Topic: Migrate SME 7.5.1 from my old server to a new one with USB Backup

[waldviertler]

@Stefano: Yes it was a clean fresh funky install on the new server.
As in the Affa howto, I installed from CD 7.5.1 then run yum update.

@k_graham: I have done a reconfigure of the server (at least because of the new network cards) and a reboot.
Due my old server is still alive, I will grab a harddisk and copy all files from the old /home/e-smith on it and then to the new server.
Then the permissions should be ok. (I will try it with one file).

thanks for your suggestions!

Waldviertler

[k_graham]

If you have a SATA hard disk on the old and if your new system is a Sata mirrored system but larger I believe you should be able to simply put the new blank disk in with the old and mirror the new one - or a old drive in the new - then transplant to your new system - do a upgrade so the drivers of your new system are picked up, then checking the archives here expand your new disk to use the full size.

This only would work if your new system is a mirrored raid and SATA. You might also have issues if your previous SATA was running at 1.5 where you might need to jumper the drives initially  - hopefully your new system is running at 3 or 6?

I have done the above when going from small to large IDE drives but unfortunately its not possible when going from IDE to SATA.
Of mourse if your new system is multi disk (more than 2) you will need to use one of the other methods.

Ken

[waldviertler]

The new Server (Hardware Raid 5, 4 harddisks) is already up and running.
Affa did it.

Thanks
Waldviertler

[k_graham]

The new Server (Hardware Raid 5, 4 harddisks) is already up and running.
Affa did it.

Thanks
Waldviertler

And the alternate method with mirrored drives would not as your not using mirrored drives anyway.

The next question is backups - can you retain the old system as the backup using Affa or will you  have enough capacity once those 4 drives fill up? It sounds like Affa has the advantage of quick rise, and possible remote location internet update.

Would the built in backup work given the problem you just went through? If using the built in backup are you able to restore a single file for example - When I tried on my system it seemed to time out so that is why I instead have been using WinRar, which had the additional advantage of allowing restore of a file via Windows and graphical User interface to a location of my choosing.

I ask as I figure its time to upgrade to a new mirrored entry level Server, perhaps with Xeon processor, and I am currently considering my backup options and what to get in a entry level Server,  HP, IBM, Dell - or other?

Thanks,

Ken

[waldviertler]

Regarding your, question: the old server will be a backup, only when the new crashes in a disaster.
I will backup the new to the USB-Backup on a USB disk.
The raid is huge, it will never be full.
I have used this raid only because, when one disks strikes I can put in a new - system rebuild - and go on with a running system.

From  server.tgz it is possible to me to extract only one file with the mc (midnight commander) on linux, or on mac with system tools or on windows with for example the Total Commander.
But my server.tgz is only 500 MB.

My Server is a Dell PowerEdge.

Best regards
Waldviertler