We have a stand-alone Sysback backup tape of our NIM server. For recovery,
it takes over 90 minutes to boot from the tape.

The server is a Power 5 7028-6C4 running in full partition mode. The tape
drive is an HP LTO1 drive.

After booting in SMS mode, selecting the tape drive as the boot device and
getting the "Loading Software, Please Wait" screen, it takes about 90
minutes until we see the screen that indicates that the AIX kernel is
loading. During that time the initializtion status shows E141 for 50 or 60
minutes and then E142 for another 20 or 30 minutes.

During this period, we have not observed any activity on the tape drive.

Eventually the recovery completes successfully.

We have experiinced the problem on simialar servers, but in LPAR mode.

Is this normal? If not what is the problem and what can we do to speed up
the boot process?

VinceM wrote:

> We have a stand-alone Sysback backup tape of our NIM server. For
> recovery, it takes over 90 minutes to boot from the tape.
>
> The server is a Power 5 7028-6C4 running in full partition mode. The
> tape drive is an HP LTO1 drive.

It's a Power4 630.

> After booting in SMS mode, selecting the tape drive as the boot device
> and getting the "Loading Software, Please Wait" screen, it takes about
> 90 minutes until we see the screen that indicates that the AIX kernel
> is
> loading. During that time the initializtion status shows E141 for 50
> or 60 minutes and then E142 for another 20 or 30 minutes.

Firmware checkpoints E141 and E142 are only defined on Power Blades.
There seems to be something wrong with your setup.
Are your really using the Tivoli Sysback?
Try the normal mksysb if it speeds up the process, otherwise get in
contact with IBM.

--
Michael Prix
I'm waiting for tech support to call me back. I'm also waiting for the
second coming of Jesus. Wanna take bets on which happens first?
-- Stuart Lamble <sjl@debtemp.lib.monash.edu.au>