[wellylug] Backup Files - Ubuntu

[Daniel Pittman]

Arands - Wellington <tjmk at actrix.co.nz> writes:

> Can anyone suggest which files should be backed-up to prepare for a
> fresh install of Ubuntu Dapper from an existing Ubuntu Hoary system?
> I have backed-up all the files in the Home Folder (i.e. /home/user),
> as well as the / etc and /usr/local directories.

Well, that covers most stuff.

Some packages (Apache, MySQL, PostgreSQL) store data in /var, so if you
use something like that you may need to store the content of that area.

> Also, is using growisofs to DVD an appropriate back-up method (my
> Nautilus CD/ DVD Creator isn't working) - the back-up files "look" OK
> to me - or is tar better?  

tar is better, because it preserves the ownership and permissions of the
files.  The files in /etc have various different ownership settings and
stuff, and preserving those varies between essential and helpful.

However, if you only want to get at the content (for reference when
configuring new software, say) that may not matter so much.  It only
hurts if you want to copy those files back into place.

Regards,
        Daniel
-- 
Digital Infrastructure Solutions -- making IT simple, stable and secure
Phone: 0401 155 707        email: contact at digital-infrastructure.com.au
                 http://digital-infrastructure.com.au/