Questions concerning backups

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#1 Mon, 03/12/2012 - 16:44
elliott94

Questions concerning backups

Hi.

I've just attempted to restore a virtual server from a Virtualmin backup, and had a couple of questions about the process.

When I enitially created the backup, I wasn't given the option of including mailboxes and messages; however, when backing up global Virtualmin options, I noticed a setting entitled "Include Unread Mailbox Messages". So, taking these options into account, do they automatically get included into the backup file, and what's the point of the other option?

Finally, when trying to restore from the backup, I encountered the problem of Virtualmin trying to re-create the Linux user that corresponded to my virtual server which failed; that particular username already existed on the system because I created it manually to transfer some files. Is there a way to tell Virtualmin not to create this user, but to copy the data to the correct user folder in /home?

Thanks.

Elliott.

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 17:08
andreychek

Howdy,

Hmm, I'm not sure what that option is that you're seeing.

Normally, both read and unread messages are located within the users $HOME/Maildir folder... so I'm not sure what the distinction it's describing there is, since the entire home folder would be backed up.

I'd expect all email to be included in a typical Virtual Server backup -- unless somehow the default mail location was changed to store some email outside of $HOME. But that wouldn't happen by default.

As far as the existing user you have goes -- there isn't an easy way to handle that. I'd recommend renaming the user that currently exists on your system, so that the backup can re-create it with the settings from your previous server.

-Eric

Tue, 03/13/2012 - 08:46 (Reply to #2)
elliott94

Hi, thanks for your help.

Hmm, interesting. The username issue isn't such a problem; I can obviously use the "usermod" command to temperarily change the username, but I've still got know idea about the mailbox issue. Does anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks.

Tue, 03/13/2012 - 12:07
jscholes

Hi Elliott,

When I enitially created the backup, I wasn't given the option of including mailboxes and messages;

This is because by default, as Eric pointed out, all mail is stored under your home directory.

however, when backing up global Virtualmin options, I noticed a setting entitled "Include Unread Mailbox Messages".

The option I believe you are referring to is "New mailbox email messages" (found under the "Virtualmin settings to also backup" section. This will simply ensure that if you have made any changes on the System Settings > Email Messages > New Mailbox Email page, they will be stored in the backup. This is perhaps only useful if you are backing up all virtual servers rather than just one or a certain selection.

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