In order to backup large data archives I was wondering if there is a command that allows to split a big file into several smaller chunks of specified sizes.
for example to backup

hi there,

to define size per file, you should use the parameter "-b"

regards

slackie1000

... continued (sorry my fingers are too big for this keyboard...)

For example to backup a big archive .tar.gz (> 10Go) into several chunks that could be burned on DVDs ?


The other solution for me would be to specify the chunks sizes before creating the archive, I have a folder containing several thousands of files that I compress using a "tar -czvf command". Can I at this time specify that I want several archive files of given sizes ?

Thanks for your help

hi there,

you can use split to divide the big file according to your wish
should work.

regards

slackie1000

Hi,
Thanks it works !

Split filename -b filesize

A naive question : several files are created, now no problem to backup them but the day I want to unsplit those files how do I proceed ? Shall I simply double click on the first one ?

hi there,

welcome, mate!
you can use
and merge back all of them.

glad to help!

regards

slackie1000

I made a test on a small file (40Mo) that I splitted into 2 files. When in the directory of these 2 files I use simply the command "cat" nothing happen. When I do :

cat file1 file2

no 'final' file is created, the concatenation scroll on the screen

...

hi there,

so you do
and it is done.

with a lot of files, should be better a shell script.

regards

slackie1000

Many thanks for your precious help, I finally can do what I want ...

Regards,

You could try DAR (see my sig) which allows you to perform a compressed backup (using gzip or bzip2 algorithms) splitted in several files with sizes of your choice. It also has many other handy features, even a backup manager.

I told you in the other related thread. To get good and quick answers, you must make good questions. I am not blaming you, just telling we have not learned to read minds. You should explain the problem and what you want precisely.

Now you know you can split files with the 'split' command. Just read 'man split' to know how to use it. Then you save your and our time.

To join all:
1 - Enter 1st dvd
2 - Copy the file, ie: /my_big_file.tar.gz
3 - Enter next dvd
4 - cat /media/dvd/my_big_file.* >> /my_big_file.tar.gz
5 - goto 3

The >> appends to the end of the file. > overwrites.