On Thursday 23 October 2008, dceola wrote:
>haha, well i'm good at following instructions, typically ;)
>
>i definitely have yet to understand program paths (and rpm's i guess) here..
>
>i downloaded the server RPM file that is listed for fedora7 on the amanda
> download page, and used the command /bin/rpm -ivh <rpm name(s)>
>when installing it (per the "Installing amanda binaries" page on the zmanda
> wiki).
>
And the rpm's force amanda into a different configuration when compared to 
what you would get from the (recommended) tarball install.
>
>i have no idea where it installed amdump, i've just been following the
> instructions to install/config everything per the amanda qikc start guide..
> so, past that i dont know...

See above, paths in particular will be wrong.

>sorry for my lack of understanding on how everything works here.. its
> beginning to make me frustrated, i feel certain you guys are like "geez
> look at this idiot" or something..  [Shocked]

Not at all, amanda is an intelligent program, and does take a bit of study to 
get ones mind wrapped around it.  I've been using it for 10 years and I'm 
still learning about it. :)

If you would like to try it the 'amanda' way from a tarball, here is 
my ./configure driving script for both client and server on the same machine.  
In this case the whole thing is built in the /home/amanda/amanda.version 
subdirectory.
===========
#!/bin/sh
# since I'm always forgetting to su amanda...
if [ `whoami` != 'amanda' ]; then
        echo
        echo "!!!!!!!!!!!! Warning !!!!!!!!!!!!"
        echo "Amanda needs to be configured and built by the user amanda,"
        echo "but must be installed by user root."
        echo
        exit 1
fi
make clean
rm -f config.status config.cache
./configure --with-user=amanda \
        --with-group=disk \
        --with-owner=amanda \
        --with-gnu-ld \
        --prefix=/usr/local \
        --with-tapedev="FILE:/amandatapes" \
        --with-debugging=/tmp/amanda-dbg/ \
        --with-tape-server=coyote \
        --with-bsdtcp-security --with-amandahosts \
        --with-configdir=/usr/local/etc/amanda \
        --with-config=Daily \
        --with-gnutar=/bin/tar

make
==============
"amanda" or whatever user you want to be able to run it, can be changed in the 
IF preamble above.  --with-user=amanda should match that choice, and that 
user should be a member of the group "disk" or "backup" depending on your 
install of linux.

--with-tapedev will also need matched, possibly to /dev/nst0?
--with-tape-server=FQDN of the machine functioning as the server, in the above 
case an alias that is in both .amandahosts and /etc/hosts.

Other changes should be fairly obvious.

Once this script has run, then you will need to become the root user and do 
the 'make install' part.  The you need to go back to the amanda user and 
run 'amcheck Configname' (Daily?) and fix what it fusses about as errors.  
Warnings can be ignored as they will be fixed on the real amdump run, 
although you might have to play with permissions here and there.

>Thanks again!!

-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
You will live to see your grandchildren.