Grub - how to boot a copy of Linux (full system backup)


 
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# 1  
Old 01-23-2013
Debian Grub - how to boot a copy of Linux (full system backup)

Hi All,

I have successfully backup & restore (using tar) one of my Debian Lenny Servers.

On the restore server (standby machine), everytime i have to erase the disk & extract the tar backup.

I want to extract the tar on the running restore server on a directory for e.g /systembackup-01, /systembackup-02, etc.. & be able to boot one of the backup using grub.

Thanks to help me on this.

coolAtt
# 2  
Old 01-28-2013
Hammer & Screwdriver consider "mondo" :)

- have you heard about "mondo" ?

- it's GPL disaster recovery solution.

--> Mondo Rescue - GPL disaster recovery solution

- checki it out, and if possible, give it a try...

BTW in order for grub to boot from some partition, it must be able to find a "boot sector" (or "boot record") already there.

(in your case, you should at least use `dd' to save your boot sector, and restore it along with your 'tar' stuff..

ok ?

HTH

good luck, and success !

alexandre botao
("comets never dodge")
# 3  
Old 01-29-2013
Quote:
Originally Posted by botao
- have you heard about "mondo" ?

- it's GPL disaster recovery solution.

--> Mondo Rescue - GPL disaster recovery solution

- checki it out, and if possible, give it a try...

BTW in order for grub to boot from some partition, it must be able to find a "boot sector" (or "boot record") already there.

(in your case, you should at least use `dd' to save your boot sector, and restore it along with your 'tar' stuff..

ok ?

HTH

good luck, and success !

alexandre botao
("comets never dodge")
I think u didnt understand me.
Let me clarify.
I do FULL backup of my Debian Lenny 5 server (machine A) using tar.
The restore of tar backup is Ok..its working great on the spare machine (machine B).

Code:
/
 etc
 dev
 root
 bin
 etc...

Now on the above running system (the spare machine) i want to create a directory
named "SystemBackup02":


Code:
/
 etc
 dev
 root
 bin
 SystemBackup02
 etc...

Next time I want to
1. untar the contents of my backup in the "SystemBackup02"
directory.
2.change ip in /SystemBackup02/etc/network/interfaces & modify other confs
3.add an entry in grub, telling grub that it can also boot from this directory.

so the aim is to be able to boot from several versions of system backup
# 4  
Old 01-29-2013
OK, first question - are you using GRUB Legacy or GRUB2? Second question - will SystemBackup02, etc, be on a separate partition or filesystem?
# 5  
Old 01-30-2013
Quote:
Originally Posted by fpmurphy
OK, first question - are you using GRUB Legacy or GRUB2? Second question - will SystemBackup02, etc, be on a separate partition or filesystem?
1. Am using Debian Lenny 5 & its using GRUB Legacy.

2. "SystemBackup02" will be on the same disk, created in / (root)
# 6  
Old 02-02-2013
Its easy, a two step process.
You only need to edit grub.conf to add another boot option only for the vmlinux image you get into SystemBackup02/boot directory. Run 'install-grub /dev/<device holding SystemBackup02>'.

Hope both primary and backup machines have same architecture & device configurations!!!

A word of caution: It's a bit risky with little scope for mistakes; however don't assume that you are doomed on your mistake (until you delete your own data), if the backup system doesn't boot. You'll need to re-boot them again with a backup CD images and mount the drives temporarily and re-do the process correctly, BUT this time differently (mind that mounting may change paths). I've landed into mess and bounced back too but tensions run always high.
# 7  
Old 02-04-2013
Quote:
Originally Posted by Praveen_218
Its easy, a two step process.
You only need to edit grub.conf to add another boot option only for the vmlinux image you get into SystemBackup02/boot directory. Run 'install-grub /dev/<device holding SystemBackup02>'.

Hope both primary and backup machines have same architecture & device configurations!!!

A word of caution: It's a bit risky with little scope for mistakes; however don't assume that you are doomed on your mistake (until you delete your own data), if the backup system doesn't boot. You'll need to re-boot them again with a backup CD images and mount the drives temporarily and re-do the process correctly, BUT this time differently (mind that mounting may change paths). I've landed into mess and bounced back too but tensions run always high.
Do I need to absolutely reinstall Grub? (Its a bit scary for me even though its not a PROD Machine Smilie )

Also note that the "SystemBackup02" is just another directory on the same disk /dev/sda.
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