Can anyone help me with the most preferred way to do backups in Linux? I am using RedHat 9, and need to script my backup to DDS3 tape. I know that some use "dump" and "restore", some other methods are "find using cpio", and another method is using "tar". What is the best way to do a scripted, cronjob, backup? And do you have a sample script that I can learn from? I am new to the Lenux world and use fbackup in HP-UNIX which works well and I would like to have something that works as well for my Linux servers.
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This is what I presently use:
BCAT=/tmp/backupcat.log

echo 'date' Starting backup to tape >> $BCAT

dump 0f /dev/st0 / >> $BCAT
dump 0f /dev/nst0 /home >> $BCAT
dump 0f /dev/nst0 /tmp/mytest.txt >> $BCAT
#Does dump do Individual files and sub directories?

echo 'date' Completed backup to tape >> $BCAT
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The only thing being written to the log file is the echo string and I am not sure that this is the best backup for me. Suggestions?

For backups, I prefer DAR . It takes a bit of study and trial to get it working the way you want it to work. There is an excellent tutorial included in the package.

You can direct Dar to write the backup to any kind of storage media. You can make full and differential backups.

One of the best features is that each file is backed up individually, unlike tar. So, if a file in the archive is corrupted somehow, you risk only that one file; not the entire archive.

Restore is quite easily done.

Dar is a command-line, scripted utility. The GUI frontend to Dar is kdar. I've used both with good results.

It also lends itself well to cron scheduling.

For backups, I prefer DAR . It takes a bit of study and trial to get it working the way you want it to work. There is an excellent tutorial included in the package.

You can direct Dar to write the backup to any kind of storage media. You can make full and differential backups.

One of the best features is that each file is backed up individually, unlike tar. So, if a file in the archive is corrupted somehow, you risk only that one file; not the entire archive.

Restore is quite easily done.

Dar is a command-line, scripted utility. The GUI frontend to Dar is kdar. I've used both with good results.

Thanks a lot for your reply. I was just looking at simplebackup, as my manager suggested it to me. However, I will also take a look at Dar and KDar.
Thanks again!