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diff --git a/docs/howto/Backup.xml b/docs/howto/Backup.xml new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..a998e700ec --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/howto/Backup.xml @@ -0,0 +1,201 @@ +<chapter id="Backup"> +<chapterinfo> + &author.jht; +</chapterinfo> + +<title>Backup Techniques</title> + +<sect1> +<title>Features and Benefits</title> + +<para> +The Samba project is over ten years old. During the early history +of Samba, UNIX administrators were its key implementors. UNIX administrators +will use UNIX system tools to backup UNIX system files. Over the past +four years, an increasing number of Microsoft network administrators have +taken an interest in Samba. This is reflected in the questions about backup +in general on the Samba mailing lists. +</para> + +</sect1> + +<sect1> +<title>Discussion of Backup Solutions</title> + +<para> +During discussions at a Microsoft Windows training course, one of +the pro-UNIX delegates stunned the class when he pointed out that Windows +NT4 is so limiting compared with UNIX. He likened UNIX to a Meccano set +that has an unlimited number of tools that are simple, efficient, +and, in combination, capable of achieving any desired outcome. +</para> + +<para> +One of the Windows networking advocates retorted that if she wanted a +Meccano set, she would buy one. She made it clear that a complex single +tool that does more than is needed but does it with a clear purpose and +intent is preferred by some like her. +</para> + +<para> +Please note that all information here is provided as is and without recommendation +of fitness or suitability. The network administrator is strongly encouraged to +perform due-diligence research before implementing any backup solution, whether free +software or commercial. +</para> + +<para> +A useful Web site I recently stumbled across that you might like to refer to +is located at <ulink noescape="1" url="http://www.allmerchants.com/Software/Backup_Software/"> +www.allmerchants.com</ulink>. +</para> + +<para> +The following three free software projects might also merit consideration. +</para> + + <sect2> + <title>BackupPC</title> + + + <para> + <indexterm><primary>BackupPC</primary></indexterm> + BackupPC version 2.0.0 has been released on <ulink url="http://backuppc.sourceforge.net">SourceForge.</ulink> + New features include support for <command>rsync/rsyncd</command> and internationalization of the CGI interface + (including English, French, Spanish, and German). + </para> + + <para> + BackupPC is a high-performance Perl-based package for backing up Linux, + UNIX or Windows PCs and laptops to a server's disk. BackupPC is highly + configurable and easy to install and maintain. SMB (via smbclient), + <command>tar</command> over <command>rsh/ssh</command> or <command>rsync/rsyncd</command> + are used to extract client data. + </para> + + <para> + Given the ever decreasing cost of disks and raid systems, it is now + practical and cost effective to backup a large number of machines onto + a server's local disk or network storage. This is what BackupPC does. + </para> + + <para> + Key features are pooling of identical files (big savings in server disk + space), compression, and a comprehensive CGI interface that allows users + to browse backups and restore files. + </para> + + <para> + BackupPC is free software distributed under a GNU GPL license. + BackupPC runs on Linux/UNIX/freenix servers, and has been tested + on Linux, UNIX, Windows 9x/ME, Windows 98, Windows 200x, Windows XP, and Mac OSX clients. + </para> + + </sect2> + + <sect2> + <title>Rsync</title> + + <para><command>rsync</command> is a flexible program for efficiently copying files or + directory trees.</para> + + <para><command>rsync</command> has many options to select which files will be copied + and how they are to be transferred. It may be used as an + alternative to <command>ftp, http, scp</command>, or <command>rcp</command>.</para> + + <para>The rsync remote-update protocol allows rsync to transfer just + the differences between two sets of files across the network link, + using an efficient checksum-search algorithm described in the + technical report that accompanies the rsync package.</para> + + <para>Some of the additional features of rsync are:</para> + + <itemizedlist> + + <listitem> + <para> + Support for copying links, devices, owners, groups, and permissions. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + Exclude and exclude-from options are similar to GNU tar. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + A CVS exclude mode for ignoring the same files that CVS would ignore. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + Can use any transparent remote shell, including rsh or ssh. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + Does not require root privileges. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + Pipelining of file transfers to minimize latency costs. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + Support for anonymous or authenticated rsync servers (ideal for + mirroring). + </para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + + </sect2> + + <sect2> + <title>Amanda</title> + + + <para> + <indexterm><primary>Amanda</primary></indexterm> + Amanda, the Advanced Maryland Automatic Network Disk Archiver, is a backup system that + allows the administrator of a LAN to set up a single master backup server to back up + multiple hosts to a single large capacity tape drive. Amanda uses native dump and/or + GNU tar facilities and can back up a large number of workstations running multiple + versions of UNIX. Recent versions can also use Samba to back up Microsoft Windows hosts. + </para> + + <para> + For more information regarding Amanda, please check the <ulink url="http://www.amanda.org/"> + www.amanda.org/ site.</ulink> + </para> + + </sect2> + + <sect2> + <title>BOBS: Browseable Online Backup System</title> + + + <para> + <indexterm><primary>BOBS</primary></indexterm> + Browseable Online Backup System (BOBS) is a complete online backup system. Uses large + disks for storing backups and lets users browse the files using a Web browser. Handles + some special files like AppleDouble and icon files. + </para> + + <para> + The home page for BOBS is located at <ulink url="http://bobs.sourceforge.net/"> + bobs.sourceforge.net.</ulink> + </para> + + </sect2> + +</sect1> + +</chapter> |