigger for LOG?

TSM prepares an additional space when predetermined thresholds have been exceeded in the
recovery log.
Tivoli Storage Manager uses to create recovery log copy volumes
Then Increase the size of the LOG using EXTEND command.

Define space Trigger Log Fullpct=80 space expansion=20 Expansion prefix=c: \TSM Server mirror
prefixes=F:\mirror1, G:\mirror2 Maximum size=megabytes STGPOOL=storage pool name

72) What is the use of SHOW LOGPIN command?

It will show the which client session or server processes as pinning the recovery log
73) How to check the Current LOG Transaction related information?
Q log f=d
Related commands:
Define logcopy
Define logvolume
Extend log
Reduce log
Reset log maxutilization

74) How to delete a LOG VOLUME? What are prerequisites for that?
Delete logvol volume name
75) What is the MAX size of RECOVERY LOG recommended by IBM?
The maximum size of recovery log is 13 GB
76) In which LOG mode, we cannot extend the LOG?
In normal mode, we can not extend the log

1) Tell me about LUN?

2) Tell me about Zoning?
3) Where you will configure zoning?
4) Tell me mount path?
5) How will you add the new vg?
6) How to increase the file systems size?
7) Tell me about Fiber Channel?
8) Type of Fiber Channel classs? Explain?
9) What are the levels in UNIX?
10) How will you check the Run level?
11) What is mean by ODM? Explain?
12) Tell me where ODM insert? Path?
13) Tell me about /etc/security/password?
14) How to change a Password?
15) What is mean by Raid?
16) Explain Raid levels?
17) What is difference between Raid 4 and Raid 5?
18) Tell me password file?
19) How will change the characters in password? Example 8 to 6?
20) Tell me about PV ID?
21) Tell me about SAN switch 16-B2 brocade switch?
22) Tell me about init level?

1. Tell me about your self?

2. What is mean by Storage?
3. Tell me about HBA?
4. What is mean by Fibre Channel?
5. How will you store the data?
6. Tell me about Retention?
7. Tell me about Tape Library?
8. Which type of Tape model you are using in your Environmental? Explain?
9. Which type of Storage model you are using? Explain?
10. How will you connect the Server in Storage?
11. What is mean by WWN?
12. How many HBA card in Single Server?
13. What type of SAN switch youre using? Explain?
14. Types of Backup?(LAN free ,etc)
15. How to backup the data?
16. Tell me about SAN Architecture?
17. Tell me about TSM Components?
18. Tell about Administrator Scheduling?
19. Tell about Client Scheduling?
20. Tell me about your Blade Center? Which model? Explain?
21. What is mean by volume?
22. What is mean by volume pool?
23. Tell me about Backup and Archive? Difference between both?
24. How will you Transfer data through Fibre Channel?
25. Types of Backup methodologies? Explain?
26. Difference between Incremental and progressive?
27. How will you migrate data from disk to tape? Explain?

1) Tell me about Tape Library?

Ans: Tape Library is a collection of tapes (Sequential Storage). It may have single drive or
more than that to do read and write operations through a head. It has a robotic arm which helps to
pick the tape from the slots and put back in the slots after some i/o operations.
Example:
In TS3100 Tape Library, it has a single drive for i/o operation. 23 slots and 1 I/O slot. It is menu
operated tape library. It connected with a fiber channel through a HBA to communicate with SAN
switch. It consists of TAPES of 400 GB in normal state and 800 GB in Compressed state.

2) Tell me about disk storage?

Ans: Disk Storage is a collection of hard disk (Random Storage). It can accommodate more
than one hard disk. It can adapt RAID technique for better data storage. It also uses HBA to have a
 data communication through fiber channel with san switch. The LUN technique can be implemented
for better security.
Example:
In DS4200 Disk Storage, it has 16 slots for the hard disk. It has single HBA to communicate with
san switch. We can implement RAID 1-5 with this DS4200 Model. It can accommodate hard disk
capacity of 500 GB.

3) What are IBM storage models that you have worked?

Ans: They are no. of IBM Disk Storage models, such as:
a) DS4000
b) DS4100 (single and dual controller models),
c) DS4200
d) DS4300 (single/dual controller models and Turbo upgrade option),
e) DS4500,
f) DS4700,
g) DS4800

Additional Hardware Components for complete storage solutions:

a) EXP100
b) EXP710
c) EXP810

I have worked only with IBM DS4200.

4) Tell me FIVE AIX commands?

Ans:
a) lsvg
b) crfs
c) alog
d) cfgmgr
e) last

5) How will you find AIX HTTP?

Ans:
To start the Lotus Domino Go Webserver, use the following command:

startsrc -s httpd

To allow users to open a homepage, index.html, in a new directory, /newdir, you

have added a directory mapping in the /etc/httpd.conf file:
pass /* /newdir/*

To refresh the Web server, enter:

refresh -s httpd

After this, the users will be able to access the new homepage by entering the
following URL in their Web browser:

http://server_name[:port_number]/newdir/index.html

6) What mean by NFS?

Ans: NFS -Network File Systems

7) What is the use of NFS?

Ans: The Network File System (NFS) is a distributed file system that allows users to access
files and directories of remote servers as if they were local. NFS is independent of machine types,
operating systems, and network architectures through the use of remote procedure calls (RPC).

8) How will you check the AIX Server can be connected to tape library?
Ans:

9) What is ERRPT Command?

Ans: The errpt command generates an error report from entries in an error log. It includes flags for
selecting errors that match specific criteria.

The general syntax of the errpt command is as follows:

errpt [ a ]
errpt [ -c ]
errpt [ -d ErrorClassList ]
errpt [-e EndDate ]
errpt [ -g ]
errpt [ -i File ]
errpt [ -j ErrorID [ ,ErrorID ] ] | [ -k ErrorID [ ,ErrorID ]]
errpt [ -J ErrorLabel[ ,ErrorLabel ] ] | [ -K ErrorLabel [ ,ErrorLabel ] ]
errpt [ -l SequenceNumber ]
errpt [ -m Machine ]
errpt [ -n Node ]
errpt [-s StartDate ]
errpt [ -F FlagList ]
errpt [ -N ResourceNameList ]
errpt [ -R ResourceTypeList ]
errpt [ -S ResourceClassList ]
errpt [ -T ErrorTypeList ]
errpt [ -y File ]
errpt [ -z File ]
10) What is e in ERRPT command?
Ans: errpt [-e EndDate]

11) How will you find particular error in ERRPT?

Ans: Just by knowing the Identifier, we can pick-up the particular error in ERRPT.

12) Difference between AIX 4.1 and AIX 5.3?

 13) How to find IP Address in AIX?
Ans: IFCONFIG -a

14) How to find IP Address in Windows?

Ans: IPCONFIG /all

15) What is mean by dump command?

Ans: The system dump devices (primary /dev/hd6 and secondary /dev/sysdumpnull) should
not be mirrored. On some systems, the paging device and the dump device are the same device.
However, most users want the paging device mirrored. When mirrorvg detects that a dump device and
the paging device are the same, the logical volume will be mirrored automatically.

If mirrorvg detects that the dump and paging devices are different logical
Volumes, the paging device is automatically mirrored, but the dump logical
Volume is not. The dump device can be queried and modified with the sysdumpdev command.

Removing default paging spaces incorrectly can prevent the system

from restarting. This procedure should only be attempted by experienced
system administrators. You must deactivate the paging space before you can remove it, which requires a
reboot.
Check the primary dump device you are using by executing the command
sysdumpdev -l. You cannot remove the default dump device. You must
change the default dump device to another paging space or logical volume
before removing the paging space. To change the default dump device, use the following command:

sysdumpdev -P -p /dev/new_dump_device

16) What is mean by lsfs?

Ans: lsfs - Displays the characteristics of a file system.

17) How will you find AIX Network Information?

Ans:

18) What are the services in AIX?

Ans:

19) How will find current service status in AIX?

Ans:

20) What is mean by LVM?

Ans: The set of operating system commands, library subroutines, and other tools that allow
you to establish and control logical volume storage is called the Logical Volume Manager
(LVM).

21) How will you check the current process in AIX?

Ans:

22) How to increase the file system size?

Ans: chfs a size=+xxxx /file systems name

23) How to create a user in AIX and Windows?

Ans: In AIXmkuser
In WinGo to My computer--Right click the mouse ------ choose the manage---
24) What is mean by alog?
 Ans: The alog command can maintain and manage logs. It reads standard input, writes to
standard output, and copies the output into a fixed-size file. This file is treated as a circular
log. If the file is full, new entries are written over the oldest
existing entries.
25) Purpose of alog? If you give a with alog what will happen? Compare both?
26) What is mean by Domain?
27) How to create a domain? What are the steps in Policy Domain creation?
28) What is mean by /etc/password?
29) What is mean by /etc/security?
30) Where is alog file located in AIX? Exact path?
31) What is mean by /etc?
32) If you give errpt command how many columns displayed?
33) Lsdev c and lsdev p means?
34) Where will be data stored in Tape Library?

1) Tell me about the experience?

Ans: I used work with some IBM Hardware such as
HS21 - Blade Server(14 Slots, 7 Server currently using)
TS3100 Tape Library(23 Slots, 1 IOslot, Single Drive)
DS4200 Disk Storage(16 Slots, 4 Hard Disk(500 gb each))
SAN Switch 16B Brocade San Switch(16 Ports, 8 ports currently
using)
Fibre Channel Both Copper and Fibre optics cables we are using.
It has five layers
It has 7 classes
It has 2 Modes
It has Protocols such as FCP, FCIP,iFC, FICON,ESCON.
HBA It will be attached in each hardware such as Blade Server, AIX box, DS4200, TS3100. It is
used to communicate in SAN Environment through Fibre Channel. It uses Node-WWN and Port-
WWN to carry data from Source to Destination.
Through KVM(Keyboard-Video-Mouse) We used to monitor the blade server performance and
installation of some new software in VMware.
VMWare It is a Virtual Machine software tool which is used for the testing environment. It is
just like LPAR in AIX.

2) How will you start the Schedule Process

Ans: Execute the DSMC SCHED command at TSM client machine.

3) What is missed and failed backup?

Ans: Missed Backup:
If the schedule process was not started even after the Duration Window. It is
said to be missed backup.
The duration window is the time slice to start any schedule process. Before starting the schedule
process the client polling will be performed.
Once the start time received from the server side the schedule process will be executed.
Failed Backup:
It the schedule process stopped in between the schedule process or the disk
space is running out of memory or the any network communication failure or session full at server
side, it is said to be failed backup.

4) How will you list out the last ten days backed-up file details?
Ans: Q event <Domain Name> <schedule Name> <Node name> <begin date> begin time> <end
date> <end time>

5) How will you recover a TSM database from a crash?

Ans: We can recover the TSM database through Database backup and Recovery Log.
 If the recovery log is set in the normal mode, the database cannot be recovered in the current
status.
If the recovery log is set in the roll-forward mode, the database can be recovered in the
current status.

6) How will you increase the TSM database size during backup?
Ans: Space Trigger is the command

7) Tell me about Activity Log?

Ans: This command is used to display messages generated by the server. We can customize
the q actlog command to our requirement, by giving begin-date, begin-time and end-date, end-
time.

Example:
Display messages that occurred yesterday between 9:30 and 12:30.

Command

Query actlog begindate=today-1

begintime=09:30:00 endtime=12:30:00

8) Tell me about query event?

Ans: Query event displays the status of all the schedule events.

Display partial information for all events scheduled for DOMAIN1 that did not execute successfully.
Limit the search to the client named JOE. Limit the events displayed to those that were scheduled
to occur from February 11, 2001 (02/11/2001) to February 12, 2001 (02/12/2001).

Command

query event domain1 * nodes=joe begindate=02/11/2001

enddate=02/12/2001 exceptionsonly=yes

Output

+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Scheduled Start Actual Start Schedule Node Status | |
Name Name
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
02/11/1999 01:00:00 02/11/1999 01:13:55 BACK1 JOE Failed
02/12/1999 01:00:00 Daily Bkp JOE Missed
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

9) How to remove a node from a TSM server?

Ans: There are three steps to remove a node.
a) Delete Filespace
b) Delete Backupset
c) Delete Node(Remove Node)

Example: Removing file spaces and Backup set and node PLANA

tsm: IBM Tivoli Storage Manager_520_BRAZIL_AIX> delete filespace palana *

ANR2238W This command will result in the deletion of all inventory references
to the data on filespaces that match the pattern * for node PALANA, whereby
rendering the data unrecoverable.
Do you wish to proceed? (Yes/No) y
ANS8003I Process number 35 started.

tsm: IBM Tivoli Storage Manager_520_BRAZIL_AIX> delete backupset palana *

ANR2365I Backupset ARMANDO_BS.20548 for node PALANA has been deleted.

tsm: IBM Tivoli Storage Manager_520_BRAZIL_AIX> remove node palana

Do you wish to proceed? (Yes/No) y
ANR2061I Node PALANA removed from policy domain STANDARD.
ANR2129I Administrative userid PALANA defined ONLY for authority over node
PALANA has been removed.

10) What is expire inventory? Why to do that? When to do?

Ans:

11) How will you identify the error is from Server-Side or Client-Side? What is ANR, ANS error
codes? How to view the error details?
Ans:

12) Tell me about VEREXISTS, VERDELETED, RETEXTRA, and RETONLY?

Ans: VerExist: No. of Objects and Version to keep

13) How will you check the schedule errors?

14) How will you list the yesterdays Backed files?
15) How to check the schedule has been completed as successful/missed/failed/..?
16) Explain Errlog and Schedlog?
17) Consider the administrator has forgotten to perform the Daily backup on a day. Next day he
wants to perform the same backup but he finds that the system shows an error such as
Unable to perform Backup operation. How to solve this issue?
18) The scheduling is running everyday at night 9.00 PM, But the server crashed with some
network failure. How to recover from this problem and to make the schedule to restart?
19) While to restarting the schedule it will start from the beginning or it will start from where it
was stopped?
20) Consider there are two servers, Server A and Server B. How will you backup server As data
to server B?
21) What will you do if you forgot your password?
22) Tell me about day to day activities?
23) What is domain, policy and policy set?
24) What is mean by management class?
25) What is mean by library?
26) What are the server files and client files?
27) What is mean q sched?
28) What is mean by schedlog?
29) What is mean dev?
30) How will find the server errors?
31) What is mean by dsmerror.log?
32) Component of TSM?
33) What is mean by Administrator Center?
34) Without A.C will the TSM Server works?
35) What is Purpose of A.C?
36) How to backup one PCs Data to another?
37) Tell me about Backup and types?

1) Tell about yourself

2) Rate yourself in Aix from 1 to 10 7
3) Rate yourself in Storage (SAN) from 1 to 10 8
 4) What is zoning? Types?
5) What is lun?
6) How will you configure a lun?
7) How will you detect a fresh server in the fast storage manager 9x?
8) How will you monitor the storage process?
9) How will you configure a TSM Server in a fresh system?
10) What is domain?
11) What is policyset?
12) What is copy group?
13) What is retonly and retextra?
14) What is verexist and verdelete?
15) What is single drive reclamation?
16) What is reclamation and collocation?
17) What is lpar?
18) What is the difference between aix 4.3 and aix 5.3?
19) What is the difference between tsm 5.1 and tsm 5.3?
20) What will you do if the TSM db is full while backup?
21) What is APAR?(Authorized Program Analysis Report)
22) What is threshold?
23) What is migration?
24) What are all the components of TSM?
25) Tell about LVM?
26) How will you create JFS?
27) How will you check the error?
28) What is the AIX model and versions?
29) For what reclamation is done?
30) How will you detect a newly added PV in AIX?
31) What is the command to view PV id?
32) How will you implement TSM?
33) What are all the different installations in AIX?
34) What is progressive backup?
35) What will you do to improve the backup performance when db is full? Space Trigger should
be defined..

1) What is HMC in AIX?

2) What is the purpose of HMC in AIX?
3) How will you recover a corrupted PV in AIX?
4) How will you move data from PV?
5) What is the Boot Sequence in AIX?
6) Types of Backup in Backup in AIX?
7) How and what is the command for the root_vg backup?
8) What is the difference between mksysb and savevg?
9) Tell me about CDP?

AIX

1) What is mean by mount the CD ROM?

2) How will increase the File systems?
3) How will you create the file systems?
4) Which command will use list the paging space?
5) How will increase the paging space?
6) How will you stop the services?
7) How will you start the services?
 8) List the Services?
9) What are the processes are running on AIX box?
10) There are four CPU is running in single system? How will you stop single CPU?
11) How will you find the VG information?
12) There are two maintenance levels, how will you check particular maintenance level
package?
13) How will you find the operating system level?
14) What is mean by Maintenance level?
15) Tell me about Tape library?
16) How will you add new PV in existing VG?
17) What is mean by cfgmgr commands?
18) How will check the installed softwares?
19) How will you upgrade software (eg.JAVA) existing to new?
20) Tell me about
21) How will you mirroring VG?
22) I want mirror particular file systems black? How will you do that?
23) What is mean by lsvg vgname? Any other way to find the vg information?
24) What is mean by mirror S m? Explain both S m?
25) What is difference between JFS and JFS2?
26) How will you find the vg space?
27) How will you calculate the space?
28) How will you remove the paging space?
29) How will you change the paging space?
30) How will you turn on and turn off paging space?
31) What is mean by lscfg? Explain it?
32) I want to remove the particular tape? How will you do that?
33) I want to kill particular process? Tell me about -9?
34) How will you backup the rootvg?
35) Which command will use to restart the system? What is mean by F?
36) How will you install the software?
37) How will you check the installed software?
38) Which command will use the removing PV?
39) I want to vary off particular VG?
40) What is mean by lsdev? Explain lsdev C & lsdev P?
41) Tell me your AIX model? Explain?
42) How many aix box you are using?
43) How will you assign automation?
44) How will you check performance monitoring?
45) What is mean by network installation?
46) How will you install the fresh OS in network installation?
47) How will you find the installed software versions?
48) Day to day activities?
49) What are the types of VGs?
50) Tell me about BIG VG?
51) How will check the Run level?
52) How will you identify the print queue?
53) How will you delete particular print job?
54) What is difference between V5.3 & V5.3L?
TSM

1) What is difference between V5.2 & V5.3?

2) What is main advantage of V5.3?
3) How will you configure the DS 4200?
4) You are implementing DS 4200 what are the input you will get from Customer?
5) Tell me brief explanation about your Disk storage?
6) What is mean by device drive?
7) How will you define device drive?
8) Tell me about Tape Library?
9) What is mean by LAN free backup?
10) How will you stop & start the TSM server?
11) Tell about TSM path in AIX?
12) How will you take the DB backup?
13) Tell me about TDP?
14) Schedules not run? What is the reason?
15) How will define scheduling? Explain?
16) How will you associate node? Explain?
17) How will you start the server?
18) What is mean by dsmadmc?
19) Where will you define the schedule?
20) Define Tape Library?
21) The data not backup? Tell me brief explanation?