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Re: [BackupPC-users] Backing up whole linux system
2010-09-29 11:43:48
I have a pre-backup script that runs
dpkg --get-selections > <hostname>.pkglist
I make sure that this file is backed up. (the script actually gathers the package list plus captures the drive and partition information.) In the event of a rebuild or a cloning of a system, I can build the base system (I'm also going to work on preseed configs for them as time permits), then do
dpkg --set-selections < <hostname>.pkglist
apt-get dselect-upgrade
This will install all of the packages that are available in the list.
As for selecting backup targets, I cherry pick them as needed. For instance, on my wiki, I make sure to get all of the wiki directories (and /var/www), while on my db servers, I have a pre-backup script that dumps the db to /var/backups, and so forth. If crontabs are important to you, then you need to make sure at least /var/spool/cron is included in your backup set.
I admit, it does offer a steeper learning curve with respect to setting up backups, but on the plus side, it also saves disk space by not backing up files that are stock from the repository. Finally, to see where your files are located, you can issue a dpkg -L <pkgname> to get a listing of all the files in that package. Scroll through it and see if there is anything that you should probably back up.
As another poster said, this is probably intermediate to advanced behavior, so if you are not sure, back up the whole machine.
HTH,
--b
On Wed, Sep 29, 2010 at 2:15 AM, Boniforti Flavio <flavio AT piramide DOT ch> wrote:
Hello!
I know we're about to go a bit OT, but could you please tell
me how you eventually would recover to the last running configuration of y
Debian server by recovering also the installed packages?
I am now thinking about backing up my /etc only: do you think
that would be enough, considering that only squid and iptables are the main
softwares used? Of course, I have some tiny tools like webalizer (which involves
the use of /var/www) and webmin (which I hope has all its configs in /etc/).
Also crontabs are vital for me...
Many thanks,
F.
From: B. Alexander [mailto:storm16 AT gmail DOT com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 2:18 AM
To: General
list for user discussion,questions and support
Subject: Re:
[BackupPC-users] Backing up whole linux system
Hi Flavio, If I am honest, I only back up critical files on
the system (/boot, /lib/modules, /home, /root, /etc, /usr/local, etc) using
backuppc, because I can regenerate a Debian base install without packages in
about 15 minutes, and with a relatively small package list like is generally
on a firewall, I can do an apt-get dselect install from the previous package
list in about the same amount of time as a restore. YMMV, of course, but one
side benefit is that I get a fresh machine out of the deal. I've
really had pretty good experience with a variety of boxes doing it this way,
but it all has to do with your needs. --b
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