Microsoft Word Hardware Reconfiguration Methodology V final2

Data-related factors

An important factor for determining the appropriate backup scheme is the type of data to be backed up. The data type, its location, availability, and correlation to the operating system will largely determine which tool or tools can be used. The following subsections are an in-depth examination of these various factors.

1. Data type

A determining factor for selecting the appropriate type of backup scheme will depend on whether the data is operating system, user, or application-based. Furthermore, the data type will influence the selection of the backup tool. Operating system data should only be backed up using Dump or DD (for reasons to be examined further on) while user and application-based data can generally be backed up using any of the four aforementioned tools. These issues are examined in the different subsections below.

2. Special attributes

A determining factor for selecting the appropriate type of backup scheme will depend on whether there are special filesystem attributes that need to be backed up. Backup tools Tar and Cpio cannot capture special file and filesystem attributes. These files can, however, be backed up using DD and Dump.

3. Devices

A determining factor for selecting the appropriate type of backup scheme will depend on whether there are device files to be backed up. Devices files can be backed using all of the various tools. However, if the devices are locked, in use, or are automatically skipped by some of the tools then DD and Dump can be used. Since device files rarely use extended attributes, assuming the device files are accessible, the tools Tar and Cpio should be able to backup them up.

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