Backup system

[phazeman]

Is there any way to backup the whole system ? Something like GHost for windows ?
I use MDK 8.1 (and like it a lot)

[Nalle]

I think I've given my answer once about this before, but here's a copy:"


"I for my part never make an image of the whole disk.
I create packages of what I install from source, keep all my installed apps that is not on the distro-cd in /usr/src and keep my path as clean as possible. I also save the tagfile from the setup-script.

Using Slackware I use an app called 'checkinstall' in stead of 'make install' when compiling a package. Checkinstall creates Slackware packages (can also create RPM's) while installing, so I can remove the app with my package manager, and next install requires no compiling - I just install the package that 'checkinstall' created. Saves me a lot of time when reinstalling, and have the advantage over ghost that you can choose not to install some packages you no longer need.

If I for some reason need to reinstall the whole machine, I've backed up (by making a tar.gz) /etc, /home, /var/spool (for mail etc - I use sendmail), /root, /var/www and /usr/src exclusive /usr/src/linux (that is on the cdrom or in a tar.gz-file if I'm using a newer version).

Having that backed up, I only install from scratch with the tagfile I've crated to choose packages, untar the tar.gz-files in their appropriate places, run lilo and reboot the system. Now my machine is as it was before the mishap. It all takes about an hour, and leaves you with a system that is just as good as a ghost would have made it.

At the same time, I set of some time to examine the tagfile so that the knowlege I've accumulated since last install also makes my next install better than the last. After that, I create a new tagfile.

If your kernel has been updated, you can also save out a tagfile for recompiling that, leaving you with only the actual compile time when restoring your "new" kernel.

</nalle>

[eXtremist]

I had to reinstall a few days ago, and I saved myself a lot of trouble by TARring the directories I needed.

I tar'd my /home, and also my /opt (where I've been installing software lately).

I didn't need to backup my WHOLE system, since most of it was gonna be recreated upon install.

I know this answer doesn't help you much, but sometimes tar'ing is the best solution. It keeps permissions, owner, group, plus you can gzip it if you like.

[demian]

I didn't actually try the program but it seems to be able to clone you installation on either a set of CDs or another HD. Check out http://mkcdrec.ota.be/ for more info.