I have a pre-backup script that runs
dpkg --get-selections > <hostname>.pkglist
I make sure that this file is backed up. (the script actually gathers the
package list plus captures the drive and partition information.) In the
event of a rebuild or a cloning of a system, I can build the base system
(I'm also going to work on preseed configs for them as time permits), then
do
dpkg --set-selections < <hostname>.pkglist
apt-get dselect-upgrade
This will install all of the packages that are available in the list.
As for selecting backup targets, I cherry pick them as needed. For instance,
on my wiki, I make sure to get all of the wiki directories (and /var/www),
while on my db servers, I have a pre-backup script that dumps the db to
/var/backups, and so forth. If crontabs are important to you, then you need
to make sure at least /var/spool/cron is included in your backup set.
I admit, it does offer a steeper learning curve with respect to setting up
backups, but on the plus side, it also saves disk space by not backing up
files that are stock from the repository. Finally, to see where your files
are located, you can issue a dpkg -L <pkgname> to get a listing of all the
files in that package. Scroll through it and see if there is anything that
you should probably back up.
As another poster said, this is probably intermediate to advanced behavior,
so if you are not sure, back up the whole machine.
HTH,
--b
On Wed, Sep 29, 2010 at 2:15 AM, Boniforti Flavio <[email protected]>wrote:
> Hello!
>
> I know we're about to go a bit OT, but could you please tell me how you
> eventually would recover to the last running configuration of y Debian
> server by recovering also the installed packages?
> I am now thinking about backing up my /etc only: do you think that would be
> enough, considering that only squid and iptables are the main softwares
> used? Of course, I have some tiny tools like webalizer (which involves the
> use of /var/www) and webmin (which I hope has all its configs in /etc/).
> Also crontabs are vital for me...
>
> Many thanks,
> F.
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* B. Alexander [mailto:[email protected]]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 29, 2010 2:18 AM
> *To:* General list for user discussion,questions and support
> *Subject:* Re: [BackupPC-users] Backing up whole linux system
>
> Hi Flavio,
>
> If I am honest, I only back up critical files on the system (/boot,
> /lib/modules, /home, /root, /etc, /usr/local, etc) using backuppc, because I
> can regenerate a Debian base install without packages in about 15 minutes,
> and with a relatively small package list like is generally on a firewall, I
> can do an apt-get dselect install from the previous package list in about
> the same amount of time as a restore. YMMV, of course, but one side benefit
> is that I get a fresh machine out of the deal.
>
> I've really had pretty good experience with a variety of boxes doing it
> this way, but it all has to do with your needs.
>
> --b
>
> On Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 2:54 PM, Boniforti Flavio <[email protected]>wrote:
>
>> Hello people.
>>
>> I need to back up my Debian server, which mainly acts as a gateway
>> (iptables) and proxy (squid). I’d like to back it up in a way that should
>> enable me to recover the whole system onto a new harddisk drive, if the
>> actual one would fail.
>> Is backupPC right for this purpose, or would it be better to take some
>> sort of “snapshots” with some other software/tool?
>>
>> Many thanks in advance.
>>
>>
>> Flavio Boniforti
>>
>> PIRAMIDE INFORMATICA SAGL
>> Via Ballerini 21
>> 6600 Locarno
>> Switzerland
>> Phone: +41 91 751 68 81
>> Fax: +41 91 751 69 14
>> Url: *http://www.piramide.ch
>> *E-mail: *[email protected]*--
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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>> and start using them to simplify application deployment and
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>>
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Start uncovering the many advantages of virtual appliances
> and start using them to simplify application deployment and
> accelerate your shift to cloud computing.
> http://p.sf.net/sfu/novell-sfdev2dev
> _______________________________________________
> BackupPC-users mailing list
> [email protected]
> List: https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/backuppc-users
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> Project: http://backuppc.sourceforge.net/
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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and start using them to simplify application deployment and
accelerate your shift to cloud computing.
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