[OT] Understanding Linux backup limitations

[Karl Larsen]

Young wrote:
> Bart Silverstrim wrote:
>   
>> Brian McKee wrote:
>>     
>>> On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 4:04 PM, Young <tuxman at knology.net> wrote:
>>>       
>>>> Oh, great guru, please hear my plea. :)
>>>>
>>>> I want to understand why a Linux partition must be unmounted before a
>>>> cloned image can be created. I haven't been able to find anything yet; I
>>>> guess I don't know the key word to search.
>>>>
>>>> I'd appreciate a lead to something that explains this limitation.
>>>>
>>>> First, I'd like to know if it's a kernel issue, or a file system issue.
>>>> Then an explanation of why the problem exists.
>>>>         
>>> I agree with Bart that the only issue is the darned file might change
>>> while you're backing it up.
>>> That's not a Linux thing, it's a computer thing.
>>>
>>> LVM can do 'snapshots' that helps overcome this.  I think Windows
>>> shadow copy is similar.  ZFS has something too.
>>>       
>> For the OP, is there a specific situation you're investigating backing 
>> up for? Anything in particular you're looking for advice on? Or was it 
>> just curiosity?
>>
>>     
> Mostly curiosity, but I'd like to see a solution. It's a shame for Linux 
> that a Windows backup program can create an image backup of a booted 
> system, but Linux can't.
>
> My concerns are really for the SOHO users. Larger companies have 
> multiple systems, and probably a sys admin.
>
> Creating an image backup of a Linux install is a pain. And because of 
> that it doesn't get done as often as it should. Or people backup only 
> their home directory. I know, for myself, that it's stopped me from 
> trying out certain things because the risk/reward/pain/time ratios just 
> weren't good enough. It's slowing down the learning process for me, and 
> I'll never really move to Linux unless this gets fixed, because I know 
> I'll end up skipping a backup.
>
> And, while image backups aren't the only type of backup needed, the rest 
> of the backup programs available aren't very friendly either.
>
> I think SOHO users need a GUI backup program that can create an image 
> backup, and then be set to auto create incremental or differential 
> backups on top that. I'd pay for that.
>
> Mark
>
>   
    If you want to back up your Linux use rsync and you can do it while 
the Linux is running. You need to write a simple bash file to use rsync 
and mine looks like this:

karl at karl-hardy:~$ cat /root/bin/rsync-media
# This goes to the USB hard drive
rsync -vaH --exclude '/proc' --exclude 'sys'  --exclude '/mnt' --exclude 
'/media' /. /media/disk

I back up about once a month. This is a long home computer.

Karl


-- 

	Karl F. Larsen, AKA K5DI
	Linux User
	#450462   http://counter.li.org.
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