Are there any services that will do this for you? Or what do you guys use to backup your server? Right now I don't even backup the server, I need to start backing it up ASAP...so any help is greatly appreciated.

DO NOT use the backup feature cobalt has... it will crash your system if you have over 1GB of data up there...

I suggest you use some of the Legato backup methods or so

There was a thread active recently discussing this (should still be on this page or maybe the next).

Originally posted by inoverse
Are there any services that will do this for you? Or what do you guys use to backup your server? Right now I don't even backup the server, I need to start backing it up ASAP...so any help is greatly appreciated.

The backup method I most often install for clients is a combination of ssh, rsync and perl. If you have two servers (or one server, and your workstation computer running Linux or similar), that is very easy to setup - as you simply make a backup of one server onto the other. When using rsync this is very easy, and do not use very much bandwidth (even if you're doing backups several times a day). If you have only one server, then there exists services (including our firm) that let you use their servers for storing the backups.

If you have just one server, and do not wish to use other services, then you can for example install another drive in the RaQ and simply mirror everything on that drive (using rsync).

You can also choose to buy a tape drive for the RaQ; but note that most hosting companies charge fees for having to replace the tapes.

Can you elaborate on how to do it with perl and ssh?

Also how does the Legato method work?

thanks

Originally posted by pgowder
Can you elaborate on how to do it with perl and ssh?
Also how does the Legato method work?


Yes, the perl, ssh and rsync solution works like this:

rsync is a program that copies file from one location to another. It can further "synchronize" them, so that only changes are copied over (much faster, uses much less bandwidth). This is the program that does the backup.

ssh is used to encrypt the backup while in transfer (we don't want anyone snooping on the contents of our backup). It also provides an easy and secure way to let the backup server login to the main server (or vice versa).

perl is the stuff that glues it all together. It is called reguarly via crontab (some may choose once an hour, others want once a day, etc.). It does more advanced stuff like for example saying you want a full backup every Sunday, but only "incremental" backups the other days, etc. It can also be used to email status reports to the admin, etc.

I'm interested in having someone do it for me as I don't want to take any chances with anything...but http://www.mermaidconsulting.com/ doesn't work?

LOL, I guess it does now, nevermind. Thanks.

Do you have such a script? How much is your service?

thanks

but I don't see anything about server backups?

Originally posted by inoverse
I'm interested in having someone do it for me as I don't want to take any chances with anything...but http://www.mermaidconsulting.com/ doesn't work?

Sorry, we had a router replaced. The downtime shouldn't have been more than a few minutes.

Originally posted by pgowder
Do you have such a script? How much is your service?


We do make custom scripts for each customer.

Please email me for more information: jens@mermaidconsulting.dk

(This board is not for advertising)

Originally posted by inoverse
but I don't see anything about server backups?

It's not listed on our front page no. I think it's described if you click the rsync link on the server updates page.

But anyways, just email me for more information: jens@mermaidconsulting.dk

Thanks

Well well Well ....But some people have only one raq... and then people who have raq at rackshack can not expect that rackshack will offer them any space to do the back up ..or install another drive ..which i guess is not possible with raq4i and then they don't even have the option of raq4r which comes with a mirror drive ....so now how do you back up the server :rolleyes: :eek:

at your home computer :confused: ... HELP !!!

Backing up cobalts can be a pain, I don't like their little utility. You can write your own scripts then ftp it another box, you can use someone like Ibackup.com or one of the others, but they all make you install software on your server, in my opinion that is not good, you are just waiting to have that software bug out or be compromised.

Part of the reason I started my company is when I worked at an ISP and all of the problems we had keeping good backups of our client servers, ones that they could use to restore and what not. Also when or if we went down or the server died, they were dead in the water until we got things back up.

<<MOD EDIT: Removed the ad portion of the post.>>

Originally posted by inquisitive
Well well Well ....But some people have only one raq... and then people who have raq at rackshack can not expect that rackshack will offer them any space to do the back up ..or install another drive ..which i guess is not possible with raq4i and then they don't even have the option of raq4r which comes with a mirror drive ....so now how do you back up the server

Well, either you:

1. Use your workstation to do backups on.

This can be possible if you have a fast internet connection (cable, xDSL, similiar). But you must check how fast you will be able to do a restore (if it takes you 3 days to upload the backup from your computer to the server, then it's probably not a good idea).

Or you can:

2. Buy backup space at a provider

There exist several providers of backup space on the internet. Some require the use of special programs.

They normally charge for the bandwidth and drive space used.

Originally posted by smartbackups
<<EDIT: Removed due to being removed above, I don't think it affects the conversation between you two.>>

Yes, but that only works for static sites. If you have got a site with PHP, databases, etc. - it probably won't work.

Your service seems to be targetted towards single sites - they guy who asked the original question wants to backup his _server_. I asked your chat support what the costs would be for having 8 gigabytes (typical RaQ server size) backupped daily, they said it costs 1904$ a month. For that kind of money, it would be cheaper to simple lease another server and do your backups to that server.

Also it seems you do copying by FTP. People should consider this fact, as it probably means that you will be transferring all your data each time a backup is made. I.e. an extensive amount of traffic (imagine you have a server with 8 gigabytes and you want to do a daily backup -- that means 240 gigabytes extra transfer each month).

You didn't finish talking to us before you posted.

Yes they could do that, but we support, php, mysql and pgsql, and soon MS flavors. We have taken in to account sites that are not static and we can meet those needs. Hence the cost. If you site is making money each month then this service is definitely needed. We do not merely back up sites, but offer a way to have your service up and running in minutes after a server failure.

No we do not do a full backup each time, it only backs up files that have changed.

Originally posted by smartbackups
You didn't finish talking to us before you posted.

Why waste time? :-)


Yes they could do that, but we support, php, mysql and pgsql, and soon MS flavors. We have taken in to account sites that are not static and we can meet those needs.

From our conversation (chat) I learned that you do take measures to support PHP/MySQL (by dumping the databases and restoring them on your server while waiting for the real server to come back online again).

If you site is making money each month then this service is definitely needed. We do not merely back up sites, but

Sure, but most guys here have very tight budgets, and can better afford spending perhaps 200$ a month for another server (that can also host clients).

Much agreed, that is why there are so many services and options out there. We are but one of many. I would hope that most folks around here can see the value of our service and can make an intelligent decision regarding the differences between what we offer and what they need to do.