More Backup Solutions

More Backup Solutions

I had asked the PENGUINS to send in backup solutions, and included
the first batch in the previous newsletter. Now I’ve got a second
batch to share with you. Let’s take a look!

Dwaine Felch writes:

“Here is a program I’ve used for the last 1½ years to
do full system backup and restore on my Slackware systems: http://mkcdrec.ota.be/project/”

Dave Farley writes:

“Here’s a backup script to use. You may even recognize the author
:)”

##########################################
#
# cdbackup.sh
#
# Tony Steidler-Dennison
#  tony at lockergnome.com
# June 2-16, 2002
#
# Backs up user-specified files to CDR
#
# TO DO:
# auto-create list of files
#
##########################################

#!/bin/sh

# set and format the date variable and
# home directory variable

DATE=`/bin/date +%Y%m%d`
HOME="/home/tony"

# give me some feedback including the
# start time

echo "Starting CD Backup ..."
/bin/date

# use mysqldump to backup the current
# working databases

mysqldump --tab=/var/lib/mysql/lg --opt -full > \
/home/tony/backup/lg_db_$DATE.sql
mysqldump --tab=/var/lib/mysql/4am --opt -full > \
/home/tony/backup/4am_db_$DATE.sql
mysqldump --tab=/var/lib/mysql/nuke --opt -full > \
/home/tony/backup/nuke_db_$DATE.sql

# move the old backup list to a new
# name - necessary later for the diff

mv $HOME/backup/lists/2002*.list \
$HOME/backup/lists/prev_backup.list

# tar and gzip critical files using
# a list from /home/tony - this simplifies
# adding or removing files from the backup

tar -czf $HOME/backup/$DATE.tgz\
--files-from=/home/tony/backup.list \
> $HOME/backup/lists/$DATE.list

# more feedback

echo "Creating CD Image ..."
/bin/date

# make an isofs image of the .tgz file
# and tgz list file just created

mkisofs -r -f -o $HOME/backup/$DATE.iso \
$HOME/backup/$DATE.tgz \
$HOME/backup/lists/$DATE.list
# more feedback

echo "Burning CD ..."
/bin/date

# burn the newly-created iso image to disc

/usr/bin/cdrecord -v -data speed=12 dev=0,0,0 \
$HOME/backup/"$DATE".iso
# more feedback

echo "Mailing diff results ..."

# run diff, checking for differences between
# the old backup list and the new one

diff -aBH $HOME/backup/lists/prev_backup.list \
$HOME/backup/lists/$DATE.list \
| mail tony@localhost -s "$DATE Backup Results"

# more feedback

echo "Deleting temporary files ..."
/bin/date

# clean up the backup directory

rm -f $HOME/backup/*.tgz
rm -f $HOME/backup/*.iso
rm -f $HOME/backup/*.sql

# final feedback

echo "Done."
/bin/date

exit

Dee-Ann says: That author does kinda look familiar,
doesn’t?

Michael Rudas writes:

“I wanted to comment on one of your Lockergnome
articles from the 8/12/2003 issue, but was not sure how to contact
you on it, so this is it.

“The article was concerning backups. I just wanted to say that I
use Knoppix for that purpose; it has several useful programs on
it, including Partition Image, QTPartEd, and MondoRescue. I use it
to make and restore backups quickly and cleanly, and it’s free and
widely available.

“For example, I visited a friend who has a cable modem. I wasn’t
expecting to get drafted into helping him back up his system, but
I downloaded and burned Knoppix and was able to help him on the
spot.”

Dee-Ann writes: Thanks folks!