Topic: SME backup - how much is backed up

[evikali]

Hi there

I have installed WebCalendar on my sme server in my Primary ibay (in a subfolder) and the WebCalender program uses MySql to store data and I was wondering if the MySql data is automatically backed up, when one chooses to backup ones data from the server manager.

[CharlieBrady]

I was wondering if the MySql data is automatically backed up, when one chooses to backup ones data from the server manager.

Yes.

[djhomeless]

Is there a cleaner way to backup ibays?

I've got about a dozen ibays, with several gigs worth of files. It seems to migrate to a newer version of SME, I not only need to backup the files to a network share of some sort (since I don't have a tape backup), but when I install the new server I'll need to manually recreate each ibay.

Or am I missing something?

Thanks!

Geoffrey

[raem]

djhomeless

>... but when I install the new server I'll need to > manually recreate each ibay.
> Or am I missing something?

A standard backup includes the server configuration & data. If you restore from that (tp a newly installed OS) then you will automatically recreate the server configuration including ibays, users, passwords & Internet connection configuration etc etc.

If you only backup ibays (using some other technique than the standard backup tool), then of course you will need to create the ibays manually on a new server before restoring the data.

Keep in mind the standard backup to desktop has file size limitations. It will stop backing up at 4Gb and won't restore from files larger than 2Gb.

An alternative is to use backup to workstation (backup2ws) contrib.

As you are a bit unsure, I suggest you test your backup and restore procedure on a test server before doing it on your production server.

[djhomeless]

Thanks Ray.

I was curious because my Ibays contain my network music folders, and a locally shared video library. Both probably hold up to 40 gig each worth of data. But when I ran the backup tool in the Server Manager, I only backed up a 2-3 gig file.

I probably should manually backup my Ibays just as a precaution then test my upgrade.....

thanks,

Geoffrey

[raem]

djhomeless

That amount of compression sounds too good to be true, so I suspect your backup did not backup everything, but stopped at the 2 or 4Gb limit.
You would find if you tried to restore from that file, that it would not work or if it did work that data would be missing.

The backup2ws contrib can be configured to backup up selected ibays or whatever you want.

There is a good trick that Stephen Lord posted ages ago.
Temporarily copy all your ibays to /tmp and then run the backup to desktop. This will exclude the ibays from the backup and hopefully keep the file at less than 2Gb.
Copy your ibays back when finished then manually backup the ibay contents.

[djhomeless]

djhomeless

Temporarily copy all your ibays to /tmp and then run the backup to desktop. This will exclude the ibays from the backup and hopefully keep the file at less than 2Gb.
Copy your ibays back when finished then manually backup the ibay contents.

So basically what your saying is the backup process will recreate my xx ibays in the new server, and then I just simply overwrite the ibays with the data I store externally?

Sounds almost too simple. I'm sure I'll find a way to hose it.

thanks,

Geoffrey

[raem]

djhomeless

Keep in mind that restores from the standard backup should only be made to a freshly installed operating system. It will effectively recreate the whole server including all configuration, users and ibays etc.
If you use the move to /tmp trick, then knowledge of the ibays will be recreated also, but have no data in them, so you would manually copy the data back into them from your other manual backups.

[djhomeless]

Thanks again for your help Ray. One last (stupid) question, can I assume the backup will handle my IMAP mail accounts? I know it will deal with the users, but I'm not sure if it will move the physical mails.

Sorry for all the questions, this is my first migration and I'm a tad nervous!

Geoffrey

[raem]

djhomeless

> It will effectively recreate the whole server...

That includes users home folders which contain their email messages.
See
http://no.longer.valid/phpwiki/index.php/AdministrationFAQ#backup

>...this is my first migration and I'm a tad nervous

I STRONGLY suggest you try the process on a test server first and get familiar with the process and the outcome before trying it on a live server.
It should all work OK, but your expectation may not match reality, so debug your expectation first.

[raem]

djhomeless

> this is my first migration and I'm a tad nervous

Keep in mind that you will also need to reinstall any contribs, after you have done the restore.
These (the contrib installed rpms) are not included in the backup process, although the config files for them should be included.