VanLUG Email Archive
Ya`akov N. Miles (ynmiles@ibm.net)
Sun, 21 Feb 1999 21:48:52 -0800
I use BRU to make "snapshots" of my disks. They are not true snapshots
in that BRU understands the EXT2 file system and does not back up empty
space. Also, it can be told to exclude certain files (eg CD-ROM images)
by the use of wild cards in an easy-to-learn configuration file.
My backup device is a 12 gigabyte Seagate "Python" .dat tape jobbie. BRU
routinely reports that the backups averaged 1.3 megabytes/second to my
(scsi) Python .dat tape. After writing a backup (only one volumeset per tape)
BRU will "scan" the backup by reading to the NULL device the contents of
the tape, checking for errors. This is a step above tar, which will quite
happily write garbage if your tape drive is malfunctioning. Compression is
a command line option (-Z, most of the commands are the same as for tar) which
I have disabled because it eats CPU like crazy on my Pentium P266/MMX and
because my Python already has hardware compression.
More info about my tape drive. It cost me about $3K (canadian) including
a five-year on-site warranty. It is an internal unit packaged in an external
case, with very easily alterable SCSI id (currently set at 2). I have enabled
parity (default is no parity checking) and have enabled auto-test at power-up
(default is no auto-test, test means it requires five seconds off-line. Big Deal)
As with all SCSI devices, if the Python is not powered up when I boot Linux,
I am unable to use it until the next reboot. This is because Linux auto-probes
SCSI devices at boot time and only recognizes those that answer. I bought 15
Sony .dat tapes to beat the stupid Federal tax, which applies to .dat tapes...
Also have on order or on hand a total of five cleaning .dat tapes.
-- Linux - it isn't just for breakfast anymore... mailto:ynmiles@ibm.net Note http://www.cheapbytes.com for (almost) free Linux & freeBSD CD-ROMs and http://www.mit.edu/afs/sipb/user/xiphmont/cdparanoia for CD ripper also http://www.happyhacker.org/hwgstart.html - Enjoy...
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