How to restore root filesystem from backup
Hi, I have a newly installed SuSe Linux SLES 8.1 on a Compaq H/W with a scsi SDLT tape drive and I am using the Linux native dump command to backup all ext3 type filesystems to tape on a nightly basis, backup works well and I can use restore to verify the backup. My question is in the event of a disaster how do I restore/recover the root filesystem and /boot to a new hard disk from the tape so it can be booted up again with all original system settings. I have experience in recovery of the Sun Solaris system but not too sure about how to do this under Linux. Much Thanks, Regards, Daniel Lim ****************************************************************************** This email message, including any attached files, is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. The NSW Department of Commerce prohibits the right to publish, copy, distribute or disclose any information contained in this email, or its attachments, by any party other than the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender and delete it from your system. No employee or agent is authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the NSW Department of Commerce by email. The views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Department, except where the sender expressly, and with authority, states them to be the views of NSW Department of Commerce. The NSW Department of Commerce accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this email and recommends that the recipient check this email and any attached files for the presence of viruses. ******************************************************************************
On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 16:51, Daniel Lim wrote:
Hi, I have a newly installed SuSe Linux SLES 8.1 on a Compaq H/W with a scsi SDLT tape drive and I am using the Linux native dump command to backup all ext3 type filesystems to tape on a nightly basis, backup works well and I can use restore to verify the backup. My question is in the event of a disaster how do I restore/recover the root filesystem and /boot to a new hard disk from the tape so it can be booted up again with all original system settings. I have experience in recovery of the Sun Solaris system but not too sure about how to do this under Linux.
Much Thanks, Regards, Daniel Lim
I suggest you look at mondo rescue and use this for backing up. The easiest way would be to create a bootable CD or DVD (easy to do with mondo) with the essential parts of the O/S on it. Then use the tapes as the backup. That way you can use the CD/DVD to create a new instance of your O/S then with the tapes you can restore your latest data. This site is dedicated to Suse & Mondo http://www.mikenjane.net/~mike/ The main site for mondo is http://mondo.30below.com/index.html -- Regards, Graham Smith ---------------------------------------------------------
Daniel Lim wrote:
Hi, I have a newly installed SuSe Linux SLES 8.1 on a Compaq H/W with a scsi SDLT tape drive and I am using the Linux native dump command to backup all ext3 type filesystems to tape on a nightly basis, backup works well and I can use restore to verify the backup. My question is in the event of a disaster how do I restore/recover the root filesystem and /boot to a new hard disk from the tape so it can be booted up again with all original system settings. I have experience in recovery of the Sun Solaris system but not too sure about how to do this under Linux.
I've done this several times, but from hard drive to hard drive or tar ball to hard drive. You can follow the same procedure to replicate systems too. I've read from the linux kernel mailing list that dump is deprecated. I've always been happy with tar. Also check 'star' for more sofisticated file ACL setups. To recover, I follow roughly this process: 1. Install new drive in same "position" than old one (same /dev/hda#, etc.) 2. Partition and create filesystems in the same way as old old disk if you wish. 3. Boot the suse installation cd in rescue mode 4. Mount the new media, say /mnt of the rescue environment 5. Restore from the backed-up media. The next steps will restore the boot manager GRUB to the new disk. 6. Reboot with the suse cd again, this time select "Installation" and pass the boot parameter "1" to boot in single user mode later. 7. Follow the screens till you have the choice of "Boot installed system". After you select this, the installer detect a bootable root filesystem on your disks and offer a selection or just continue booting if there is only one. This will boot the restored disk. You will end up at a login prompt. 8. Re-install the boot manager with: grub-install /dev/hda 9. Reboot. There may be a way to reinstall the boot manager on step 5, somebody in the list may know. You can also use "Repair Installed System" in step 7 (it takes more time though). -- Rafael
participants (3)
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Daniel Lim -
Graham Smith -
Rafael E. Herrera