Topic: 2Gb limit on backup size?

[Pieter]

As I understand, linux imposes a 2Gb limit on the file size. Does this limit the maximum ammount af data to be stored on a backup tape device? (Using the standard e-smith provided back-up solution)
If so, what is the use of installing a tape device capable of handling 20 Gb. (As for instance the recommended hp and seagate 20Gb ide devices)

Thanks for the info, anyone.

Pieter

[Darrell May]

Pieter wrote:
>
> As I understand, linux imposes a 2Gb limit on the file size.
> Does this limit the maximum ammount af data to be stored on a
> backup tape device? (Using the standard e-smith provided
> back-up solution)
> If so, what is the use of installing a tape device capable of
> handling 20 Gb. (As for instance the recommended hp and
> seagate 20Gb ide devices)
>
> Thanks for the info, anyone.
>
> Pieter

Actually Pieter, this limitation does not apply to a backup to tape.  However it made me think about the 'Backup to desktop' feature.

This would be effected.  Not only would you have the Linux limitation but you would also have the operating system limitation on the machine the file is being downloaded to contend with.

Granted if someone has >2GB the 'Backup to desktop' feature is not the wisest backup solution to perform.

I took the liberty of posting this onto the devinfo list as well for comment.

Regards,

Darrell

[Charlie Brady]

Pieter wrote:
 
> As I understand, linux imposes a 2Gb limit on the file size.

Linux does not apply such a limit (file size limit in the VFS layer is 4TB). The most commonly used file system (ext2) in the standard linux kernel has a 2GB file size limit. However, the e-smith server and gateway uses the RedHat 7 kernel, and the ext2 file system in that kernel has been patched to allow large (1 Terabyte) file sizes.

> Does this limit the maximum ammount af data to be stored on a
> backup tape device? (Using the standard e-smith provided
> back-up solution)

The backup isn't stored in a file, but streamed to tape, so the size of the backup is limited to the size of the tape.

Regards

Charlie

[Richard Nellist]

From experience with the Cobalt Qube 2, and backing up files greater than 2Gb, there is a 2Gb file limit on the Older 2.0.x kernel. At least that was Cobalt's reason for backup problems on the Qube 2.