Q:  What is a good strategy for backing up a system?

A:  The following is a suggested method of backing up a system using dump(8).

1.	Install and configure the software on the system as desired.

2.	Generate files depending solely on the release:

·	cat pagesÐcatman(8).
·	Index the header files (/usr/include)ÐDigital Librarian.
·	Install desired packages from the CD-ROM.

3.	Perform a phony level 0 dump (use one of the following):

·	dump 0uf /dev/null /dev/rsd0a
	· Takes longer
	· Simpler

·	Edit the file /etc/dumpdates
	· Takes less time
	· Slightly more complicated
	· Put a line such as the following in the file:

	/dev/rsd0a       0 Tue Sep 19 12:19:40 1989

	The easiest way to get such a line truely properly formatted is to copy another one.  Format [from dumpdates(5)]:

	ª-16%s %c %sº

	Key: those blanks are not tabs!

4.	Configure the system (NetInfo, restore users, etc.).

5.	Perform a level 1 dump.

·	Phony if everything is simply restored.
·	Real if work was needed.

	mount /dev/od0a /DUMP
	dump 1ufo /DUMP/clients-1.dump /dev/rsd0b
	umount /dev/od0a
	disk -e /dev/rod0a

	The file name clients-1.dump is based on the file system name (where it's usually mounted; here, assumed to be /clients) and the dump level.

6.	PUT THE RELEASE DISK, THE UPGRADE DISK, AND THE LEVEL 1 DUMP IN A VERY SAFE PLACE.  It even makes sense to make a second level 1 dump.

	Now you're ready for normal operations.

7.	Each day, perform an incremental dump.

·	Level 9.
·	Rotate media each day (multiple sets precludes destroying the most recent dump if today's dump fails).

8.	Each week, do a weekly dump

·	On the first week of the month, do a level n dump:
	· n is 1 if there was no configuration work done.
	· n is 2 if configuration work was done.
·	The second week, do a level n+1 dump.
·	Etc.
·	Rotate media, using at least two sets.

9.	Each month, do a monthly dump.

·	A monthly dump is a level n dump (n as in step 8).
·	Rotate media, using at least two sets

10.	Repeat the cycle, rotating media using at least two sets.

QA416

Valid for 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1