Backup tools for Linux

[yyghp]

Now I use Data Protector ( Omnibak ) to backup Linux file system ( Cell Manager on HP-UX, Agent on Linux ), but I am looking for a backup tool which can work like Ignite-UX that backup the WHOLE DISK ( NOT JUST FILE SYSTEM ) to the tape/disk, for disaster recovery purpose. With Ignite-UX image, I can restore the whole system to a new hard disk ... but with data protector, I can't restore linux with a blank hard disk.
Any good idea ?
Thanks a lot !

[Hoefnix · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Check http://www.mondorescue.com

This can make bootable CD's (DVD's in beta stage i believe) from a running system. (or write to network filesystems in ISO format).

HTH,

Peter.

Ps It's Open Source software!

[Hoefnix]

Sorry, got the url from the manpage, but it should be http://www.mondorescue.org/

HTH,
Peter

[Rick Garland]

LINUX comes with a utility called "kickstart"

Can use it to install other systems as well as make a DR copy of your present system.

Can make a bootable CD with this utility as well.

[Hoefnix]

Hi,

One small remark. Kickstart comes with RedHat not with Linux if I am correct.

If you like to do some distribution of software (updates) to linux systems (multiple distro's) have also a look at:
http://www.systemimager.org/

Regards,
Peter

[Ivajlo Yanakiev]

Use nice tool dd.
or probably if you have one more disk you can mirror disk and split mirror.

[Bryan Dees]

I agree with Peter, Mondo is really nice. It supports the ability to clone most filesystems , LVM, RAID, ext2, ext3, reiserFS, etc..

In addition to creating bootable disks such as Peter mentioned, you can also mount and backup to and restore from NFS mounts.

Linux Journal had a really nice write up on it in their October 2003 issue if you can find a copy..

reference:
http://www.linuxjournal.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=NS-lj-issues/issue114&file=index

Another imaging application to look at would be: partimage. But it isn't nearly as verstile as Mondo..

[yyghp]

We use Redhat, so, do you think Kickstart is the best choice for that ?
Since the servers are not just for testing, I don't think open source backup software is allowed to be installed on them.
Thanks.

[yyghp]

In Redhat, I can only find Kickstart Configuration, where can I get Kickstart for backup ?
Thanks!

[Bill Thorsteinson]

If you use grub as a boot loader, you are
not dependent on the location of the imamges.

For disaster recovery you should have:
- A bootable diskette and/or cd media
(Distribution media will usually suffice)
- A printout of the partition tables
(Use fdisk, sfdisk, or cfdisk. If media
is different, you may want to repartion.)
- A backup of your root parition including
at least /boot /etc /bin /sbin /lib.

You can recover tar, cpio, and dd backups once
you have your root disk back.

As you are using Omniback you may need to
restore some or all of the partion where it
is installed. I usually install such
software in /opt.

For disaster recovery you can use sfdisk to
save/restore the partition tables. This will work with disks larger than the one being replaced. If it is smaller you you may need
to rearrange partitions manually. A hardcopy
df listing can help in resizing partitions
if needed.

[Rick Garland]

In the RedHat distro, bring up the main menu when you click on the red hat (on my system it is in lower left corner).

Under System Tools will be an option for Kickstart - if it is not there you probably need to install it. Find the appropraite install CD, cd into /cdrom/RedHat/RPMS and look for the rpm package for kickstart. Use the rpm -ivh .rpm to install the package.