Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:19:15 -0500 From: Derek Ragona <derek@computinginnovations.com> To: L Goodwin <xrayv19@yahoo.com>, freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Backup media choices for FreeBSD servers Message-ID: <6.0.0.22.2.20070423191407.02611260@mail.computinginnovations.com> In-Reply-To: <879633.68756.qm@web58109.mail.re3.yahoo.com> References: <879633.68756.qm@web58109.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
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At 07:01 PM 4/23/2007, L Goodwin wrote:
>I need to implement an automated backup facility on the FreeBSD file
>server I'm setting up for a client. It will have a software RAID 1
>Mirror/Duplex that is made available to Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista
>Home Premium users as a Samba share. I also plan to create system
>recovery disks (disk images) for the server and each Windows client.
>
>This leaves backing up user data on some schedule. I've read "Backup
>Basics", but have some questions:
>
>Which is best backup media for a FreeBSD file server, based on known
>issues (or lack of) with each format? I need to decide between the
>following formats:
> a) CD-R (or CD-RW?)
> b) DVD-R (or CD-RW?)
> c) Streaming tape (which format/standard?)
>
>Which is the best method for backing up data files on a Samba sharer FreeBSD?
>Handbook says dump is the only way to go.
>
>Is it possible to have a Windows client perform the backup files on the
>Samba share to a local Re-Writable CD or DVD drive? If the answer is YES,
>what are the pros and cons of a UNIX-based (data-file only) backup vs. a
>Windows-based one?
>Please add to my list of pros and cons:
>
>Windows Backup:
>PRO: Backup can be restored to a Windows drive while server is being fixed?
>CON: Users might forget to replace backup disk after using optical drive.
>
>FreeBSD Backup:
>PRO: Out of sight from users (server is in a storeroom).
>CON: Cannot restore backup to a Windows disk while server is being fixed?
>
>These are some of my other considerations:
>
> 1) Cost is a primary concern. Budget does not allow for a multi-drive
> solution. Best if client does not handle backups (change discs/tapes), so
> a solution that permits storing several backups to same disc/tape preferred.
>
>2) I only want to back up user data (not the OS). Current user data
>occupies less than 1GB of drive space, and is expected to grow at a modest
>rate.
>
>3) I do NOT have a writable CD or DVD drive (but can buy one if not too
>spendy).
>
>4) I have an external SCSI connection, but very little "shelf" space.
>
>5) The server does not have room for another internal device (except if
>swapping out the existing ATAPI CD-ROM drive).
>
>6) I have an Ecrix Corporation Model VXI-1A SCSI internal tape drive that
>I assume is obsolete (comments appreciated). Anyway, I don't have room for it.
>
>7) Have not yet settled on a backup schedule. May be weekly or monthly or
>ad-hoc, but daily is probably out of the question. The RAID 1 array is
>expected to provide some degree of protection in leieu of daily backups.
>Plan to back up all documents each time, rather than implement a
>two-tiered backup process.
>
>Thanks!
>
You already have RAID 1 so you need more of an offline, removable media
solution. You need to choose between CD, DVD, or tape. That is a cost and
capacity issue, you need to do some price comparisons and choose what fits
your budget.
You can backup and restore all files UNIX and Samba/windows from the
FreeBSD but not vice-versa.
You would do well to setup some automated task, as in a cron job to do the
backups. You will need a human to change whatever media you choose, and
move it off-site occasionally too.
For FreeBSD, be sure to backup /etc /usr/local/etc.
You can use dump/restore, tar, pax, cpio, or one of the ports such as bacula.
-Derek
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