mksnap_ffs woes

[Ean Kingston]

> Francisco Reyes wrote:
>
>> In my experience databases DO NOT like file system backups unless the
>> database is NOT running. The more heavily you use the database the least
>> it will play nice with file system backups.
>
> Unfortunately we have no choice.

Sorry if this has been mentioned before but have you considered a
split-mirror-backup? It would involve some downtime but only a few minutes
for each backup. It would be cheaper than replacing all the clients.

>> Is using the database backup routines an option?
>
> Nope.
>
>> Does the database has any type of replication?
>
> Nope again.
>
>>> BTW, we have almost no room for changes on the client side :(
>>
>> What is the client side?
>
> Some *old* PCs (need ISA slots) running an old DOS [wannabe] application
> (actually a plethora of .BAT files and some .EXEs) on Windows 95 or 98 :(
> Not even the firm who made that crap is willing to put their hands on it.
> Replacing the software would mean replacing the hardware (not only the
> PCs, but the attached machines too) at multiple sites, which would mean
> a HUGE amount of money; that's behind my power and is to be considered
> out of question.
>
>> Given that you said it is in Samba is seems it's some type of windowd
>> database. Is it a workgroup type of DB like Access or Foxpro? SQL
>> server?
>
> It's some bunch of DBFs with associated indexes and God only knows what
> else. Given the clients need to be up 24/7, I though of filesystem
> snapshots as the only solution.
>
> I'll keep trying a bit more, since it seems doing them on a daily
> schedule doesn't do any harm. The problems so far have only arisen when
> I manually started a backup script (possibly interrupting it, cleaning
> up, and starting again).
>
>   bye & Thanks
> 	av.
>
> P.S. The firm who sold that crap, also implemented the file server
> before mine; just without any RAID and/or backup facility. These data
> are vital to that business.

-- 
Ean Kingston
    E-Mail: ean_AT_hedron_DOT_org
 PGP KeyID: 1024D/CBC5D6BB
       URL: http://www.hedron.org/