Disc Backups (dump)?

[Bill Stapleton]

We are currently doing disc backups using the REEL Backup system, which simply
wraps around dump/restore.  We are already having problems with dump on a live
system, and running backups single-user isn't acceptable.  We are soon to get
a new system, as yet unknown, but it will have much more disc, and will probably
run BSD 4.3, same as our current system.  This new system will replace our old
non-Unix mainframe, which has a relatively sophisticated disc backup system
integrated with a virtual file system of nearly 20 G bytes, so we need something
a little more robust.

We're looking for some good disc backup software that provides consistent,
reliable backups on a live system.  We're also looking at "virtual" disc
storage enhancements such as the BUMP system, and at archiving systems.  We'll
consider commercial products or freebies, all or just parts we could "glue"
together.

If you're doing something clever with disc backups or virtual disc storage,
if you've modified or replaced dump/restore for reliability on live multi-user
systems, or if you just want to comment, please send me mail.  I'll post a
summary here in a week or so...

To tie in with the wizards discussion, obviously I think the GNU OS should
have better non-kernel file system support software.  In fact, a general
recognition that the computer is (usually) no longer a PDP in the same room
as all of its users (hackers) would be nice - Better Operator interaction,
reasonable multi-user interface for tapes, etc.

________________________
		        \  "Once a new technology rolls over you, if you're not
Bill Stapleton	         \  part of the steamroller, you're part of the road"
  wls at csd4.milw.wisc.edu  \			-Stewart Brand
	 ...!uwmcsd4!wls   \____________________________________________________