Re: [BackupPC-users] How to delete specific files from backups? (with BackupPC_deleteFile.pl)
Hi, Nick Bright wrote on 2011-05-22 23:27:58 -0500 [Re: [BackupPC-users] How to delete specific files from backups? (with BackupPC_deleteFile.pl)]: On 5/22/2011 7:14 PM, Nick Bright wrote: Sounds to me like the BackupPC_deleteFile script is the way to go: [...] No matter what options I give it, it just won't delete anything. There is a complete void of examples, and there is no indication of what valid inputs are for the arguments are in the documention, so I'm not even sure if I'm doing it correctly. Jeffrey? ;-) I've tried: BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 /var/log/maillog [...] But they all just give the same output - nothing deleted. From that example, the general syntax of the BackupPC_* commands provided with BackupPC, and the expectation that Jeffrey will follow their conventions, I'd expect you need to provide a '-s sharename' argument and probably the path within this share as either relative or absolute path. So, if you have a share '/var', that would be BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 -s /var /log/maillog or possibly BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 -s /var log/maillog (don't know what '-d 4' does, though; aside from that, where did you get '-n -' from? Maybe try '-n -1'?). You probably have a share '/', so it would be '-s / /var/log/maillog' or '-s / var/log/maillog' instead. It really depends on how you set your backups up, because that determines how BackupPC stores them. But I'm just guessing. I'd look at the script, but I don't really have the time right now. Wait for an authoritative answer if you don't feel like experimenting (but you probably do - you've already done so ;-). Hope that helps. Regards, Holger -- What Every C/C++ and Fortran developer Should Know! Read this article and learn how Intel has extended the reach of its next-generation tools to help Windows* and Linux* C/C++ and Fortran developers boost performance applications - including clusters. http://p.sf.net/sfu/intel-dev2devmay ___ BackupPC-users mailing list BackupPC-users@lists.sourceforge.net List:https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/backuppc-users Wiki:http://backuppc.wiki.sourceforge.net Project: http://backuppc.sourceforge.net/
Re: [BackupPC-users] How to delete specific files from backups? (with BackupPC_deleteFile.pl)
Nick Bright wrote at about 23:27:58 -0500 on Sunday, May 22, 2011: On 5/22/2011 7:14 PM, Nick Bright wrote: Sounds to me like the BackupPC_deleteFile script is the way to go: http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/backuppc/index.php?title=BackupPC_DeleteFile I found it some time after posting my original question. I am having a great deal of difficulty getting this to work. It runs OK but the output is just: [hostname][][472 483 507 531 541 551 562 574 584 589 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601][] ANTE[hostname]: BAKS[hostname]: 472 483 507 531 541 551 562 574 584 589 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 POST[hostname]: LOOKING AT: [hostname] [][472 483 507 531 541 551 562 574 584 589 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601][] **NO DELETIONS ON THIS HOST** Files/directories deleted: 0(0) Files/directories copied: 0 Delete attrib set: 0Attributes cleared: 0 Empty attrib files deleted: 0 Errors: 0 No matter what options I give it, it just won't delete anything. There is a complete void of examples, and there is no indication of what valid inputs are for the arguments are in the documention, so I'm not even sure if I'm doing it correctly. I've tried: BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 /var/log/maillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n 600 -d 4 /var/log/maillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n 600 -d 4 /backup/backuppc/pc/hostname/600/f%2f/fvar/flog/fmaillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 /fvar/flog/fmaillog The usage *clearly* gives a list of required input parameters, including share name: -s share Also, the usage says to use '-m' if you want to use unmangled paths. So true there are not any specific examples, but the usage (-h) is rather completely documented... But they all just give the same output - nothing deleted. The key thing that's missing from the documentation is how to specify the file/directory that you would like to delete. Do you specify the file on the local filesystem? Do you specify the file on the remote host that's been backed up? Do you have to specify the full path name, or the relative path name? The path names are relative to the share name (which you have omitted). Leading slash names are optional. Any advice appreciated -- --- - Nick Bright - --- - Are your files safe?- - Valnet Vault - Secure Cloud Backup - - More information 30 day free trial at - - http://www.valnet.net/services/valnet-vault - --- -- What Every C/C++ and Fortran developer Should Know! Read this article and learn how Intel has extended the reach of its next-generation tools to help Windows* and Linux* C/C++ and Fortran developers boost performance applications - including clusters. http://p.sf.net/sfu/intel-dev2devmay ___ BackupPC-users mailing list BackupPC-users@lists.sourceforge.net List:https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/backuppc-users Wiki:http://backuppc.wiki.sourceforge.net Project: http://backuppc.sourceforge.net/ -- What Every C/C++ and Fortran developer Should Know! Read this article and learn how Intel has extended the reach of its next-generation tools to help Windows* and Linux* C/C++ and Fortran developers boost performance applications - including clusters. http://p.sf.net/sfu/intel-dev2devmay ___ BackupPC-users mailing list BackupPC-users@lists.sourceforge.net List:https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/backuppc-users Wiki:http://backuppc.wiki.sourceforge.net Project: http://backuppc.sourceforge.net/
Re: [BackupPC-users] How to delete specific files from backups? (with BackupPC_deleteFile.pl)
Jeffrey J. Kosowsky wrote at about 10:51:01 -0400 on Monday, May 23, 2011: Nick Bright wrote at about 23:27:58 -0500 on Sunday, May 22, 2011: On 5/22/2011 7:14 PM, Nick Bright wrote: Sounds to me like the BackupPC_deleteFile script is the way to go: http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/backuppc/index.php?title=BackupPC_DeleteFile I found it some time after posting my original question. I am having a great deal of difficulty getting this to work. It runs OK but the output is just: [hostname][][472 483 507 531 541 551 562 574 584 589 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601][] ANTE[hostname]: BAKS[hostname]: 472 483 507 531 541 551 562 574 584 589 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 POST[hostname]: LOOKING AT: [hostname] [][472 483 507 531 541 551 562 574 584 589 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601][] **NO DELETIONS ON THIS HOST** Files/directories deleted: 0(0) Files/directories copied: 0 Delete attrib set: 0Attributes cleared: 0 Empty attrib files deleted: 0 Errors: 0 No matter what options I give it, it just won't delete anything. There is a complete void of examples, and there is no indication of what valid inputs are for the arguments are in the documention, so I'm not even sure if I'm doing it correctly. I've tried: BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 /var/log/maillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n 600 -d 4 /var/log/maillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n 600 -d 4 /backup/backuppc/pc/hostname/600/f%2f/fvar/flog/fmaillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 /fvar/flog/fmaillog The usage *clearly* gives a list of required input parameters, including share name: -s share Also, the usage says to use '-m' if you want to use unmangled paths. So true there are not any specific examples, but the usage (-h) is rather completely documented... To clarify, here is the quote from the usage: -s shareShare name (or - for all) from which path is offset (don't include the 'f' mangle) NOTE: if unmangle option (-m) is not set then the share name is optional and if not specified then it must instead be included in mangled form as part of the file/directory names. So, you can do any of the following assuming your share name is '/' With mangling BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 f%2f/fvar/flog/fmaillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -s / -d 4 /fvar/flog/fmaillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -s %2f -d 4 /fvar/flog/fmaillog Without mangling: BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -s / -m -d 4 /var/log/maillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -s %2f -m -d 4 /var/log/maillog You could also use '-s -' to include any share and you could remove the leading slash before (f)var in all but the first example. -- What Every C/C++ and Fortran developer Should Know! Read this article and learn how Intel has extended the reach of its next-generation tools to help Windows* and Linux* C/C++ and Fortran developers boost performance applications - including clusters. http://p.sf.net/sfu/intel-dev2devmay ___ BackupPC-users mailing list BackupPC-users@lists.sourceforge.net List:https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/backuppc-users Wiki:http://backuppc.wiki.sourceforge.net Project: http://backuppc.sourceforge.net/
Re: [BackupPC-users] How to delete specific files from backups? (with BackupPC_deleteFile.pl)
Holger Parplies wrote at about 16:28:06 +0200 on Monday, May 23, 2011: Hi, Nick Bright wrote on 2011-05-22 23:27:58 -0500 [Re: [BackupPC-users] How to delete specific files from backups? (with BackupPC_deleteFile.pl)]: On 5/22/2011 7:14 PM, Nick Bright wrote: Sounds to me like the BackupPC_deleteFile script is the way to go: [...] No matter what options I give it, it just won't delete anything. There is a complete void of examples, and there is no indication of what valid inputs are for the arguments are in the documention, so I'm not even sure if I'm doing it correctly. Jeffrey? ;-) I responded :) I've tried: BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 /var/log/maillog [...] But they all just give the same output - nothing deleted. From that example, the general syntax of the BackupPC_* commands provided with BackupPC, and the expectation that Jeffrey will follow their conventions, I'd expect you need to provide a '-s sharename' argument and probably the path within this share as either relative or absolute path. So, if you have a share '/var', that would be BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 -s /var /log/maillog Correct if /var is the share or if '/' is the share then it would be -s '/' or alternatively -s %2f (which is how it is encoded in your pc directory). Note for /var as the share you could also use the %2fvar encoding. For the file/directory names, the default is to use mangled paths so you would need to write /flog/fmaillog unless you use the '-m' flag to accept unmangled paths in which case /var/log/maillog works fine. The leading / is optional. If using mangled paths then as a special case you can avoid using the share name if you use the full *mangled* and encoded path from root which in this case would be: f%2f/fvar/flog/fmaillog (don't know what '-d 4' does, though; aside from that, where did you get '-n -' from? Maybe try '-n -1'?). structure of incremental backup dependen The '-' allows for a range of backup numbers. Say '20-35' and extending that convention: '-35' is all backups up to 35 inclusive '20-' is all backups from 20 and on '-' is all backups Then by extension for consistency, '-' is also used as the wildcard for host names and share names. Note using '*' as a wildcard is not a good idea since it would need to be quoted to prevent the shell from interpreting it. The '-d' specifies debugging levels so for example you can see what exact hosts/shares/backups are being searched and so you can see the hierarchy of incrementals and what exactly is being deleted/moved etc. to preserve the inheritance based on the specific backup numbers you want deleted. It also allows you to see what attributes are erased vs. marked as type=deleted etc. You probably have a share '/', so it would be '-s / /var/log/maillog' or '-s / var/log/maillog' instead. It really depends on how you set your backups up, because that determines how BackupPC stores them. But I'm just guessing. You guessed right. I'd look at the script, but I don't really have the time right now. Wait for an authoritative answer if you don't feel like experimenting (but you probably do - you've already done so ;-). Hope that helps. I'm sure it helped him, but I just filled in a little more. -- What Every C/C++ and Fortran developer Should Know! Read this article and learn how Intel has extended the reach of its next-generation tools to help Windows* and Linux* C/C++ and Fortran developers boost performance applications - including clusters. http://p.sf.net/sfu/intel-dev2devmay ___ BackupPC-users mailing list BackupPC-users@lists.sourceforge.net List:https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/backuppc-users Wiki:http://backuppc.wiki.sourceforge.net Project: http://backuppc.sourceforge.net/
Re: [BackupPC-users] How to delete specific files from backups? (with BackupPC_deleteFile.pl)
On 5/23/2011 10:14 AM, Jeffrey J. Kosowsky wrote: The usage *clearly* gives a list of required input parameters, including share name: -sshare Also, the usage says to use '-m' if you want to use unmangled paths. So true there are not any specific examples, but the usage (-h) is rather completely documented... Just saying what's expected isn't the same as giving an example of valid input. My root question really came down to What is a share? What goes there?, How do I specify a filename? and What does mangled mean? How do I mangle?. If you already *know* these things, it's very simple. If you don't, then the lack of examples makes it very difficult to understand what to do. I understand what these mean now, thanks to your thorough explanation. To clarify, here is the quote from the usage: -sshare Share name (or - for all) from which path is offset (don't include the 'f' mangle) NOTE: if unmangle option (-m) is not set then the share name is optional and if not specified then it must instead be included in mangled form as part of the file/directory names. So, you can do any of the following assuming your share name is '/' With mangling BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 f%2f/fvar/flog/fmaillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -s / -d 4 /fvar/flog/fmaillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -s %2f -d 4 /fvar/flog/fmaillog Without mangling: BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -s / -m -d 4 /var/log/maillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -s %2f -m -d 4 /var/log/maillog You could also use '-s -' to include any share and you could remove the leading slash before (f)var in all but the first example. Thank you very much Jeffrey. The problem was my lack of understanding regarding what the share name is and represents. Having set it and forget it with BackupPC almost three years ago, I didn't recall those basic concepts. I would suggest, to help out people such as myself who may not be strong in all of the concepts of BackupPC, to put what you've replied to me with on to the wiki page for the BackupPC_deleteFile script, as your explanation is quite clear and concise. Again, thank you for taking the time to reply with very helpful information. -- --- - Nick Bright- --- - Are your files safe?- - Valnet Vault - Secure Cloud Backup - - More information 30 day free trial at - - http://www.valnet.net/services/valnet-vault - --- -- What Every C/C++ and Fortran developer Should Know! Read this article and learn how Intel has extended the reach of its next-generation tools to help Windows* and Linux* C/C++ and Fortran developers boost performance applications - including clusters. http://p.sf.net/sfu/intel-dev2devmay ___ BackupPC-users mailing list BackupPC-users@lists.sourceforge.net List:https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/backuppc-users Wiki:http://backuppc.wiki.sourceforge.net Project: http://backuppc.sourceforge.net/
Re: [BackupPC-users] How to delete specific files from backups? (with BackupPC_deleteFile.pl)
On 5/22/2011 7:14 PM, Nick Bright wrote: Sounds to me like the BackupPC_deleteFile script is the way to go: http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/backuppc/index.php?title=BackupPC_DeleteFile I found it some time after posting my original question. I am having a great deal of difficulty getting this to work. It runs OK but the output is just: [hostname][][472 483 507 531 541 551 562 574 584 589 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601][] ANTE[hostname]: BAKS[hostname]: 472 483 507 531 541 551 562 574 584 589 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 POST[hostname]: LOOKING AT: [hostname] [][472 483 507 531 541 551 562 574 584 589 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601][] **NO DELETIONS ON THIS HOST** Files/directories deleted: 0(0) Files/directories copied: 0 Delete attrib set: 0Attributes cleared: 0 Empty attrib files deleted: 0 Errors: 0 No matter what options I give it, it just won't delete anything. There is a complete void of examples, and there is no indication of what valid inputs are for the arguments are in the documention, so I'm not even sure if I'm doing it correctly. I've tried: BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 /var/log/maillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n 600 -d 4 /var/log/maillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n 600 -d 4 /backup/backuppc/pc/hostname/600/f%2f/fvar/flog/fmaillog BackupPC_deleteFile.pl -h hostname -n - -d 4 /fvar/flog/fmaillog But they all just give the same output - nothing deleted. The key thing that's missing from the documentation is how to specify the file/directory that you would like to delete. Do you specify the file on the local filesystem? Do you specify the file on the remote host that's been backed up? Do you have to specify the full path name, or the relative path name? Any advice appreciated -- --- - Nick Bright - --- - Are your files safe?- - Valnet Vault - Secure Cloud Backup - - More information 30 day free trial at - - http://www.valnet.net/services/valnet-vault - --- -- What Every C/C++ and Fortran developer Should Know! Read this article and learn how Intel has extended the reach of its next-generation tools to help Windows* and Linux* C/C++ and Fortran developers boost performance applications - including clusters. http://p.sf.net/sfu/intel-dev2devmay ___ BackupPC-users mailing list BackupPC-users@lists.sourceforge.net List:https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/backuppc-users Wiki:http://backuppc.wiki.sourceforge.net Project: http://backuppc.sourceforge.net/
