Re: [cobalt-users] Scheduled Backup Failed

["Robert G. Fisher" <rfisher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, Aug 11, 2000 at 08:40:10AM -0400, Mike Johnston wrote:
> I am not using a script to run the backup.  I am using the browser based GUI
> to accomplish my admin tasks.  I am afraid I am a newbie to the Unix and
> Linux world and am a bit too busy to learn the intricacies of the better
> ways of administering the machine.  You can set up a scheduled backup with
> the GUI however there is little control over how and when it runs using this
> method.  I know there are better ways to do these admin tasks but for
> efficiency I can't beat the GUI right now.

I don't use the GUI backup system, anyone who's ever tried to 
transfer large files via HTTP can tell you how well...BAD an
idea that is.  Not to mention if the GUI goes down, you still
need to understand how to restore...

Ahh...It makes sense to me now and I understand your predicament.
However, I still suggest you spend time looking into better ways
to backup your system.  Go to http://linuxdoc.org -- read the
Systems Administrator Guide (SAG) and Network Administrators Guide
(NAG) to get an introduction to the more fundamental concepts of
administering a Linux system.

Small hint, the cobalt backups are created via tar, you can use tar
to go directly to a file and use similiar mechanisms w/o worrying 
about ftp and so forth -- or even use tar in combination with 
rsh/ssh to pipe it to another machine where it can be archived to
tape...or if you can connect a tape drive directly to a scsi port
on the machine then DO IT ;-).

Trust me on this, I know from personal experience how wrong I 
was to think I was too busy to work out a feasible backup and
restore strategy.  You will spend far less time planning than
you will trying to restore w/o a feasible backup/restore plan
and dealing with upset customers and managers who are either
threatening or simply leaving -- or letting you know that your
salary and/or employment is going to be negatively affected
or outright terminated.

-- 
Robert G. Fisher		     NEOCOM Microspecialists Inc. 
System Administrator/Programmer      (540) 666-9533 x 116