From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Mon Jan 3 19:04:25 2005 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 60F5E16A4CE for ; Mon, 3 Jan 2005 19:04:25 +0000 (GMT) Received: from grog.secure-computing.net (grog.secure-computing.net [63.228.14.241]) by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id DF64843D46 for ; Mon, 3 Jan 2005 19:04:24 +0000 (GMT) (envelope-from ecrist@secure-computing.net) Received: from [192.168.1.102] (c-66-41-157-209.mn.client2.attbi.com [66.41.157.209]) (authenticated bits=0)j03J43QN026513; Mon, 3 Jan 2005 13:04:04 -0600 (CST) (envelope-from ecrist@secure-computing.net) In-Reply-To: <41D992FF.9070204@mail.ru> References: <200501031215450764.8ED18007@mail.intradyn.com> <0956A4C4-5DB5-11D9-B56F-000D9333E43C@secure-computing.net> <41D992FF.9070204@mail.ru> Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v619) Content-Type: multipart/signed; protocol="application/pgp-signature"; micalg=pgp-sha1; boundary="Apple-Mail-7--229695505" Message-Id: <39A542A8-5DBA-11D9-B56F-000D9333E43C@secure-computing.net> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit From: Eric F Crist Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 13:03:59 -0600 To: infofarmer@mail.ru X-Pgp-Agent: GPGMail 1.0.2 X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.619) X-Spam-Status: No, hits=0.0 required=5.0 tests=none autolearn=no version=2.64 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 2.64 (2004-01-11) on grog.secure-computing.net cc: FreeBSD-Questions Questions Subject: Re: Backup with dd? X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Mon, 03 Jan 2005 19:04:25 -0000 --Apple-Mail-7--229695505 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed On Jan 3, 2005, at 12:46 PM, Andrew P. wrote: > Eric F Crist wrote: >> On Jan 3, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Henry Miller wrote: >>> >>> This might work, but it isn't best. I can think of the following >>> objections: >>> >>> You have no protection at all while the copy is in progress. You >>> have >>> overwritten part of the old backup, but not enough to be consistent. >>> >>> You have made no provision for data loss because of anything other >>> than >>> a failing drive. If your house burns down you can't get your data. >>> (not strictly true, you can recover accidently deleted files so long >>> as >>> you do the undelete before the next time you do the backup) >>> >>> FreeBSD has a few different RAID options. With the right setup you >>> can achieve disk reliability, and not have to switch cables on >>> reboot. >> You seem to be under the impression that I'm doing this for the sole >> reason of a disk crash. I'm actually doing it for more than just >> that reason. For example, if my system gets hacked, most hackers >> will probably not care about an unmounted hard drive, and screw with >> the current mounted partitions. Also, these drives wouldn't really >> be at the same point of this hypothetical drive failure, since one >> hard drive will only be used roughly once a week, while the other is >> in a constant state of use. Most of my user-data is destined for a >> RAID-5 array that's roughly 1.2TB, so that's got it's own backup. >> This is simply for use in an emergency, so I don't HAVE to rebuild. >> Quite frankly, I don't have time to sit here and rebuild this system >> again any time soon. This configuration I'm trying is ideal, with >> minimal interference. I'm going to be installing removable drive >> bays so that my roommate is able to simple swap drive positions and >> reboot the system (it's headless, and he's not very tech savvy in >> this regard). > > Backing up with dd is ultimately straightforward, but is not a good > idea at all. The matter is when dd is running, the source may be > modified and the copy might be inconsistent. Software RAID should be > the best option for your task: you can mirror a drive to a second one > and then just plug the second one out of your computer. > > Best wishes, > Andrew P. Is this vinum? Fairly difficult to setup, or is it straight-forward? Before I delve into that, any setup recommendations? Thanks. _______________________________________________________ Eric F Crist "I am so smart, S.M.R.T!" Secure Computing Networks -Homer J Simpson --Apple-Mail-7--229695505 content-type: application/pgp-signature; x-mac-type=70674453; name=PGP.sig content-description: This is a digitally signed message part content-disposition: inline; filename=PGP.sig content-transfer-encoding: 7bit -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.2.4 (Darwin) iEYEARECAAYFAkHZlx8ACgkQRAAY9knOW+rDzwCbBIf/h7WIeBex8LHv1uSrot/2 CjQAmwePKLGmGGYzDVS0zOSGSBJJUTyn =GpA6 -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- --Apple-Mail-7--229695505--