Sonora Communications, Inc.

Multi-Level Backup System

These notes pertain only to SME Server version 7.4 and above.

These notes pertain to configuring what we call "Level 1" backups in a multi-level backup system. We are referring to a backup system that uses a local hard disk to back up server data as well as an on-line backup service for off-site storage.

• Level 1 Backup
  • Uses local hard disk
    • Fast backups
    • Minimal 'backup window' required
    • Fast and convenient restores
• Level 2 Backup
  • Uses on-line backup service
    • Slower than level 1
    • Off-site storage
    • No hardware required
• Typical Scenario
  • Software RAID 5 for primary storage
  • Separate hard drive for backups
  • Hard drive only mounted during backup

Prepare Backup Hard Disk

The following operations are performed at the console as root.

Prepare the Separate Backup Drive

fdisk -l              # Determine which drive is the backup drive - Be sure!
fdisk /dev/sdd        # Add a partition
mkfs.ext3 /dev/sdd1   # Format the partition
mkdir /media/backup   # Create a mount point

pico /etc/fstab       # Modify /etc/fstab and add a line for your drive
                      # The drive is not auto-mounted or fsck'd

/dev/sdd1               /media/backup           ext3    defaults,noauto 1 0

mount /media/backup   # Test the mounting
df -T                 # Show the new filesystem
umount /media/backup  # Unmount the new filesystem

SME Server Backup

The version of backup software in SME 7.4 includes all the functionality described here:

http://wiki.contribs.org/Backup_with_dar

Configuration

Settings will vary! This example is for a dedicated internal level-1 backup drive.

A set is a full backup plus incrementals.

• Configure Workstation Backup -> Local USB Disk
• Number of rotating backup sets: 4
• Daily backups in each set: 7
• Workstation backup time of day: 10:00 PM
• Optional backup session timeout: 8
• Backup compression level: 5
• Full backup is allowed on: Sunday