FMS 5.5 W2K - Start & Stop via Automated Task

[Jim Mitchell]

Have searched the archives for this topic, but came up relatively empty, so...

I've recently been forced to move our FMS 5.5 from OS X to Win 2003 Std Server. The IS Ops guys "strongly insist" that all servers in the organization get a reboot via automated task on Sunday mornings around 1:00 AM.

I have created two automated tasks which stops FMS (FMSERVER STOP) a half hour before the reboot, & starts it again (FMSERVER START) a half hour after the reboot.

I'm not really a Windows guy, so the question is: Is this the appropriate way to handle having to deal with the reboot requirement? Or should I add a task that closes the files before the stop? Or, should it be approached differently altogether?

[Wim Decorte]

Definitely add a routine to close the files first. Actually for best results the whole routine should be tied together:

- routine starts by getting a list of all hosted files

- closes each one in turn and waits for confirmation by the event log

- when all files are closed properly, reboot the machine

- enough error handling in the routine to stop the reboot from happening when something is not going as expected.

The IS guy should be able to put together a routine to do this.

[Jim Mitchell]

Glad I asked. Thanks Wim, as always...

[brimfulof]

Hi, I wonder if you could help me with a related problem. I am running FMS5.5 and Retrospect Backup on a Win2003 server. Every night the backup log of Retrospect shows that the FM databases haven't been backed up, presumably becuase they are still running. I need to know how I can close each file before the backup and then restart them before anyone gets in in the morning. I presume this will involve creating a routine, but I have no idea how to do this.

I'm sorry if this is a really basic question, but my understanding of FM and scripting is as basic as the question.

Thanks

[Wim Decorte]

The easiest solution is to exclude the FM files from the Retrospect schedule. (You should do it in any way, you risk corrupting your files if you don't).

Schedule a backup in FMS say half an hour before the Retrospect kicks in, and make sure retrospect includes the backup location (but not the live location).

[brimfulof]

Thanks very much for the quick response, Wim. That's a great idea.