Re: Backing up a Linux system
How would I go about reinstalling the packages in the
event of disaster? What if my packages are a combination of slink,
potato, etc.? -chris
On Thu, 3 Aug 2000 kmself@ix.netcom.com wrote:
> On Wed, Aug 02, 2000 at 05:28:14PM +0100, bsamuels@datamansys.co.uk wrote:
> > Debian Potato (Frozen) with Slink KDE.
> >
> > I want to be able to backup my linux system to scsi tape (nst0)
> > such that, if my hard drive falls into little pieces one bright
> > sunny day, I can boot from a rescue floppy and restore the lot
> > onto a new drive without having to re-install anything.
> >
> > I plan to use afio for the backup in conjunction with the
> > Tomsrtbt rescue floppy (an amazing piece of work).
>
> afio is a good choice. I use tar. It's prevelant, though slightly less
> robust.
>
> > Most parts of the system are straightforward and I could include
> > mount point directories, such as /cdrom, as long as there is
> > nothing actually mounted then they would, at least, be
> > automatically re-created.
>
>
> However, if you do have something mounted beneath a mount point it
> generally *will* be backed up. You'll end up with a rather redundant
> copy of that CDROM you left in the drive last night.
>
> > I wouldn't need to backup /tmp.
>
> > What about /dev? Could the device files be backed up without
> > backing up the contents of the said devices? I did see once that
> > Midnight Commander could copy a complete linux system onto
> > another partition so I assume that backing up the /dev directory
> > could be done.
>
> GNU tar handles /dev files properly, though strictly you don't need to
> back this up. See below.
>
> > I'm assuming that the contents of /proc, including any
> > sub-directories, are generated each time at startup and all that
> > would need to be done would be to re-create the actual directory.
>
> In general, you don't *need* to back up anything that's a standard part
> of the system. This would include:
>
> System directories: /bin /sbin /dev /lib /usr /initrd
>
> Each of these contains *only* files added by the distribution, and
> for which your backups can't necessarily be trusted to restore to
> proper state. An OS reinstall is appropriate (and buys you an
> upgrade, if desired). The information will be correctly created.
> Generally, you don't need to back up these trees.
>
>
> Temporary fils: /tmp
>
> This is flushed by the system on each reboot anyway (watch your
> boot messages). Backups unnecessary.
>
>
> Secondary mount points: /mnt /net
>
> YMMV, but you generally won't want to back up arbitrary remote
> filesystems, and frequently don't need to back up removable devices
> (floppy, cdrom, zip, jaz, mo) mounted under /mnt or another mount
> point. Backups probably irrellevant.
>
>
> Virtual FS and recovery: /proc /lost+found
>
> /proc is a virtual filesystem. It doesn't actually "exist" in a
> sense of storage, it's an interface to kernel-space data and state.
> It isn't "created" at boot, it's probably more accurate to say that
> information under /proc is made available on demand. /lost+found is
> where lost clusters are placed by e2fsck. Generally you're not
> interested in these (though YMMV). Backup unnecessary and possibly
> impossible.
>
>
> Stray links: /opt
>
> If you've implemented /opt as a link to /usr/local, you don't need
> to back it up seperately. If you've created a seperate filesystem,
> ask yourself why, move everything in it to /usr/local, create an
> appropriate link, and remove /opt from your backup schedule. Backup
> a sign of poor FS layout (IMVAO).
>
>
> Persistant system state: /var
>
> There are parts of /var you'll want to keep, much of it you can
> discard. See the example below for more guidance. Note that you
> *will* want to save anything relating to your packaging system
> (there are apt and dpkg trees under /var), duplicates of system
> files under /var/backups, system logs, and possibly web space.
> There are arguments on both sides of archiving spools (print, mail,
> news, squid, fax, etc.). I choose not to. Backups on a selected
> basis.
>
>
> Stuff you *REALLY* want to save: /etc /root /usr/local /home
>
> This is the non-distribution, non-remote, non-volatile, valuable
> part of your system. Hard-won configurations, local apps and
> data, and user space. Backups mandetory. Early and often.
> Validate your backups.
>
>
> My own system backup script follows. This is for an aging single-user
> Linux box, and is run typically every few days. Fits well on a single
> 2.0 GB SCSI DAT-90 DDS tape, with 1 2.4 GB and 2x 2.1 GB disks.
>
> -------------------- <begin system-backup> --------------------
> #!/bin/bash
>
> # Create backups of /etc, /home, /usr/local, and...
>
> mt rewind
> tar cvf /dev/nst0 /etc
> tar cvf /dev/nst0 /root
> tar cvf /dev/nst0 /home
> tar cvf /dev/nst0 /usr/local
>
> # and selected /var directories
> tar cvf /dev/nst0 /var/backups
> tar cvf /dev/nst0 /var/cache/apt
> tar cvf /dev/nst0 /var/lib
> tar cvf /dev/nst0 /var/log
> tar cvf /dev/nst0 /var/www
> -------------------- <end system-backup> --------------------
>
> --
> Karsten M. Self <kmself@ix.netcom.com> http://www.netcom.com/~kmself
> Evangelist, Opensales, Inc. http://www.opensales.org
> What part of "Gestalt" don't you understand? Debian GNU/Linux rocks!
> http://gestalt-system.sourceforge.net/ K5: http://www.kuro5hin.org
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>
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