Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:13:19 -0600 (MDT) From: Warren Block <wblock@wonkity.com> To: PJ <af.gourmet@videotron.ca> Cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: backups & cloning Message-ID: <alpine.BSF.2.00.0909291759110.44648@wonkity.com> In-Reply-To: <4AC29BE6.4000505@videotron.ca> References: <4AC29BE6.4000505@videotron.ca>
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On Tue, 29 Sep 2009, PJ wrote: > I am getting more and more confused with all the info regarding backing > up and cloning or moving systems from disk to disk or computer to computer. > I would like to do 2 things: > 1. clone several instances of 7.2 from and existing installation > 2. set up a backup script to back up changes either every night or once > a week > > There are numerous solutions out there; but they are mostly confusing, > erroneous or non functional. > To start, could someone please explail to the the following, which I > found here:http://forums.freebsd.org/showthread.php?t=185 > > You can move system from disk to disk on fly with > Code: > > $ newfs -U /dev/ad2s1a > $ mount /dev/ad2s1a.... /target > $ cd /target > $ dump -0Lauf - /dev/ad1s1a | restore -rf - > This may be clear to someone; it certainly is not to me. > As I understand it, newfs will (re)format the slice. > Ok, But what is standard out in the above example. The dump is from > where to where? dump is reading /dev/ad1s1a and using stdout for output. restore is writing to the current directory (/target) and is reading from stdin. > Could someone clarify all this for me? > So far, I have been unable to dump the / slice, not even with the -L > option. It's hard to help without knowing the exact commands you are using and the errors they are producing. Help us to help you by posting them. > I am trying to dump the whole system (all the slices)except swap > to a usb (sata2 500gb disk) and then restore to another computer with > 7.2 minimal installation. A minimal install makes it easier. You don't need to copy /tmp, either. > Slices ad2s1d,e,f and g dump ok to usb. a does not - errors ("should use > -L when dumping live filesystems) Right. So what happens when you use -L? A long pause while the system makes a snapshot is normal. > Do you have to newfs each slice before restoring? The first time. But your minimal install already did that for you. > But if you are restoring on a running 7.2 system, don't you have to > restore to another disk than the one the system is on? Nope. You can overwrite the running system. I restore in /usr, /var, and then / order. Then reboot and you are running the new clone. > I am beginning to think that you have to have a system running and > dumpt to another disk on that system and then remove that disk and > install in another box and boot from that? Am I getting close? I know > it's a lot to ask, but then, I know you guys are capable... :-) It's usually best to limit messages to a single question. -Warren Block * Rapid City, South Dakota USA
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