Unattended backup with >2G file

[awingnut]

I am trying to set up an unattended backup using dump. I am dumping to a hard drive across my network. My problem is that one of the filesystems generates a file larger then 2G. I canot seem to get the right options so that it does not require operator intervention. It seems that the 'f' and 'M' options are not much help. Can someone tell me how to avoid the prompts for the next volume? TIA.

 

[clonny2]

Depends on what your kernel version and filesystem are. Older versions of the kernel did not support files larger than 2GB, so you might be running into that issue.

 

[awingnut]

Thanks for the reply. The kernel is 2.6.8.1. Even if larger then 2G files are not supported, I should still be able to run dump unattended, shouldn't I? The 'f' option is supposed to automatically generate a new name for the next part of the file. It does do that but is still asks me if I want to rewrite the volume (why would anyone want that anyway?) and then asks if I want to start the next volume. I don't understand why if I an going to a hard drive and not a tape where media needs to be changed.

 

[KenCunningham]

I wonder whether a 'hereis' would be useful in your script? Examples here:

http://www.robelle.com/smugbook/hereis.html

but basically, it just specifies what you want to feed to the script between (for example) <<EOF and EOF (note that the latter must be on it's own line and start at the very beginning of the line). Hope this helps.

 

[awingnut]

Thanks but I already tried that. It seems 'dump' does not use STDIN to get the reply but uses /dev/tty. I guess what you are telling me is that 'dump' cannot work in unatended mode in spite of options impling the contrary.

 

[KenCunningham]

If my understanding is correct (and it might not be, as I don't use Linux on a day-to-day basis), doesn't the -F <script> option described here:

http://linux.about.com/od/commands/l/blcmdl8_dump.htm

fit the bill? It seems to be saying that if a change of media is required, run a script and if the return code of that script is 0, continue without prompting. Presumably the script could be anything (a simple ls perhaps?) which you can be sure will return a 0.

Again, this is mere conjecture and I don't have a system on which to test it.

 

[awingnut]

I'll give that a try. I thought about a script but didn't think it worked that way. Thanks.