Re: [SLUG] OOM?

From: Eben King (eben01@verizon.net)
Date: Mon Nov 19 2007 - 22:06:26 EST


On Sun, 18 Nov 2007, steve szmidt wrote:

> On Sunday 18 November 2007, Eben King wrote:
>
>>>> I looked at rsync, but couldn't figure out a way to make it copy an
>>>> updated boot block or deal with repartitioning, without manual
>>>> intervention. Time taken really isn't an issue, since the backup
>>>> happens a 4am (takes 1h15m or so).
>>>
>>> No, it won't handle boot blocks or repartitioning. It's strictly a
>>> file-by-file copy program. If the filesystem doesn't see it as a *file*,
>>> it won't copy with rsync.
>>
>> Yeah, whole-disk is what I want. I'd do some form of RAID, but this way
>> is quieter, uses less power, makes less heat, and uses one drive less
>> than the other (it's spun down 23 hours a day). So when the main drive
>> dies, I have a backup that's less than a day old. It'd be nice if I
>> could use rsync; the whole thing would take a couple minutes.
>
> I've not read the whole thread, but I see no reason you cannot use rsync.
> If you need copies of things like the boot sector then just dd it to a
> file and rsync it with everything else.

That sounds like it would go against the "manual intervention" clause. I
guess in my CFT, I could come up with a nifty script that would md5sum all
the stuff on disk that isn't a file, look for any changes, dd if so, rsync
if not. I'd have to make sure it ignored trivial stuff like last time
mounted, mount count and so on. As is, it's a simple matter of swap cables
and reboot. The drives are identical in every way. I should write
"MAIN"/"BACKUP" on them so I can tell them apart.

> My backup server has the keys from each computer so it will allow scp to
> pipe rsync to it without a login. Then just set cron to run dd and then
> rsync.
>
> I had all but forgotten about rsync. Then one day I stumbled on it when
> reviewing my backup policy. It totally rocks with secure shell. But then I
> think you have already discovered that.

Easier since the main comp _is_ the backup server. Yes, I know, "if that
one blows up", etc. The data probably isn't important enough to warrant
_two_ machines.

-- 
-eben      QebWenE01R@vTerYizUonI.nOetP      royalty.mine.nu:81
VIRGO:  All Virgos are extremely friendly and intelligent - except
for you.  Expect a big surprise today when you wind up with your
head impaled upon a stick. -- Weird Al, _Your Horoscope for Today_
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