--- "Baker, Mike L." <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I just found out that we may need to actually do a dry run of our
> disaster recovery plan, where we would go to another site on a blank
> HP3000 with our slt and dlt tapes of the backup and make the system
> work.
>
> Any words of wisdom from people who have actually had to do this as
> to what would be the steps to make something like this happen?

i sure don't like the sounds of these two statement taken together.
you *do* have a written dr plan, right??

> I realize there is lots and lots involved in this process.

that's putting it mildly....

> Just wanted
> to query the folks who have done this before, do they have a 12 step
> document, bla bla bla, whatever, something that I can at least start
> from square zero from.  Stuff like what do I need to get from my hp
> now that it is working fine, etc.. and how would I take that to a
> blank hp at a hot site and start over.

dr for a company is not really something that can be wholly viewed in
individual silos -- like it takes 'xyx' to get this machine running and
'abc' for this maching.  true, those aspects are important but they're
only small pieces of the larger puzzle.

the thing that we found was the *key* to having a successful dr is
*infrastructure*.  think about it -- without a network in place almost
everything else is moot.

prioritizing applications/servers is also critical.  you can probably
get along without your data warehouse...but boy oh boy, you better have
your financials up and running real quick like.  also -- can some
'functions' occur without computers?  can a portion of payroll be met
out of (petty?) cash, for example?

yes....disaster recovery is a big big deal and not something that
should be...
> just...this dropped in my lap this morning.

> Our parent company is supported by
> IGS, and it sounds like they want us to actually get the hp
> environment running at the hot site,

silly question...but the dr company -- they do actually have
*appropriate* 3000 equipment, right?  for some companies (and you
probably know who you are...) you may seriously want to consider
purchasing 2nd systems for dr.  as time goes on, it's going to be
harder and harder to find dr companies that will be able to provide mpe
boxes...let alone have the correct peripherals.  with hw prices being
the way that they are, this may be very atractive financially!

another bit of fun is -- working out licensing arrangements with your
3rd party software vendors.  i suspect many of them will be easy to
work with (can you say 'no $$$?' :-)  i also suspect a few of them
won't...

you mentioned dlt's....you'd be suprised how many of the dr companies
have no dlt's for your 3000.  "gee, don't all 3000s backup to dds1...?"
(ugh)

> I think what they are talking is
> the actual structure of the users, groups, and accounts, and all the
> software subsystems setup the same so it is basically ready to rock
> and roll.

i'll *strongly* recommend getting and *using* my sysconf job.
<http://invent3k.external.hp.com/~MGR.GARVERIC/>

our going thru dr prep is exactly why i wrote this job!  do be sure to
also pickup one of the 'mailit' or the 'ftpit' jobs.  collecting all
this wonderful documentation will do you NO GOOD when it's sitting on
the box and the box is down!

you may also want to get the 'how to install' document.  one of the
glories of mpe is that system managers infrequently have to do os
installs.  one of the curses of mpe is that system managers
infrequently have to do os installs!

> Thanks in advance for any help.  Not sure when we would actually need
> to go to new york and do this, but I figure it can't hurt to actually
> start gathering information now so it at least looks like I know what
> I am doing.

i think with the number of people planning on homesteading, this is an
appropriate discussion.  in my mind, if you're homesteading you're
going to be doing dr on a near day-to-day basis.  if you aren't
prepared ahead of time, if you haven't made plans....you truely are
going to have a disaster on your hands.              - d

=====
Donna Garverick     Sr. System Programmer
dgarverick -at- longs -dot- com
925-210-6631        Longs Drug Stores

Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are.
"Ulysses", A. Tennyson

>>>MY opinions, not Longs Drug Stores'<<<



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