ADSM cannot directly read data on raw partitions. If you are trying to
back up databases, you should be using the database's backup utilities
which in many cases are updated to support the ADSM API, and hence
can send their backup data directly to ADSM.

If you have a database or other application that isn't updated for the
ADSM api, there is an unsupported utility, ADSMPIPE, which reads raw
devices and uses the adsm api to send the data to ADSM.  This utility
should only be used if no better alternative exists.

What application are you trying to back up and I'll let you know what your
alternatives are?
Thanks,
Cyndie Behrens
IBM - ITSO San Jose
cbehrens AT vnet.ibm DOT com
408-927-3627