A "softupdates" problem?

[Matthew Seaman]

On Thu, Jul 03, 2003 at 11:15:14AM +0000, Mark wrote:

> Making a daily server backup, using dump (FreeBSD 4.7R), I keep running into
> a "softupdates" problem. That is, prior to backing up a partition (/var), I
> move a large file (several gigabytes) off that partition. But because of the
> "softupdates" effect, the size of that large file is added to the dump-file
> size, as if it were still on the partition!
> 
> I have been able to circumvent that, in the past, by waiting a few minutes
> before starting the dump (until df reflects the correct size). This is not
> really ideal, though, as I disallow outside connections while in backup (so
> as not to change the /var partion with log-files being filled and such). Is
> there not a command to force 'softupdates' to write out its cache
> immediately?

Hmmm... not an answer to the question you asked, but does not:

    # chflags nodump your-very-large-file

in combination with using the '-h 0' flag to dump(8) let you backup the
partition without including the file in question?

	Cheers,

	Matthew

-- 
Dr Matthew J Seaman MA, D.Phil.                       26 The Paddocks
                                                      Savill Way
PGP: http://www.infracaninophile.co.uk/pgpkey         Marlow
Tel: +44 1628 476614                                  Bucks., SL7 1TH UK
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