[Ham-Linux] System backup methods

20 Jul 2003 10:50:14 -0500

Under linux there really is no point in doing total system backups
unless you've got a really non-standard installation that'd be dificult
to rebuild.  Most people are using standard distributions. 

Most of the time, you can just cron a script to tar the /home directory
and any configuration files you want from /etc.  Also don't forget your
/var/spool/mail and crontab entries.  If you want to preserve all your
username/passwords then make sure and save /etc/passwd /etc/shadow 
/etc/group etc.  If you've got a lot of tarball software installed in
/usr/local/ you may want to back that directory up there too. Don't
forget webserver and mysql data if you've got that too.

The idea is that in the rare event of a total system disaster, you'll be
able to reinstall a standard distribution then re-load all the user
accounts, complete with data.  Because I use a package manager, it's
also very important to keep a list of all the packages you have
installed.  Under redhat, rpm -qa produces a list of all installed
packages.  Keep a recent list with your backups so you'll know what
oddball rpm's you'll need to fetch.

73 de kc5cqm
Michael

On Sat, 2003-07-19 at 18:00, [email protected] wrote:
> I would appreciate hearing what methods people use to backup their
> systems.
> 
> cheers, Paul - VA7NT ex VE7CQK - email: [email protected]
> "Those who hear not the music. . . think the dancers mad."
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-- 
michael s williamson <[email protected]>