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Backup \ Restore

Offline david000

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Backup \ Restore
« on: November 30, 2021, 05:22:07 PM »
Hi all.

I've recently upgraded to SME10 and have the server manager backup set to a regular console backup to a NAS drive on the network.

Should I need, I understand the restore procedure to be:

Install SME10 in a fresh box
Manually configure 
Restore using server manager.

During the upgrade I used the console backup which seems to remember the configuration. Is it possible to set up an automated 'console' style backup which can save to a NAS as opposed to a USB ?  I suppose the issue then would be to copy the back up file onto a USB drive for restore.

On Affa, I understood that issuing the 'raise' command would effectively recreate an exact mirror of the original SME10 but reading the documentation that seems not to be case ? 

Offline ReetP

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Re: Backup \ Restore
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2021, 05:32:41 PM »
During the upgrade I used the console backup which seems to remember the configuration. Is it possible to set up an automated 'console' style backup which can save to a NAS as opposed to a USB ?  I suppose the issue then would be to copy the back up file onto a USB drive for restore.

Set it up via the server-manager - it is easier and can be automated on a schedule. Your NAS is just a SMB file store.

Read the manual.

Quote
On Affa, I understood that issuing the 'raise' command would effectively recreate an exact mirror of the original SME10

You can do a "restore" which pulls all the files and config back from the Affa storage server to your server, or you can do "rise" which converts the Affa storage server into the actual server. Rise takes about as long as it takers to reboot and reconfigure - minutes.

Quote
but reading the documentation that seems not to be case ?

Where exactly?
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Offline david000

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Re: Backup \ Restore
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2021, 06:54:43 PM »
Set it up via the server-manager - it is easier and can be automated on a schedule. Your NAS is just a SMB file store.

Read the manual.

Yep, that's where I came across the info - I may have miss interpreted...

Quote
If you use any add on contrib for backup purposes eg Affa or Dar2 or whatever, then after doing a fresh reinstall of the sme OS, the first thing you do is reinstall the backup contrib and do some basic configuration manually. Then you would restore using that contrib, then you can reinstall all other contribs etc.

Quote
Where exactly?

https://wiki.koozali.org/Backup_server_config#Backup_and_Restore_concepts.2C_issues_and_other_information


Quote
You can do a "restore" which pulls all the files and config back from the Affa storage server to your server, or you can do "rise" which converts the Affa storage server into the actual server. Rise takes about as long as it takers to reboot and reconfigure - minutes.

Thank you,  I didn't realise you could do the first. Doing the "rise" was how I expected to use it.   I'll set up a test box and try testing the SME10 alpha.
 


Offline Stefano

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Re: Backup \ Restore
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2021, 11:16:00 AM »
create a configuration backup using one of the method you'll find here
https://wiki.koozali.org/Backup_server_config#Backup_the_server_configuration
and then just use rsync or the zipped/scpedd way

once you have the config (i.e. all SMES's database and mysql database) you can transfer your data as you prefer

Offline david000

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Re: Backup \ Restore
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2021, 01:15:56 PM »
create a configuration backup using one of the method you'll find here
https://wiki.koozali.org/Backup_server_config#Backup_the_server_configuration
and then just use rsync or the zipped/scpedd way

once you have the config (i.e. all SMES's database and mysql database) you can transfer your data as you prefer

Thanks, I'll have a read :)

Offline ReetP

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Re: Backup \ Restore
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2021, 06:37:50 PM »
Quote
'raise' command would effectively recreate an exact mirror of the original SME10 but reading the documentation that seems not to be case

Quote
Yep, that's where I came across the info - I may have miss interpreted...

Yup.

Nothing much except 'bit for bit' copy will restore it exactly as before. Easy if you use Proxmox and VMs or other disk cloning methods.

That is because most backup methods do not include the core OS stuff, nor additional programs that you have installed.

Your server essentially comprises:

1. Server inc packages & basic config < restore from a download/DVD etc
2. Additional contribs/packages < restore with yum install packagename
3. Configuration items < stored in the server DBS and backed up for you
4. Data < files and emails etc < backed up for you

Disk cloning/VM saves etc do 1 & 2

Affa and others will store all the most important configuration items to enable you to restore your server, plus the data. So they save 3 and 4 above.

But they do not include any of additional RPMs/packages/programs you may require.

Affa does do a 'extras rpms installed' list so you can see what you need to add back.

You can also add include/exclude extra directories, but again this would not really cover installed RPMs/packages which  need to be added via an installer.

HTH
...
1. Read the Manual
2. Read the Wiki
3. Don't ask for support on Unsupported versions of software
4. I have a job, wife, and kids and do this in my spare time. If you want something fixed, please help.

Bugs are easier than you think: http://wiki.contribs.org/Bugzilla_Help

If you love SME and don't want to lose it, join in: http://wiki.contribs.org/Koozali_Foundation

Offline david000

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Re: Backup \ Restore
« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2021, 09:52:26 PM »

Affa does do a 'extras rpms installed' list so you can see what you need to add back.

You can also add include/exclude extra directories, but again this would not really cover installed RPMs/packages which  need to be added via an installer.

HTH

It does.

When I set up the destination affa machine originally, I installed any additional RPMs so that the installed list matched on both source and destination machine. I'd have thought that ticked boxes 1 to 3 before the backups started, and the backups looked after 4 in anticipation of 'rise'.

But as my Dad says "You know what thought did..."*

*Actually I've no idea what that might mean  :D 

Offline ReetP

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Re: Backup \ Restore
« Reply #7 on: December 02, 2021, 04:29:17 PM »
LOL.

Yes, it is very difficult to make sure that you get exactly the same packages installed - it is a best guess scenario ;-)

The only guaranteed way to replicate is a bit for bit copy /snapshot etc.

Beyond that YMMV depending on how far you have been dipping your fingers in the internals!

...
1. Read the Manual
2. Read the Wiki
3. Don't ask for support on Unsupported versions of software
4. I have a job, wife, and kids and do this in my spare time. If you want something fixed, please help.

Bugs are easier than you think: http://wiki.contribs.org/Bugzilla_Help

If you love SME and don't want to lose it, join in: http://wiki.contribs.org/Koozali_Foundation

Offline david000

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Re: Backup \ Restore
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2022, 05:03:11 PM »
Just to pick this up again.

Assuming all goes south badly, I'd expect to do a fresh install on replacement hardware from USB to make a clean install.

Is it then the case that I could copy the most recent workstation backup to a USB hard drive and restore from there ?   

Otherwise I suppose I would set up the path back to NAS location the workstation backups up too and restore using the server manage ?


Offline ReetP

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Re: Backup \ Restore
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2022, 05:14:46 PM »
I can't remember what format workstation backup saves in as I never use it.

Assuming it is a tar.gz like the console backup then yes either restore from workstation or copy to USB and restore from the console - you need to check this.

Yes, you can restore from your NAS BUT make sure it is using SMB3..... otherwise your SME might have a hissy fit and not want to connect. It is possible to downgrade to earlier SMB versions, but if you don't understand the difference then don't touch......

(Note you may need smeserver-wsdd if you use Window machines on you network)

All this has been commented on multiple times so please take some time to read, and then test.
...
1. Read the Manual
2. Read the Wiki
3. Don't ask for support on Unsupported versions of software
4. I have a job, wife, and kids and do this in my spare time. If you want something fixed, please help.

Bugs are easier than you think: http://wiki.contribs.org/Bugzilla_Help

If you love SME and don't want to lose it, join in: http://wiki.contribs.org/Koozali_Foundation

Offline TerryF

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Re: Backup \ Restore
« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2022, 12:29:18 AM »
Assuming all goes south badly, I'd expect to do a fresh install on replacement hardware from USB to make a clean install.
Is it then the case that I could copy the most recent workstation backup to a USB hard drive and restore from there ?   

Straight answer No, workstation uses dar format, console is different.

Quote
Otherwise I suppose I would set up the path back to NAS location the workstation backups up too and restore using the server manage ?

Yes can be done, backup dir names will need to be addressed but can be done.
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