Agent for Linux Version 5.01.1820 Release Notes - May 4th, 2005 _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== Contents 1 Overview 1.1 Release History and Changes 2 Features 3 Fixes 4 Known Issues 5 Installation Notes 5.1 Installation Requirements 5.2 Installation Files 5.3 Install/Uninstall Procedure 5.4 Configuration 6 Product Support 6.1 Technical Support 6.2 Product Updates 6.3 Documentation 7 Legal Information _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 1 OVERVIEW This document contains release notes for the latest release of the Agent for Linux - kernel version 2.4 or 2.6 with one of: /usr/lib/libstdc++.so.5 (libstdc++ 3.2.2 or greater) /usr/lib/libstdc++-lib6.2-2.so3 This Agent has been tested on the following distributions: Red Hat Linux 7.1 / 7.3 / 8 / 9 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES 2.1 / 3.1 SUSE Linux 9.1 Professional The Agent software kit consists of two programs, "VV" and "VVAgent". VVAgent is the agent daemon, while VV is a command line program used to perform such tasks as backup, restore, synch and other requests. --------------------------------------------------------------- 1.1 Release History and Changes for Agent version 5.00 November 30th, 2004 - First release for version 5.00.1651 May 4th, 2005 - Second release (patch) for version 5.01.1820 _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 2 FEATURES 2.1 Improved reliability of agent-vault data communication. This release contains numerous enhancements with respect to data communication between the agent and the vault (such as defects relating to CRC, FID and reconnection errors). --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.2 Backup options can now be configured for different compression schemes: None, Minimum, Normal, Better, or Maximum. These choices allow the user to optimize the volume of data sent against the speed of transmission. _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 3 FIXES DTS#3207 Task fails when filename path is greater than 512 characters. This has been changed in this release so that the task will not fail but a warning will be placed in the log about the offending long filename path. _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 4 KNOWN ISSUES 4.1 For a backup or restore task on an NFS system to succeed you need to have proper permissions to read, write, and create files and directories on the mounted Network File System. This includes the remote system allowing operations for an anonymous user. A good test is to try it from the command line first. If you cannot read/write/create files and directories on NFS manually, then the Agent backup and restore will also not work. This issue applies to all Linux platforms. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.2 If you are upgrading to 5.x and the upgrade is not successful, the install process will roll everything back to the pre-install state. However, the Agent does not automatically start up again. You can start it manually. In the event of an upgrade failure, the log file will be found under a directory called: .UpgradeFailure. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.3 Linux systems may be configured with strong firewall (iptables) settings that by default block communication between the Agent and the Agent console. By default, the Agent runs on port 808, so IP tables would need to be opened with a rule similar to: iptables --append -p tcp -m tcp \ --dport 808 --syn -j --ACCEPT This can be made permanent by editing /etc/sysconfig/iptables. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.4 Certain filesystems and directories cannot be restored to their original locations. These include the /dev (device) directory (including the devpts filesystem at /dev/pts), /boot directory, /var/run directory, and the proc filesystem (usually at /proc). In Linux kernel version 2.6, there is now the sysfs filesystem to represent the system hardware devices and drivers (usually at /sys). This cannot be restored to its original location, either. The Linux Agent only protects these locations under their default names. These files must be restored to an alternative location and replaced manually if necessary, as automatic replacement may leave the operating system in an unusable state. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.5 Agent console access to systems using SuSE Linux 9.1 may experience noticeable (approximately 2 minute) delays for task- related operations, including ad hoc backups, restores, and task editing. These delays occur under the following conditions: * A tape drive is attached to the SuSE Linux 9.1 system. * The tape drive has no media loaded. * A task-related operation is initiated from the Agent Console. During the delay, the Agent attempts to enumerate tape devices. SuSE Linux 9.1 does not properly respond to the request if the tape device is unloaded. This delay is independent of the type of restore or backup desired. As no media can be found in the device, the Agent console will not be able to display the tape drives for restore or backup purposes. To avoid this delay, ensure that media is loaded into the drive before initiating a restore or ad hoc backup. This delay does not affect anything except the display of task-related operations; backups and restores will continue normally after this delay. In addition to the delay, an error message will be reported to the VVAgent.LOG multiple times: TAPE-E-0006 Error opening handle to tape. It may be in use by another process. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.6 The Linux kernels available from RedHat for RedHat 8 (2.4.18-14, 2.4.18-27, and 2.4.20-28) exhibit various problems with tape drives. Backups to vault or directory on disk are unaffected by problems in these kernels. No fixes or workarounds are available from RedHat at the time of the Agent release. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.7 When restoring Linux system files, the boot loader should be reconfigured to find the restored operating system files in their current positions on the hard drive. When using GNU GRUB (http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/), follow the instructions from the GRUB user manual for installing GRUB natively: http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/grub.html#Installation For other boot loaders, refer to the manual provided by the vendor. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.8 After upgrading the Linux agent from versions 3.30, 4.00, 4.10, 4.5, to 5.0 the DTX files are deleted. WORKAROUND: Run another backup of that task and then the DTX files will be recreated. A warning will be sent to the backup log about the missing DTX file. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.9 DTS#4089 Restoring to an alternate location will fail where the alternate location pathname and(+) the original pathname results in a very long pathname (greater than 512 characters). Recommendation: Restore to original location. _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 5 INSTALLATION NOTES 5.1 Installation Requirements The installation requirements for the Agent program are as follows: Hardware * CPU - A 32-bit x86 or compatible processor (Pentium 200 or faster recommended) * RAM - 256MB recommended * Note: If your operating system suggests different minimum hardware requirements, employ whichever is greater. Software * Director version 4.30, 5.00, or greater * Agent Console version 5.00 or greater * Network - A TCP/IP stack (to communicate with Agent systems) * Linux kernel version 2.4 or 2.6 * One of: * /usr/lib/libstdc++.so.5 (libstdc++ 3.2.2 or greater) * /usr/lib/libstdc++-lib6.2-2.so.3 The following distributions have been tested, and are known to work with the Agent for Linux: * OS - Red Hat Linux 7/8/9 - Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 or 3 - SUSE Linux 9.1 --------------------------------------------------------------- 5.2 Installation Files (Agent-Linux-5-01.tar.gz) (Your service provider may have renamed this file.) This Agent installation kit contains the following files: * encmsg.txt * Global.vvc * install.sh * license.txt * Schedule.cfg * uninstall.sh * Linux-stdc++v3/VV * Linux-stdc++v3/VVAgent * Linux-stdc++v3/Cupgrd240 * Linux-no-stdc++v3/VV * Linux-no-stdc++v3/VVAgent * Linux-no-stdc++v3/Cupgrd240 * AgentLinux.txt (this document) The files in Linux-stdc++v3 are for systems with valid /usr/lib/libstdc++.so.5 installations; the files in Linux-no-stdc++v3 are for systems with valid /usr/lib/libstdc++-libc6.2-2.so.3 installations. --------------------------------------------------------------- 5.3 Install/Uninstall Procedure All our products have installation guides. The guides are located at the appropriate vendor support site. --------------------------------------------------------------- 5.4 Configuration Each machine to be backed up must have the Agent software installed and subsequently configured with CentralControl. See the CentralControl User's Guide for detailed information. The guides are located at the appropriate vendor support site. _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 6 PRODUCT SUPPORT 6.1 Technical Support Complete contact information for your provider is available under the Help Support menu. --------------------------------------------------------------- 6.2 Product Updates Product updates are available from your provider's web site. --------------------------------------------------------------- 6.3 Documentation The documentation available for the Agent is as follows: Unix Agent Guide CentralControl Guide AgentLinux.txt Release Notes (this document) All documentation is located at the appropriate vendor support site. _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 7 LEGAL INFORMATION Software License Agreement - Agent Software This legal document is an agreement between you, the end user, and the licensor (herein referred to as "licensor"). BY INSTALLING THIS AGENT SOFTWARE PRODUCT, YOU ARE CONSENTING TO BE BOUND BY THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, UNINSTALL THIS PRODUCT AND RETURN IT TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND. AGENT FOR LINUX SOFTWARE LICENSE 1. GRANT OF LICENSE. In consideration of your payment of the license price to an authorized Dealer, as Licensor, grants to you, the Licensee, a non-exclusive right to use and display this copy of the Agent software program (hereinafter the "Software") on specific computer(s) at your location(s). The licensor reserves all rights not expressly granted to Licensee. If you have not paid a license fee for the Software, then the licensor grants to you the right to use the Software ONLY for evaluation or educational purposes. This latter grant specifically excludes production use of the Software. 2. OWNERSHIP OF SOFTWARE. As the Licensee, you own the magnetic or other physical media on which the software is originally or subsequently recorded or fixed, but the licensor retains title and ownership of the Software recorded on the original media and all subsequent copies of the Software, regardless of the form or media in or on which the original and other copies may exist. This license is not a sale of the original Software or any copy. 3. COPY RESTRICTION. This Software and the accompanying written materials are copyrighted. Unauthorized copying of the Software, including Software that has been modified, merged, or included with other software, or of the written materials is expressly forbidden. You may be held legally responsible for any copyright infringement that is caused or encouraged by your failure to abide by the terms of this license. 4. USE RESTRICTIONS. You may not modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or create derivative works based on the Software. You may not modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works based on the written materials without the prior consent of the licensor. 5. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. This Software is licensed only to you, the Licensee, and may not be transferred to anyone without prior written consent of the licensor. Any authorized transferee of the Software shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this agreement. In no event may you transfer, assign, rent, lease, sell, or otherwise dispose of the Software on a temporary or permanent basis as expressly provided herein. 6. TERMINATION. This license is effective until terminated. This license will terminate automatically without notice from the licensor if you fail to comply with any provision of this license. Upon termination you shall destroy the written materials and all copies of the Software, including modified copies, if any, and certify in writing that all copies have been destroyed. 7. WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE. The licensor warrants the Software to perform substantially in accordance with the User Documentation, as amended from time to time, and will maintain, modify, repair or replace the Software during the ninety (90) day warranty period, at no additional cost to the Licensee. The licensor does not warrant that the use of the Software will be uninterrupted or error free. The licensor will provide Support Services to customers that have paid the qualifying support fee. The Support Services include product maintenance and shall entitle the customer to; telephone support for troubleshooting, user guidance, and problem corrections and all product fixes and new minor releases via a World Wide Web site. 8. INDEMNIFICATION. Licensor will defend at its own expense any action against Licensee brought by a third party to the extent that the action is based upon a claim that the Licensed Software infringes any U.S. copyrights or misappropriates any trade secrets recognized as such under the Uniform Trade Secret law, and Licensor will pay those costs and damages finally awarded against Licensee in any such action that are specifically attributable to such claim or those costs and damages agreed to in a monetary settlement of such action. The foregoing obligations are conditioned on Licensee notifying Licensor promptly in writing of such action, Licensee giving Licensor sole control of the defense thereof and any related settlement negotiations, and Licensee cooperating and, at Licensor's request and expense, assisting in such defense. 9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Subject to paragraph 8, the licensor, nor any authorized Vault Service Provider of the Software, will not be liable for any damages including any loss of data, profits or savings, claims against Licensee by any other party or any other incidental or consequential damages arising out of Licensee's use of, or inability to use the software, even if the licensor (or such Dealer) is advised of the possibility of such damage. Subject to paragraph 8 above, the Licensee agrees that the licensor's (or such Dealer's) liability under this License shall not exceed the License fees paid by the Licensee for the software licensed hereunder. 10. MISCELLANEOUS. This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and venue in any suit arising hereunder shall be Wilmington, Delaware USA. Should you have any questions regarding this Agreement, please contact us in writing at the address shown in your software license agreement. _______________________________________________________________ ===============================================================