Dell NetWorker 19.9 Administration Guide

Creating a custom backup script

Create a script that runs the save program as part of its instructions to customize behavior of scheduled backups of a client. When NetWorker performs a back up of the client, NetWorker runs the customized program for each save set instead of the standard save program.

1. Use a text editor to create a script in the networker_installation_dir\bin directory on Windows clients or the networker_installation_dir/bin on LINUX or UNIX clients.

   The script file must meet the following requirements:

   • The name starts with save or nsr.
   • The name contains a maximum of 64 characters.
   • For Windows, the script file must end with a .bat extension.
   • For UNIX, the script file must have executable file permissions.

   For example, script file names that meet these criteria include save_custom_script.bat and nsr_backup_script.bat for windows, and save_custom_script.sh and nsr_backup_script.sh for Linux and UNIX.

2. Add commands to the script in the following order:
   1. Declare all required environment variables, for example the PATH variable.
   2. (Optional) Run a preprocessing command before each save set backup.

   3. (Required) Back up the data by using the NetWorker save command. Always specify the full path of the save command in the script.

      On UNIX and Linux hosts, run the NetWorker save command with the arguments save “$@” to enable the save command to accept the arguments that the NetWorker savefs program would run during a regular backup.

   4. (Optional) Run a postprocessing command after each save set backup.

   NOTE:All commands within the script must complete successfully. Otherwise, the NetWorker server cannot complete the remaining instructions.
3. Save and close the script file.
4. Specify the name of the backup script in the Backup command attribute for the Client resource:
   1. In the Administration window, click Protection.
   2. In the expanded left pane, select Clients.
   3. Right-click the Client resource, and select Modify Client Properties.
      The Client Properties dialog box appears, starting with the General tab.
   4. Select the Apps & Modules tab.
   5. Type the name of the backup script in the Backup command box.
   6. Click OK.
5. Back up the client to ensure that the new backup command works.