We are setting up a Linux Redhat 8.0 box running Squirrel Mail. I am searching for a backup solution to backup not only data, but also the system files. I want the ability to restore data and restore the entire system if the case warrants. Because of this, I fear tar will not suffice. In my windows world, I use Arcserve, however, neither Arcserve nor Veritas offer Redhat 8.x support. Will any agents, database, open file manager, etc be required to successfully backup a Squirrel Mail server

Any other suggestions as to a good backup solution?

Thanks in advance,
DJ
Redhat 8.0
Squirrel Mail

Are you looking for tape backup, rsync offsite backup..?

Tape Backup. The server has an 80 gig drive, so probably a DLT solution.

What exactly is wrong with tar? This seems to be exactly what tar was created for (and not only seems to be, but in fact was).

Can tar be used in a disaster recovery situation? I read somewhere that tar doesn't do system files. That is why I was staying away from it.

tar can backup any file it can read.

Now it is true that it's a bad idea to tar (or otherwise backup) special device files (such as those in /dev and pipes). Special files should always be created, never extracted.

The only good backup for those is a script that creates them.