-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On Monday 14 October 2002 12:37, you wrote: > Hi, > > What would be the way to backup an entire system ? > > I have a server which I need too backup, a complete > backup setups, *-conf, data, everything and then to > easily rebuild the entire server back from scratch. > > Would it be enough to copy the entire file system on > to DVDs, Tape etc. and then reinstall Linux and copy > the entire file system back in or do I need a tool > like "Ghost" ?
You don't ** have ** to have a software like ghost to do it. As long as you keep symbolic links symbolic, device files as device files and the permissions then you can copy the entire system to a new disk and that disk will be able to function as an operating system. A few issues: 0. When trying to revive a system from backup you will have to rerun your lilo (if you are using lilo). If you are using grub then you are better off since if the path to your kernel didn't change you will still be able to boot using the old MBR. When using lilo you will *** HAVE *** to rerun lilo (the lilo MBR contains absolute location (in terms of disk physical attributes) of the kernel which has probably changed....). 1. There is no need to backup the system itself over and over. If you define a strict policy of separation between the program/data that you install/collect and the system installed programs/data then you can only backup your data (will save a lot of useless backup space). Also keeping all RPMS/.debs that you upgraded on the side is a good practice. 2. There are many backup packages for linux out there. Pick one. I like amanda because it(she ?!?) sends nice emails...:). Most of these know how to preserve all relevant file system information. If you are using more modern file systems with extra info (like access control lists etc...) then pick a backup software that knows how to handle those. These issues are more tricky and you'll have to check for every feature seperately. I advise you not to use those features unless you really need those since backup software support for those is still in the making in some backup packages. Cheers, Mark > > Erez > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More > http://faith.yahoo.com > > ================================================================= > To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with > the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command > echo unsubscribe | mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.0.6 (GNU/Linux) Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org iD8DBQE9qqdGxlxDIcceXTgRAoH3AJ96y8t/D704Ql/Tt6D4wBoep0Jp+QCaA4FL Lrkm/2YTCa6WnpSsLgcNvl4= =J1Wj -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- ================================================================= To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command echo unsubscribe | mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]