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Collaborative Computational Project Number 14

for Single Crystal and Powder Diffraction

CCP14

Using the GPL'd DAR backup software for Linux to create backup archives of CCP14 web server data areas onto DVD-RAM discs

The CCP14 Homepage is at http://www.ccp14.ac.uk

[Back to CCP14 Web/Config Main Page]

[Why use DAR | Where to get DAR | Compiling and installing DAR]
[Configuring DAR for Backups] | [Configuring DAR for Restore] [Restoring individual files and directories]


Why use DAR (Disk ARchive)

Seemed to be the most appropriate at the time of all the backup software tested (May 2002). Is flexible enough to handle DVD-RAM drives; recover individual files and was being actively maintained at the time (May 2002).


Where to get DAR (Disk ARchive)


Compiling and Installing DAR on Linux

  • To extract the install file, grab the latest tar.gz file from the Apache website and type gzip -d < dar.tar.gz | tar xvof -

  • Go into the dar subdirectory and then do:
    • ./configure
    • make
    • Then as root: make install (this installs into /usr/local/apache2)
    • done!

  • Now for the more tricky part of configuration.

Creating a backup in DAR

May 2002: still working out if best to format the DVD-RAM discs in UDF format so that the disk can be read on other DVD-RAM drives installed on different operating system (UDF utilties are still kludge prone under Linux by the looks)

  • udftools for Linux
    • At http://packages.debian.org/testing/otherosfs/udftools.html
    • At http://linux-udf.sourceforge.net
    • mkudffs - Format a device, creating an empty UDF filesystem
      • mkudffs --media-type=dvdram /dev/hdd

    • cdrwtool - Low-level drive management (e.g. set writing speed, format)
    • pktsetup - Set up a packet writing device (/dev/pktcdvd0) for a drive
      • cdrwtool -d /dev/hdd -q
        pktsetup /dev/pktcdvd0 /dev/hdd
        
        mount -t udf /dev/pktcdvd0 /mnt
         ...
        umount /dev/pktcdvd0
        pktsetup -d /dev/pktcdvd0

    • Make sure you have the following in the Redhat 7.3 /etc/rc.d/rc.local
      # Get the system able to read DVD UDF packet writing format
      # cat /proc/filesystems will check that this is being used
      
      /sbin/modprobe udf
      
      


    backing up the /web_logs partition area

    Insert a 4.7Gig DVD-RAM disk (though is ~4.3 Gig in computer size) in the DVD-RAM drive and as root mount it:

    Then format the disk using (still got to decide if worth getting UDF format and tools working):

    mkudffs --media-type=dvdram /dev/hdd

    (Old Linux partition type: mke2fs -b 2048 /dev/hdd)

    mount /dev/hdd /storage/dvd

    To create the backup then type:

    dar -c /storage/dvd/web-logs -s 4270M -p -b -z -R /web_logs -X "*.dar"

    Or if a smaller disk:

    dar -c /storage/dvd/web-logs -s 2100M -p -b -z -R /web_logs -X "*.dar"

    (dar will prompt when the disk is full - do a [control] Z to stop the program, unmount the old DVD-RAM disk; format the disk using mkudffs --media-type=dvdram /dev/scd0; then mount the DVD-RAM disk (mount -t udf /dev/sdc0 /storage/dvd); and then type fg to get back into dar and continue.

    To check the DAR archive:

    dar -l /storage/dvd/web-logs


    backing up the /web_disc partition area

    Insert a 4.7Gig DVD-RAM disk (though is ~4.3 Gig in computer size) in the DVD-RAM drive and as root mount it:

    Then format the disk using (still got to decide if worth getting UDF format and tools working):

    mkudffs --media-type=dvdram /dev/hdd

    (Old Linux partition type: mke2fs -b 2048 /dev/hdd)

    mount -t udf /dev/hdd /storage/dvd

    (Old Linux partition type: mount /dev/hdd /storage/dvd)

    To create the backup then type:

    dar -c /storage/dvd/web-data -s 4300M -p -b -z -R /web_disc -X "*.dar"

    (dar will prompt when the disk is full - do a [control] Z to stop the program, unmount the old DVD-RAM disk; format the disk using mkudffs --media-type=dvdram /dev/scd0; then mount the DVD-RAM disk (mount -t udf /dev/sdc0 /storage/dvd); and then type fg to get back into dar and continue.

    To check the DAR archive:

    dar -l /storage/dvd/web-data

    Notes

    -S 2200 - if the first DVD is smaller than the rest

    -P /storage/dvd (only if / - so as not to backup the backup disk; not applicable as Mondorestore is the system disaster recovery system)


Configuring DAR for Restore

If a complete disaster, run Mondorestore to restore the Linux system back on the IDE system disk.


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