Hello Amanda users,

I have an IRIX system (Origin 300, 4 500Mhz processors) with a
few disks on it. One of these disks is relatively large, a RAID
array configured as a single partition of 0.866 TBytes.

The owner is looking into methods of backup and since we use amanda
almost universally... but I need a sanity check.

The system owner is thinking of purchasing a jukebox with 8 or 16 bays
and an SDLT 320 drive, native 160 GByte capacity.

I don't believe I've ever heard of anything that will backup such a
large partition. Well, let me put it another way. I am not aware of
any media (other than a duplicate RAID-array) that would backup up
this large a partition. Also the partition is likely to grow as the
array is not fully populated.

I'm thinking Amanda using DLE's specifying TAR (some version of tar)
backing up perhaps by user directory (which are at the top level of
the partition).

Tar backups would allow for full vs incremental ? And relatively easy
restores ? I know I could probably xfsdump to multiple tapes but the
restore process would be a real nightmare.

We are already using amanda 2.4.4 with a jukebox on a Solaris system
so we have some experience with configuration (that is a whole other
thread...).

We are open to suggestions, hardware, software or otherwise.

Please tell me we aren't breaking new ground.

                                                thanks,

                                                Brian

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   Brian R Cuttler                 brian.cuttler AT wadsworth DOT org
   Computer Systems Support        (v) 518 486-1697
   Wadsworth Center                (f) 518 473-6384
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