How of create an automated backup of system+files
 

I am running FEDORA CORE 4 on a HP Proliant ML350 server. CPU provide additional HDD slots, so i would like to create a complete bootable system + file backup so in the case of a HDD failure i can reboot and restore the server at no significant loss.
I read the HOW TO's on creating a backup system image, but i assume this is only relevant in restoring a 'perfect' system image to a failed system, so of course this is assume that the hardware (HDD) is fine. In my case I want to protect against possible hardware failure.
Does anyone have any ready-made "How-to's" or links you can provide. I must point out that I am very new to this level of system admin.

for a complete and bootable copy of your main hdd, i suggest you setup a raid1 mirror. basically, the 2nd hdd will be an exact replica of the 1st/main hdd. if your 1st hdd dies, the 2nd hdd will automagically take over.

note that this IS NOT a backup solution. if you want backups, you will need something like amanda (for daily, weekly, monthly backups), or rdiff-backup (but u will need to bake your own scripts based on your needs).

Maybe these howtos help you. I use them for backup and server repliaction:

http://www.howtoforge.com/howto_linux_systemimager
http://www.howtoforge.com/dedicated_...e_systemimager

cool... ghost for linux :cool:
ill definately keep this in my toolkit! :)

If you want rdiff-backup, have a look here: http://www.howtoforge.com/linux_rdiff_backup :)

Ok, ryoken have been browsing the tutorials on RAID and i believe you are correct, RAID-1 sounds seems to be the solution. Now after sifting through the online tutorials i have struck a minor concern. Which? tutorial is applicable. I am very much over my head here so recognising that my meddling may result in data loss im a little cautious to proceed, I have done linux installation and rudamentry networking and server admin, but partitioning(after installation) and RAID is a very grey area.

the two most detailed tutorials i have found
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Software-RAID-HOWTO-5.html
http://www.linuxhomenetworking.com/linux-adv/raid.htm

my system looks like this
[root@mylinux ~]# fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 72.8 GB, 72839168000 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 8855 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 13 104391 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 14 8855 71023365 8e Linux LVM

Disk /dev/sdb: 72.8 GB, 72839168000 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 8855 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 1 8855 71127756 8e Linux LVM
[root@mylinux ~]# df -k
Filesystem 1K-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/mapper/VolGroup00-LogVol00
135629888 18940244 109688764 15% /
/dev/sda1 101086 14217 81650 15% /boot
/dev/shm 517272 0 517272 0% /dev/shm
[root@mylinux ~]#

i have 2 physical 80gb hard drive which i want to mirror. ( i notice that in the tutorials the partitions are refered to hdxx where as on my system they are sdxx is this a distro thing? are the tutorials still applicable? any advise?

those 2 tutorials explain the general gist of software raid on linux extremely well. i assume you want something which is more step-by-step. if this is the case, it will be very distro-specific. please let us know what distro you are using. having said that, software raid in linux (provided by md) is pretty standard across all linux distros... so you can probably adapt the instructions even if your distro is different.

before continuing further, ill answer your last question. /dev/hdx is generally idicates that the device is IDE/Ultra ATA. /dev/sdx generally indicates a SCSI or Serial ATA device. this is the general rule of thumb for linux 2.6 kernels. for linux 2.4 kernels, Serial ATA devices could be shown as /dev/hdx.

to setup raid1 on your computer, you will need to decide if you want to use hardware RAID (if available - please let us know what hardware u are using, eg. motherboard with on-board raid, or 3ware PCI-X card?) or software RAID provided by Linux.

there are advantages and disadvantages with both options. you will need to decide for yourself - but a lot of information is out there on the web. please let us know what you have decided. don't forget to mention your hardware specs and the distro you're using.

once we have more info, we can continue further...

Hi ryoken thanks for your support
my distro is
Fedora Core 2.6.11-1.1369_FC4smp
my hardware I'm not so familiar with as it is an out-off-the-box HP Proliant ML350 Server (i am still trying to figure out the spec's)

ryoken - I am learning from the HP website that the Proliant server has Raid support, however i am unable to conclude whether the support is pre-installed prior to shipping since the server did come with a Installation CD and i have been informed by the person who installed the Fedora OS that they DID NOT install anything from the HP Installation cd. Therefore i am unsure if there is any built in support or not, is there any way of checking what has already been installed?

according to HP the Proliant ML350 does have RAID hardware support
http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/s...ver/index.html