Re: rhbackup or other script

[Alan Mead <adm ipat com>]

At 01:45 PM 8/5/99 -0400, you wrote:
>Perhaps I missed it Alan, but I don't think you ever told us exactly what
>this data file is. Is it a plain text file? Is it a database? If so, which
>one.

It is currently flat files.  For example, I've implemented one-time-use
passwords using the Apache's standard htpasswd authentication so that file
is being written to each time a visitor leaves (actually, each time a
visitor is booted:).  But I did not specify because if the flat files get
too big and slow, I'll have to switch to an indexed approach.

Assuming that I stick with flat files for a while, only my scripts and CGI
are writing to them so I can write a script fragment or perl command that
makes sure they are closed and then copies them before backing things up.
I think what I'll do is modify the existing scripts to make rotating
backups or use a versioning system and then backup the whole system every
morning.  

What I lack is the considered opinion of people who have or use a backup
script.  For example, not having a compare seems a glaring omission in the
rhbackup script.  Also, I like retensioning the tape a couple times before
I write to it and while the commands would be easy to slip in, I don't know
enough shell script to capture the output and determine whether there was
an error.

So I hoped someone had a tried script that I could modify instead of
rolling my own.  I've found a couple on deja (boy is it hard to search
deja!) and they are helpful but they are either pretty complex or don't use
a tape.  Thanks for the help!

-Alan

PS - I've asked before and looked around since for a backup-HOWTO.  If
anyone knows of introductory material, please send me a URL.  Thanks!
---
Alan D. Mead  /  Research Scientist  /  adm ipat com
Institute for Personality and Ability Testing
1801 Woodfield Dr  /  Savoy IL 61874 USA
217-352-4739 (v)  /  217-352-9674 (f)