[CentOS] Backup live system

Thu Oct 20 15:05:09 UTC 2011
Les Mikesell <lesmikesell at gmail.com>

On Thu, Oct 20, 2011 at 9:52 AM, ken <gebser at mousecar.com> wrote:
> Though I've worked with enterprise systems, I'm not familiar with FOOS
> backup software.  Which of those recommended would allow me to backup a
> system while users are active on it?  If it matters the system uses LVM.
>    I'd also like to be able to avoid needing the network if possible.
> That is, I'd plug in a disk into a USB port and backup the system onto
> that... again, while the system is live.


It is rare for linux applications to lock files, so almost all backup
tools will work on an active system, catching the files in whatever
state happens to appear in the filesystem.  However, database-type
applications will have their own requirements to preserve consistency
across tables in the snapshot.

Tar/dump/cpio/rsync are all good for copying data.  If you want
something that can completely reconstruct your system, look at
http://rear.sourceforge.net/ (also in EPEL) which should meet you need
exactly.  But, anytime someone mentions backups, I like to plug
backuppc.  It does use the network (and another machine) and it won't
restore a bootable disk, but it generally takes care of itself and
makes sure you always have backup copies with little effort.
(http://backuppc.sourceforge.net/ and EPEL).

-- 
  Les Mikesell
    lesmikesell at gmail.com