User Guide

24 Storage Management Services Administration Guide
Storage Management Services Administration Guide
103-000134-001
August 29, 2001
Novell Confidential
Manual 99a38 July 17, 2001
Distributed Database
The network of servers that comprise an eDirectory tree structure continually
exchange updates and other time-sensitive information. The eDirectory
database exists as a set of files that are stored in the SYS: volume and are
hidden so they are not accidentally tampered with or deleted.
The eDirectory database files cannot be backed up, as was the case with
bindery files in NetWare 3.12 or earlier versions.
Server Interdependence
eDirectory is not server-centric, and neither are its backup and restore
processes. Backing up eDirectory, for example, backs up data that is spread
out over multiple servers. SMS Directory database backups gather all the
necessary eDirectory data.
To handle the necessary links and dependencies between objects, the backup
and restore system must be able to navigate the entire eDirectory tree
structure.
Object ID Numbers
In NetWare, a random ID number is assigned when an object is created.
NetWare uses object ID numbers to keep track of information such as users'
trustee rights to directories and files in the file system. These object ID
numbers are stored in the directory entry table (DET) of each file and directory
and are server-centric.
When NetWare is backed up, SMS-compatible products store the objects' fully
distinguished names on the backup media, not the objects' ID numbers. If an
object with the same distinguished name as on the backup media already exists
in the eDirectory tree structure, its object ID is not overwritten during a
restore. If an object with the same name does not already exist in the
eDirectory tree structure, it is assigned a new object ID when it is restored.
This occurs on every server where the object is used.
Schema Backup
The schema is backed up automatically with a full eDirectory backup. You can
also choose to back up the schema separately using a custom eDirectory
backup.