Backup Server System


Recommended Posts

Any good (free) linux packages out there for backing up network folders? Basically just scan mounted samba points for changes every hour or so and copy changes to a local point. Something that is shell based is what I'm after, as I want to be able to telnet into the system. I don't think I'll even install (or need) the XFree packages on this system.

Doesn't have to be very fancy.

I setup a ReByte machine, and found that really all that I'm paying for (150 bones) is a fancy web front and ease of install (and a 64MBit CF card w/ IDE adapter). And there are limitations to that system I don't like.

-Nic

Don't get me wrong, the web front is really nice and easy to setup. But I'm pretty sure I can setup the same sorta deal w/o it and just linux.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Set up a basic tar command to add and compress the directories you want, and have it put it in a location you wish to store them. You can add this to the crontab if you want (though I just do mine manually). tar is built-in and ready to go. (Y)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

built-in, ready to go. I like that.

Although, compression isn't going to be necessary. And I want the files to be accessable through network browsing.

I really just want

/samba_mnts/

to be copied to

/backups/

at scheduled intervals. Ideally only copying (and replacing) files with a newer "modified" date (to cut down on network traffic).

Is this something i can setup with Linux w/o any 3rd party add-ons?

Thanks for the reply.

I need to read up on what this crontab is.

-Nic

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, if you want to have uncompressed, you can leave off the -z option on tar. However, while you could still extract individual files from there, you would not be able to network browse it....

I think you want the cp (copy) command. You will probably need to specify a -r for recursive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

oh man, this is going to be cake:

all that needs to be done is to set all the shared folders to a mount point in say:

/samba_mnts/

get a big chunk of space in say:

/backup/

and then add a crontab entry to do:

cp -rup /samba_mnts /backup

r: directory recursion

u: only copy new or modified files to dest

p: perserve file attributes (like mod. date)

during the intervals i want.

Is there anything else I need to consider?

Thanks for the help!

-Nic

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey, you might want to see if rsync will fit your bill...

According to the man page for it, it seems to be a more efficient method than a copy.

Maybe someone with *experience* here will speak up? :unsure:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

rsync -a --delete /mnt/smb/ /mnt/backup/

rsync is better than cp because cp copies all of the files all the time. rsync just copies what changed. Pop that command into your crontab and you have a good backup system.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mr. Static Void:

Thanks for the reply as you are both probably right in that it is a better solution.

But doesn't cp just copy changed files if you use the -u (update only) and -p (preserve file attributes). With the preserve file attributes, it saves the modified date, and then with the -u it will only update files with new modified dates.

Of corse a bit wise compare of some sort would probably be more accurate (?).

I'll play with both and see what i find out.

thanks!

-Nic

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.