[dtugg]

I have a couple of Linux boxes that I run with various services like: sendmail, httpd, vsftpd, and the like. I've always been told that if you backup the /etc/ directory that you can simply install the new OS (even if it's a different distro) and copy the etc over. This apparently isn't true since i tried it last night and it didn't work.

I guess what I'm asking is for backup help. Can any of you pass along how you back up your NIX boxes?

Thanks,

dtugg

[tsunam]

#!/bin/bash
tar cjpf /backup/current.tar.bz2 / --exclude=current.tar.bz2 --exclude=/proc

add that to your cron job and have it run once a week. you'll have a fresh backup of the entire system once a week

warning: this takes a while!

To restore. put this current.tar.bz2 on a cdrom/dvd-rom. Boot up any live cd. mount your main drive. and copy the tar.bz2 over. untar it and just reinstall the mbr.

[Whiteskin]

The problem probably lies in program versions. It would be a hard time to make sure that all the conf files are for the right version. It might work kinda like window's system restore though.

[dtugg]

Thanks for the replies guys. Anyone else? Not enought HD space on most of my machines for:
tar cjpf /backup/current.tar.bz2 / --exclude=current.tar.bz2 --exclude=/proc

I'm looking at ghosting software now. Hopefully something will come up.

Thanks again.

[Whiteskin]

well, the most important directory is /home. So I'd back that up somwhere. After that, it just depends on what you want to save, and what you are willing to rebuild.

[Whiteskin]

YOu may also want to look into this. http://mkcdrec.ota.be/project/