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Date:      Fri, 18 Sep 1998 13:34:30 -0700 (PDT)
From:      Doug White <dwhite@resnet.uoregon.edu>
To:        Robert Clark <Clark@open.org>
Cc:        "freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG" <freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG>
Subject:   Re: Root Disk Backup.
Message-ID:  <Pine.BSF.4.03.9809181332550.11967-100000@resnet.uoregon.edu>
In-Reply-To: <36029DED.100E0A16@open.org>

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On Fri, 18 Sep 1998, Robert Clark wrote:

> I'm trying to establish a set of tools that will minimize downtime when
> a root disk fails.

Before we get started on this, a good procedure is to add a small root
partition to any disk you add to the system, so if the primary one falls
over, you simply boot another disk.

> All systems should use the same brand and model of 2G SCSI HD.
> After the OS and apps are installed, take the HD out of the target
> system, install it into a FreeBSD system setup for this purpose, and
> dump a binary image of the HD to tape.
> Once a month, repeat the process, and dump a binary image of the HD to
> tape again.
> 
> In the event of a root failure:
> 
> Grab the most recent root-image tape for the system that failed.
> Grab a new 2G HD from the shelf.
> Pop the tape and HD into a FreeBSD system configured to restore the
> tape.
> Half an hour later, a replacement root disk is ready. (Or less time with
> a faster tape drive.)

Backup/restore.  Simple and works. :)

> Why go to the trouble:
> It would seem difficult to fully backup a UNIX system while it is
> running. Taking the system offline would ensure that no changes are made
> to the disk while it is being backed up.

dump runs under single user.  The sticky thing is backing up databases
that change during the backup.

Doug White                               
Internet:  dwhite@resnet.uoregon.edu    | FreeBSD: The Power to Serve
http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~dwhite    | www.freebsd.org


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