On Wed, Sep 28, 2005 at 01:40:37PM -0400, u wrote:
> >
> > Amanda will not do incrementals of any DLE until it has done a full
> > dump (level 0).  You would have to have at least a starting point done
> > by amanda.  Then perhaps you could change the settings to do infinite
> > (actually just very very long) dumpcycle and set amanda to an increment
> > only strategy.
> OK, assume this is done.  We do one initial dump (level 0) and then
> every four weeks we repeat the process and do another full dump (level
> 0).  Inside each four weeks cycle, we follow an incremental only
> strategy.
> >
> 
> > You could
> > only get from amanda those files that changed during the week.  It would
> > not have a copy of the original starting files.  Amanda's dumps would only
> > be good for something that changed and subsequently was lost or trashed.
> > You could get back the changed version.  But if the file was simply trashed
> > amanda would not have the original to restore.  (no level 0 in your scheme)
> >
> I have a doubt.  When Amanda take a backup of a changed file, does it
> backup the entire file or just the diff?
> If we follow the assumptions stated above, wouldn't we have a copy of
> the file from the last level 0 full backup plus all of the changes
> during the 4 weeks cycle?
> 

You cut-off, and perhaps missed, the opening of my paragraph:

   "Assuming amanda would do what you seek,"

I.e. if amanda would do only incrementals for you.
In that case you have no level 0.

As to your scheme, sure that should work.  All you are doing is
using amanda with a dumpcycle of 4 weeks.

Another variation is a very long dumpcycle, basically infinite,
and after the initial level 0, you use amadmin to "force" a
level 0 whenever you wish.  Keep the standard config as "incremental
only" and you control when the level 0's are done.

-- 
Jon H. LaBadie                  jon AT jgcomp DOT com
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