On Tue, 19 Aug 1997, Elliot Smorodinsky wrote:
> What system configuration files would you keep in hard copy to
> facilitate disaster recovery if *both* your disks and your backups
> somehow fail?
My thanks to the list for the prompt and exhaustively accurate replies.
Most of you pointed out (and very correctly indeed) that if my backups
are gone then I am up the proverbial creek no matter *what* I have
printed out, and advised me to formulate and implement a coherent backup
olicy, with backups being periodically stored offsite.
Here is the list of files that one would need a hard copy of to
facilitate reinstalling the system after a crash (which is what I was
asking).
o /etc/passwd
o /etc/group
o /etc/inittab
o /etc/fstab
o /etc/exports
o /etc/hosts
o /etc/sysconfigtab (DIGITAL)
o /sys/conf/KERNEL (depends on which kernel you want to backup)
o the output of disklabel -rp rzX, where X is each drive number
o the output of recent 'df -k' runs
o the output of recent 'du -sk /*' runs
o An 'ls -lR' of /etc/fdmns
o A full volprint(8) listing.
o files in the SIA directory if we're using C2
o files in the path/httpd/conf directory of the webserver
o configuration files of major applications (i.e. Oracle)
o /etc/routes
o /etc/rc/config
o Anything you've changed in the /sbin/rc/rc* files
In addition, Alan Rollow (alan_at_nabeth.cxo.dec.com) gives the following
invaluable piece of advice:
"If you use a cataloging backup product remember to keep a backup of the
catalog and core system disk that isn't in that particular backup
format." -- a piece of advice I heartily second, as this particular
problem has bitten me more than once.
In general, thanks to the following people for a quick and precise response:
Alan Rollow (alan_at_nabeth.cxo.dec.com)
Flannon Jackson <flannon_at_du.edu>
Mathew Hennessy <hennessy_at_adone.com>
"Robert L. McMillin" <rlm_at_syseca-us.com>
Jason Neil <Jason_Neil_at_CITYMAX.CO.UK>
Received on Wed Aug 20 1997 - 15:04:12 NZST