Connect:Direct Sudo Backup/Restore

We install C:D via cdinstall as a user account currently working with C:D for UNIX 4.2.

This user account has sudo access to run etc/cdcust so we can perform configurations requiring root privilege. This is great for fresh install and ok for upgrade operations (presuming not backup or restore is needed).

However, during upgrade, again installing as a user account, we are prompted to perform a backup:

"Would you like to back up your existing Connect:Direct for UNIX installation before proceeding with the upgrade? (you will need the root password to do this):[Y/n]"

As the C:D admins, we are no longer allowed direct root access on the new systems we are migrating to.and I note that the cdinstall script does an 'su root' to run the backup commands.

I inquired if there is a way to perform a backup via sudo without actually installing/upgrading as root via the noted PMR ID. It was noted in the IBM response that "[as it] stands today, we have to manually enter the root password. Our script has no other option."

Joe noted that I could open an RFE which is the impetus for this ticket.

As I also note in the PMR, whatever solution is provided should support restore via sudo as well.


I could see the cdinstall script being enhanced to provide a standalone backup/restore option such that the cdinstall script could be invoked via sudo without performing an actual install/upgrade but simply allowing the user to choose to perform a manual backup or restore. After a backup, the cdinstall script could be re-invoked by the user without sudo to perform an upgrade bypassing the internal/implicit backup.

Another option would be to externalize the backup/restore process/procedure into a standalone script of which one could run with sudo akin to etc/cdcust .

I appreciate any and all consideration to this feature request to allow a way to perform a sudo backup/restore.

Thanks,
-Brendan