UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Just want to know when a daily backup is carried out, what commands are used to check whether or not the backup has completed. I am aware of the ls -l command which gives the log size.

thanks

When you execute your backup script, test the return code of the command and take an action when necessary.

Example :

#!/bin/ksh
host=`hostname`

ufsdump 0uf /dev/rmt/0 /your_filesystem

if [ $? -ne 0 ];then
echo "BACKUP ERROR in the $host"
echo "BACKUP ERROR in the $host" > /tmp/bkp_msg_error.txt
mailx -s "BACKUP ERROR" your_email@your_domain < /tmp/bkp_msg_error.txt
fi


or


#!/bin/csh
set host=`hostname`

ufsdump 0uf /dev/rmt/0 /your_filesystem

if ( $status != 0) then
echo "BACKUP ERROR in the $host"
echo "BACKUP ERROR in the $host" > /tmp/bkp_msg_error.txt
mailx -s "BACKUP ERROR" your_email@your_domain < /tmp/bkp_msg_error.txt
endif

P.s.: Use the mailx command if you have a sendmail in your host.


I hope help you !

It depends which flavour of Unix you are using. You can use lots of different backup techniques. If you are using HPUX SAM does a backup and you can check it as well, if you don't want to get to scripting yet. If you are using Solaris then ufsdump is a good example. You can check this with "ufsrestore". If you define a cronjob then you will automatically receive an email.

Cheers.