Bacula-users

Re: [Bacula-users] unbelievable question - what is a volume?

2009-05-06 14:59:02
Subject: Re: [Bacula-users] unbelievable question - what is a volume?
From: Arno Lehmann <al AT its-lehmann DOT de>
To: bacula-users AT lists.sourceforge DOT net
Date: Wed, 06 May 2009 20:53:52 +0200
Hi,

06.05.2009 19:57, alexander AT nautae.eti DOT br wrote:
> Hi everyone.
> 
> Maybe because I don't have a good English, maybe because I'm so dumb...

;-)

let's assume the first option...

> So... it's difficult to me to understand the concepts behind "Volume",  
> "Pool" and the backup itself.
> 
> I've searched Bacula's documentation, but probably it is something so  
> idiot that there isn't a direct explanation about that.

Let's rather say it's something quite basic and probably not 
explicitly explkained.

A volume is a space where Bacula stores data.

With tape drives, one tape is always identical to a volume.
With disks, one volume is represented by one file, named with the 
volume name, and stored in a directory pointed at by the storage 
daemon configuration.
With DVDs, one DVD is one volume, but the way to get data onto it, and 
how it's actually stored is more complex. And, even though I was 
involved designing that, today I say the way that's done is simply broken.

> I just know that I have a disk, directories to make a copy of (my data  
> to backup), so I need a place to put my copies and after burn a DVD.
> 
> Is Volume a file that have to be formated as a... volume of data? Why  
> have I mount this?

It essentially has to be formatted, but Bacula calls that labeling and 
does all the work for you either automatically, or when you use the 
'label' command.

Mounting a volume in Bacula is a process typically done all inside 
Bacula, so you don't have to worry about it - unless you have to 
manually change tapes, swap USB disk, or load a new DVD.

> What's a Volume and a Pool and this context?

A volume is an entity in which Bacula stores data. Each volume, at all 
times and for a specific Bacula instance, is the member of exactly one 
pool (otherwise, it's just a file or tape or DVD that could be used by 
a specific Bacula instance if made known to it).

A pool is thus a collection of volumes. Furthermore, in the pool 
definition, you set the default values for some volume properties, 
which are assigned to new volumes created in that pool. In other 
words, most of the volumes metadata doesn't change when you assign it 
to another pool.

> Really sorry for the incredible simple question. I can handle some  
> backup concepts, but until now I have always used ninja shell scripts...

Then it's time to get started with real Backups ;-)

Arno

> []'s
> Alexander
> Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
> 
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Arno Lehmann
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www.its-lehmann.de

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