Unity Express

[chris.damore]

Does anyone know of a way to automate Unity Express back-ups?

Thanks,

Chris

[Brandon Buffin]

One option is to use device management software such as Kiwi CatTools. See the link below. This will allow you to schedule commands to be entered on a device on a scheduled basis. This would allow you schedule the backup commands to be run on certain days/times. Please see the link below for details on backing up CUE from the command line.

http://www.kiwisyslog.com/cattools2.htm

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/voicesw/ps5520/products_administration_guide_chapter09186a00803ef720.html

Hope this helps. If so, please rate the post.

Brandon

[chris.damore]

Brandon,

Have you used this method to automate the backups before?

Thank you very much!

Chris

[Brandon Buffin]

Chris,

I've used Kiwi CatTools for some time to automate the backup of the configuration of routers, switches, etc. I have recently deployed our first CUE and have not had a chance to setup CatTools to perform the backup. It's on my list of things to do. The concept is the same as backing up the running config. CatTools will log in to the device and run a couple of commands.

Brandon

[Markus Schneider]

Another option would be to use an expect script. If you have a linux box somewhere on the network you can pretty easily script the interaction required for thte backup procedure and then launch it via cron.

[rlaplante]

I have also used KiwiEnt CatTools for some time now. I am also working on the script to use for it (today as a matter of fact) I will post the script when I have it working.

[rlaplante]

Ok here is the skinny. At this time KiwiEnt CatTools ver 2.20 or 3.0 does not handle the session command and or direct telnet to the CME to issue the backup cli. Both the session and direct telnet do not behave as a standard router. It does not return the expected charaters to initiate script for CatTools. They have it on the list of things to do.

[xiaojun]

I tried to use the KiwiEnt CatTools ver 2.20 to backup the CUE. But the script doesn't work. The script cannnot access the CUE cli through CME. Anybody have some good suggestion? thanks.

[Markus Schneider]

If you have a machine that supports Expect (http://expect.nist.gov/) it's pretty easy to automate and schedule. I use a Mac (unix-based) and can use Expect and cron. (The autoexpect portion can also be used to do a quick automation script). I've just never tried a windows version of expect.