Re: [SLUG] Looking for a way (that works) to back up entire system

From: Eben King (eben01@verizon.net)
Date: Mon Mar 03 2008 - 12:28:41 EST


On Mon, 3 Mar 2008, Donald E Haselwood wrote:

> What is a good way to backup the entire linux system?

What I do is (in effect)

cat /dev/hda > /dev/hdb

(but I use dd and vary the block size to see what's fastest). My drives run
at about 30 MB/s (so the process takes apout an hour), though of course
that'll vary with your drives. You can do

cat /dev/hda > /mnt/temp/backup-file

or even

gzip -9 < /dev/hda > /mnt/temp/backup-file.gz

but then you're reducing ease of access in favor of being able to use the
drive for other things too. If you've got a lot of incompressible data
(mp3, wmv/mpg/divx) it'll use lots of CPU cycles for little gain too.

-- 
-eben   QebWenE01R@vTerYizUonI.nOetP   http://royalty.mine.nu:81

"You're one of those condescending Unix computer users!" "Here's a nickel, kid. Get yourself a better computer" - Dilbert ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This list is provided as an unmoderated internet service by Networked Knowledge Systems (NKS). Views and opinions expressed in messages posted are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NKS or any of its employees.



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