> www:~# grep amanda /etc/inetd.conf
> amandaidx stream tcp nowait backup /usr/sbin/tcpd /usr/lib/amanda/amindexd
> amidxtape stream tcp nowait backup /usr/sbin/tcpd /usr/lib/amanda/amidxtaped
> # 6-Sep-2002-EKZ: Changed user to see if I could get Debian amanda to work 
> with regular amanda tapehost
> amanda dgram udp wait amanda /usr/sbin/tcpd /usr/lib/amanda/amandad
> #amanda dgram udp wait backup /usr/sbin/tcpd /usr/lib/amanda/amandad
> www:~#  id amanda
> uid=1028(amanda) gid=34(backup) groups=34(backup),6(disk)
> www:~#
> 
> I don't think anything has been changed in this file for the last year.

> www:/tmp/amanda# cat runtar.20030417004542000.debug
> runtar: debug 1 pid 31612 ruid 1028 euid 0 start time Thu Apr 17 00:45:42 2003
> /bin/tar: version 2.4.2p2
> error [must be invoked by backup]

Well, the way I understand the messages, runtar really wants to be
called by the user `backup' instead of `amanda'.  As you say, your setup
calls it from the `amanda' account, which had been changed in septembre
last year.  Could it be inetd hadn't reloaded its config back then, and
for some reason the change only took effect a week ago or so?

Anyway I'd try replacing the original line (with user `backup'), don't
forget to `killall -HUP inetd', and see whether it works.

Alex

-- 
Alexander Jolk         /         BUF Compagnie
tel +33-1 42 68 18 28 /  fax +33-1 42 68 18 29