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Performing System Backup and Recovery for a QFabric System

 

Many routers and switches require an administrator to recover the software package and the configuration file for the device separately. In the case of a device failure, this means the administrator might need to perform two separate tasks (if neither the software package nor the configuration file can be recovered).

In contrast, the QFabric system uses a unique mechanism that saves the backup and recovery files for both the Junos OS software and the system configuration into a single collection. The following QFabric system backup and recovery mechanism simplifies and streamlines the recovery process so you can return to normal operations as quickly as possible.

To backup and recover your QFabric system:

  1. (First time only) Implement the following one-time procedure to prepare your QFabric system to use the system backup and recovery feature:

    • Insert a Juniper Networks software installation USB flash drive into the master Director device. (This drive was provided to you as one of the components of your QFabric system shipment.)

    • Issue the request system software format-qfabric-backup command. The contents and format of the USB flash drive are copied to the Director group shared directory and are used as the basis for all future backup and recovery operations.

      user@qfabric> request system software format-qfabric-backup

    • Remove the Juniper Networks software installation USB drive from the master Director device.

  2. Issue the request system software system-backup command to backup the software package and configuration file. This command saves the current files necessary to recover the QFabric system. The files are saved to a shared memory directory in the Director group.

    Note

    As you upgrade your system with new software and change the system configuration over time, remember to reissue this command periodically to save the newest files for recovery purposes.

    user@qfabric> request system software system-backup

  3. Insert a 4 GB or larger USB flash drive into the master Director device for your Director group, and issue the request system software system-backup usb-create command. This command copies the recovery files that have been backed up in the Director group and transfers them to the USB flash drive to create a recovery USB drive.

    Note

    Issuing this command overwrites the contents of the USB flash drive with the QFabric system recovery files.

    user@qfabric> request system software system-backup usb-create /dev/sdb

  4. Remove the recovery USB drive from the Director device, and store it securely in a known location that you will remember when you need to use the recovery USB drive.

  5. If the QFabric system fails, power off the Director group, insert the recovery USB drive into the master Director device of your Director group, turn on power to the Director device, and follow the prompts to recover your system. This step restores the software package and the configuration file for your QFabric system.

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