Topic: New to SME - Need help with backups not including ibays

[jesse]

Hello,

I am new to SME, and just set up a scheduled backup to workstation (local usb disk).  The backup runs, but it doesn't seem to be backing up everything I want.  I am mostly concerned about the iBays.

I have assumed that the built-in backup utility will backup iBays, is this correct?

I have done some research, and found this page http://wiki.contribs.org/Backup_server_config which says if I run

Code: [Select]

perl -e 'use esmith::Backup; $b = new esmith::Backup;print join("\n",$b->restore_list)' It will show me the directories included in the backup.  And indeed, I see /home/e-smith listed in that report.  However, my iBays currently run to about 20Gb of data, but my workstation backup is only 6Mb, so I know it isn't picking anything up in the iBays.

Can someone point me to relevant documentation, or teach me how to include iBays in the built-in backup procedure?

Thanks.

p.s.
This is on SME 7.4

[piran]

http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:FAQ#File_Size_Limitations

[jesse]

Thanks for the reply.  The link you sent me was talking about Apache file size limitations, and FAT32 size limitations.

I am not downloading a desktop backup through SME - I enabled a workstation backup to local (local to the server) usb disk, so I don't see how an Apache limitation applies.  My usb disk is formatted ext3, so the FAT32 limitation also does not apply.

Unless I'm not reading what your trying to show me?

[piran]

You didn't specify so I had to assume.
I don't use the desktop backup, haven't for years, it used to have limits.
The DAR2 backup does my server utterly reliably.
I choose to use AFFA for the iBays due to them being several TBs.
Both have excellent documentation in the wiki.

[jesse]

O.K. - It sounds like your saying the built-in backup utility is not as robust as it should be.  I'll take a look at the products you mentioned.  Thanks for your help.

[piran]

It doesn't sound like at all, kindly do not interpret my words.
The given backup solution is as robust as anyone would have it.
I personally use DAR2 for the server and AFFA for the data bays.
Period. Please read the wiki.

[janet]

jesse

The backup method you are using will automatically backup all ibays by default, as well as everything else you need to restore the server to a new install of the OS, except installed applications which will need to be reinstalled. This is valid only if you have NOT made any modifications to the backup "inclusions".

I originally read your backup file size as 6Gb, but on reread see you said 6Mb.
What you are seeing does not seem correct.
You should review the backup file to see what is in it, or try Verifying the backup.

As the current workstation backup uses dar, then this following reference from the DAR2 contrib wiki article may be of use to help you open the backup file(s) with midnight commander (mc).
http://wiki.contribs.org/DAR2#Midnight_Commander_.28MC.29_dar-extension

You say "backup to workstation (local usb disk)".
Are you backing up to a USB disk connected to a workstation or to a USB disk connected to your sme server ?

If a local USB disk attached to sme server, then at a guess your USB is not being mounted properly.
See http://wiki.contribs.org/USBDisks


The current default workstation backup is very good and works fine.
A prior default backup to desktop had file size limitations, but still worked OK within these limits. That limitation was a reason the DAR2 contrib came to be.

The DAR2 contrib is now superseded in part by the current default workstation backup (which also uses dar).

[jesse]

Thanks for the help, but it turns out the backup was working all along.  I was confused because the server-manager backup page said
"Currently configuration and data files total approximately 6Mb uncompressed. Twice the compressed data size must be available on the backup share."
Upon investigating the Verify Backup report, I found that my iBays were being backup up.  When I mounted the USB disk and examined the backup sets, there were several DAR files of 700Mb each.

So everything was working all along.