Topic: AFFA's default SME backup directories?

[jahlewis]

What are the default directories/files backed up when an affa job has SME enabled?  Does it include /var/lib/mysql?  /opt?  Does it run the pre and post commands SME's regular backup runs? VP-ire's backuppc contrib does this (I believe...) It would be good to itemize these in the wiki.

In fact, it would be good to have a wiki page about SMEserver backing up and restoring.  What directories should be backed up, how a restore works, ways to recover/track contribs, and what directories contribs need backing up (like mailman's /var/lib/mailman)...  A quick search did not reveal this.  Would anyone be interested?

[raem]

jahlewis

What are these ?
http://wiki.contribs.org/Backup_server_config
http://wiki.contribs.org/Affa
http://wiki.contribs.org/Backup_with_dar
http://wiki.contribs.org/DAR2
Plus of course generic info re backups that is in the manual

[psoren]

What are the default directories/files backed up when an affa job has SME enabled?  Does it include /var/lib/mysql?  /opt?  Does it run the pre and post commands SME's regular backup runs? VP-ire's backuppc contrib does this (I believe...) It would be good to itemize these in the wiki.

In fact, it would be good to have a wiki page about SMEserver backing up and restoring.  What directories should be backed up, how a restore works, ways to recover/track contribs, and what directories contribs need backing up (like mailman's /var/lib/mailman)...  A quick search did not reveal this.  Would anyone be interested?

I can tell you a good story...

I needed to replace my serverhardware, so i installed SME + Affa on the new on. I set up Affa to run jobs with the standard settings plus a dir for wmvare. After a few days of testing and checking i decided to do the uktimate test of any BU software: THE RESTORE!!! In this case it's called rising the Affa box.
I disconnected the internet to the old box and did a last BU then replaced the old server with the new on and did the rise. Then i installed all the contribs i needed and everything just worked!! All databases there... In less than half an hour!!
Best damn backup software i ever tried..... Easiest server replacement i have ever done....

You can very easy customize everything, which dir's and where to back up to. I now use Affa to BU to an USB disk, works good...

Per

[jahlewis]

that is indeed encouraging.  From what you are saying Per,

• so affa uses the signal-event pre-backup and post-backup commands, and I don't need to put /var/lib/mysql in the backup list?
• for backing up vmware, did you add /var/lib/mysql and /etc/vmware to the backup list?  Any others?
• for backing up mailman, i'm assuming /var/lib/mailman is sufficient?
• what is your strategy for identifying what additional RPMs/contribs were installed beyond the base+updates?

[raem]

jahlewis

If you read the links I posted, most/all of your questions will be answered.

All the backup methods referred to use the standard sme backup concepts, which include a dump of all mysql databases and the various signal-events.
One of the links provides you with a list of what is included in a standard backup, which you can modify if required.

Affa provides a list of rpm differences between the source and backup servers, if you enable that setting.

The general concept is that all contribs need to be reinstalled after a restore to a fresh install of sme server OS, as they are not included in a backup/restore.