Postfix was a typo... it was meant to read postgres.

I understand that the database information in the dump image will not be
correct and will provide inconsistancies. However, my aim is to create
an inital filesystem dump of the OS and installed software before I
start regular weekly backups using the appropriate tools to backup the
databases (mysqldump and pg_dumpall). My question was more to confirm
that the database information will not be damaged or altered on the
filesystem itself and that I can run the dump while the databases are
still running.

-CM

----- Original Message -----
From: "Benjamin Lewis" <bhlewis AT pythia.itsp.purdue DOT edu>
To: "Chad Morland" <chad.morland AT inquent DOT com>
Cc: <Amanda-users AT amanda DOT org>; <bhlewis AT pythia.itsp.purdue DOT edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 3:11 PM
Subject: Re: Using dump on running databases


> > I was wondering if it is safe to do a filesystem dump using the dump
> > command on running databases such as postfix and mysql? Thanks.
>
> Probably not if you expect to be able to recover the databases.  It
> is extremely unlikely that the data files would be in a consistent
state
> at the time of the dump.
>
> The same is true of using tar on open database files.
>
> If you have enough disk space for a second copy of all the data in the
> databases, you might try running some sort of database export utility
> and backup the exports.  Or, you might run a replica database and shut
> down the replica just prior to backing it up.
>
> Database backups are a relatively frequent topic here, so you should
> check the list archives for other solutions and suggestions.
>
> -Ben
>
> --
> Benjamin Lewis <bhlewis AT purdue DOT edu>
> Database Analyst/Programmer
> IT Security and Policy - Computing Accounts
> Purdue University
>
>
>