(tar)Backup Parameters

Scripted Backups

Backup Levels

Backups and Restoration

Setting Parameters for Backups and Restoration
==============================================

     *(This message will disappear, once this node revised.)*

   The file `backup-specs' specifies backup parameters for the backup
and restoration scripts provided with `tar'.  You must edit
`backup-specs' to fit your system configuration and schedule before
using these scripts.

FIXME: This about backup scripts needs to be written: BS is a shell
FIXME: script ....  thus ... `backup-specs' is in shell script
FIXME: syntax.  xref Script Syntax, for an explanation of this syntax.
FIXME:
FIXME: whats a parameter ....  looked at by the backup scripts ... which
FIXME: will be expecting to find ... now syntax ... value is linked to
FIXME: lame ...  `backup-specs' specifies the following parameters:

`ADMINISTRATOR'
     The user name of the backup administrator.

`BACKUP_HOUR'
     The hour at which the backups are done.  This can be a number from
     0 to 23, or the string `now'.

`TAPE_FILE'
     The device `tar' writes the archive to.  This device should be
     attached to the host on which the dump scripts are run.
     FIXME: examples for all  ...

`TAPE_STATUS'
     The command to use to obtain the status of the archive device,
     including error count.  On some tape drives there may not be such a
     command; in that case, simply use `TAPE_STATUS=false'.

`BLOCKING'
     The blocking factor `tar' will use when writing the dump archive.

     FIXME: xref Blocking Factor
     .

`BACKUP_DIRS'
     A list of file systems to be dumped.  You can include any directory
     name in the list--subdirectories on that file system will be
     included, regardless of how they may look to other networked
     machines.  Subdirectories on other file systems will be ignored.

     The host name specifies which host to run `tar' on, and should
     normally be the host that actually contains the file system.
     However, the host machine must have GNU `tar' installed, and must
     be able to access the directory containing the backup scripts and
     their support files using the same file name that is used on the
     machine where the scripts are run (ie. what `pwd' will print when
     in that directory on that machine).  If the host that contains the
     file system does not have this capability, you can specify another
     host as long as it can access the file system through NFS.

`BACKUP_FILES'
     A list of individual files to be dumped.  These should be
     accessible from the machine on which the backup script is run.
     FIXME: same file name, be specific.  through nfs ...

backup-specs example

Script Syntax