Open Souce edition backup advise

glennbtn · Post by **glennbtn** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:09 am

Hi All
Since I started using Zimbra (currently I have a v7 and v8 edition running) I have stopped the zimbra services and then rsynced the opt/zimbra directory. I used this on my fist machine move from Centos 5.5 to Ubuntu 10.4 on v6.
I have been reading a 13 page heated post on here about backups and ldap and a file which seems to come across as possible 80gb. Now I am still a novice when it comes to Linux and I know if I search on here I will find lots of example of backups but an now confused whether any of these will be correct. I did notice a Zimbra employee saying we should not even be using rsync but with open source editions our options are a little limited.
I am looking for some advise here as to what I should really be doing in the way of backups just for security and even in the event of moving to a new server.
Thanks
Glenn

chauvetp · Post by **chauvetp** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:35 am

I cannot speak to the open source backups (since we're on the commercial edition) and I don't have experience with the open source backup methods.
In terms of moving to a new server, I highly recommend this wiki page on this. We've used these steps several times (usually for OS upgrades):

Ajcody-Notes-Server-Move - Zimbra :: Wiki

phoenix · Post by **phoenix** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:44 am

[quote user="glennbtn"]Since I started using Zimbra (currently I have a v7 and v8 edition running) I have stopped the zimbra services and then rsynced the opt/zimbra directory.[/QUOTE]If this a a 32bit to 64bit move then you need to follow the Zimbra Certified wiki article on this subject, you must also move the same zimbra version (as you have installed on the current server) on the new server.

glennbtn · Post by **glennbtn** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:48 am

Thanks all
But what should 1 be doing for backup's these days after reading this post I am confused about backups

Thanks
Glenn">http://www.zimbra.com/forums/administra ... 86gig.html
Thanks
Glenn

phoenix · Post by **phoenix** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:05 am

[quote user="glennbtn"]But what should 1 be doing for backup's these days after reading this post I am confused about backups[/QUOTE]Are you asking a question about backups or moving ZCS to a new server? The 80GB sparse file is only relevant to ZCS 8.x and quanah has given details in that thread about what's needed for backing-up that file.

Krishopper · Post by **Krishopper** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:44 pm

Best recommendation is to store the /opt/zimbra partition on an LVM volume. Then to backup, shut down the server, make a snapshot of the volume, and start the server. You can then rsync the consistent snapshot or use another method to back that up to your backup location.
There are several example scripts around the forums and wikis showing how to set this up.

Federico Bertola · Post by **Federico Bertola** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 8:31 am

You're right Kris,
for a reliable backup using rsync or snapshot, all services must be shutting down!

But I suggest to take a look to the only realtime back solution for Zimbra OSS with no downtime.