These notes have been tested only on SME Server version 8, but they will probably work on SME 7 as well.

http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:Administration_Manual:Chapter10#To_Workstation_or_USB_Drive

http://wiki.contribs.org/Backup_with_dar

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.

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

The following operations are performed at the console as root.

See also Advanced Format (4K Sector) Drive Partitioning

fdisk -l                             # Determine which drive is the backup drive - Be sure!
fdisk /dev/sdx                       # Add a partition
mkfs.ext3 -m 1 -L backup /dev/sdx1   # Label and format the partition

For very large drives, the -m 1 switch reserves only 1% of the disk space as reserved blocks.

Here we configure SME Server to mount the L1 backup drive in the same place every time.

mkdir /media/backup             # Create a mount point
vim /etc/fstab                  # Modify /etc/fstab and add a line for your drive
                                # The drive is not auto-mounted or fsck'd

LABEL=backup            /media/backup           ext3    defaults,noauto 1 0

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

Before continuing to the configuration stage, you must reboot. Otherwise, the new backup disk will not be available as a choice of disks to back up to. If you see the Backup share set to nolabel, you forgot to reboot.

reboot

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

A set is a full backup plus incrementals.

This problem has apparently been fixed in newer updates of SME 8.

vim /home/e-smith/db/configuration

Search for 'backupwk' and edit the line to remove “^M”

/etc/e-smith/events/actions/workstation-backup-dar