Feedback wanted asap

[gzf at gbr.msd.ray.com (Jerry Feldman {75562})]

Phil Buckley wrote:

> I have the task of researching, locating, and ultimately installing a
> back-up system for our single network server. We are running Red Hat 6.0
> on a newer DELL Optiplex GX1 400MhZ PII with about a 10GB HD.
> 
> I am looking for suggestions on two things:
> 
> 1. What type of backup device is recommended?
> 2. What software?
I did not see a response, but we had a discussion on gnhlug regarding
backups. Tar and dump are tried and true. Hard drives are getting larger and
larger much faster than backup tape systems. Many people set up their home
Linux system with a single root partition. However, in a commercial
environment, one of the advantages of setting up multiple partitions is to
enable better backups. For example:
The root partition would be relatively small as would be the /usr partition.
You would have additional partitions for /var which holds the spool, temp
and log directories. Then, you might add the /home partition for the user
data. Each of these partitions could take a separate backup strategy. / and
/usr contain very stable data, and don't require frequent backups. Most of
/var is transcient, which leaves the user data in  /home. The dump command
gives you incremental backup capability. On the other hand, tar gives you a
high degree of portability. Both allow restores at the file level. 

I have not used any other backup method, so I can't comment on some of the
commercial backup software. One of the problems with any backup system is
when you fill the backup media, how well does the software allow you to
switch to the next. 
-- 
Jerry Feldman (HP On-Site Consultant) http://gbrweb.msd.ray.com/~gzf/
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