On Fri, Feb 04, 2005 at 02:43:55PM -0500, Gil Naveh wrote: > hello, > > I have a few question in mind so I'll be able to better configure it. > 1) So far I tested Amanda and backed up data on a hard drive and am quit > happy with the results. Recently we got a new tape drive and I need to start > backing up our data into taps. I am going to use the same Amanda server and > clients. Should and if so how do I initialize Amanda so it won't care about > previous backups? Additionally I'll probably have to do some more testing in > order to see how much time/bandwidth Amanda uses when it backup to our tape > drive. But after doing those tests - can I delete those files from the tape?
I'd start a different config for the tape. Currently you probably do a cronjob with amdump vtapeconfig, simply comment that out entry and add an amdump realtapeconfig. That way, if you ever need to do vtape backups again, you can just uncomment it. > > 2) I understand that Amanda has its algorithm that decides when do to a full > backup, or an incremental one. > But I am a little confused with labeling tapes. (amlabel) > When I used the hard-disk I define each hard-drive 'partition' as 4GB and > then amlabel each disk e.g. > #/usr/sbin/amlabel DailySet1 HISS01 slot 1 > #/usr/sbin/amlabel DailySet1 HISS02 slot 2 ... > However, I have tapes that each can store 400 compress data, and we have > to store about 30GB - am I domed to use each tape for one backup yes > - or can I 'partition' those tapes? no What some who have a large holding disk(s) space is to let several dump runs collect on the holding disk(s) by not putting a tape in the drive. Amrecover, I'm pretty sure, works with the taped or holding disk dumps. Then insert a tape and amflush them to tape. > Do I have to put each tape in the tape drive and run amlabel? yes > > 3) We have a local and remote sites that we have to backup any thoughts, > comments on what should I keep in mine before doing so. Additionally any > recommendation for what to use to secure our data when backing up remotely? > I read that I can use TCP wrappers but how do I implement it with Amanda? Don't bring them all on line at the same time. Make all your disklist entries but put a # sign to comment them out. Uncomment a couple each dump. Run amcheck with several from each client uncommented BEFORE even thinking about a dump. Maybe use your vtape config to test drive a client before moving them to the big show. > > 4) Finally, we have one tape drive and about 20 servers that we need to > backup from. Some of those servers run on Solaris, some on Windows. Can I > back all servers on the same tape, or do I need to set separate tapes for > Win machines? > Both can share a config. Lots of ways to do the M$ machines, none fully satisfactory. Samba clients to one or several of your unix hosts, nfs shares if your M$ boxes are nfs servers (possibly from M$'s free Services For Unix product - SFU), some windows backup program that writes to a file and backup that single file/directory with amanda, install cygwin on each box and install amanda so it looks like a unix host. Many limitations to backing up M$ boxes, set your expectations low and you won't be unhappy. -- Jon H. LaBadie [EMAIL PROTECTED] JG Computing 4455 Province Line Road (609) 252-0159 Princeton, NJ 08540-4322 (609) 683-7220 (fax)