Topic: Backup / Restore ~ Need some reassurance

[jgates]

I'm running an SME 6.01 and it runs just fine. It serves my business and hosts websites for other people and is all just fine. I've had the odd problem with, for example Clam AV but due to the excellent resources offered in these forums have always been able to nut things out.

I don't have a tape backup unit but do make weekly backups (as admin) to the desktop of a client machine.

Boys being boys I want to fiddle (with the server!!!) and will be upgrading PHP and MySQL.

Question : If I make a backup and configuration disk immediately before I attempt the upgrades and then everything goes horribly wrong, is it then possible to do a fresh install of the server and restore all files and settings from the backup file?

I know the server panel says this is so but, I just need some reassurance "before the event."

Thanks, in anticipation,

John

[cc_skavenger]

this will only backup the core system settings, etc.  You will have to re-install any updates, and or third-party addons (clam, spamassassin, phpsysinfo, etc.).

Hope this answers your question.

[raem]

john

> If I make a backup and configuration disk
> immediately before I attempt the upgrades and then > everything goes horribly wrong.....

You should always "test" your backup and restore routine thoroughly on a test server to prove that it really works, BEFORE updating/trashing the old server. That way you know your backup/restore strategy really works if needed.
There have been MANY stories of restores that went awfully wrong.

> ... I want to fiddle ..... and will be upgrading
> PHP and MySQL.

You would also be wise to try that out on a test server BEFORE doing it on a live server, to make sure nothing untoward happens.

If you use software RAID1, then a good way to make a backup of your entire server including installed apps, is to remove one disk and let the server run in degraded mode, or add another disk and rebuild the array if preferred (using Darrell May's howto).

[jgates]

Thanks,

That's given me the info I need...yes I use RAID 1....now why didn't I think of that....Thanks Ray...

[raem]

jgates

> ...yes I use RAID 1....now why didn't I think of that

You should also make sure you can rebuild the array properly before relying on the removed disk as a backup.
The RAID recovery HOWTO is quite good.