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From: root@mustang.dell.com (jrh)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.i386
Subject: Re: Backup utilities for ix-386
Keywords: backup ix-386
Message-ID: <3741@dell.dell.com>
Date: 18 Oct 89 23:05:50 GMT
References: <107@gizzmo.UUCP> <185@softest.UUCP> <[253554b6:333.1]comp.unix.i386;1@vpnet.UUCP> <11954@watcgl.waterloo.edu>
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The -B option to cpio on 386/ix uses 5120 byte records to the tape, where
the normal default is 512 bytes without this option.  This is really a
slow backup, because the tape constantly seeks back and forth.  Using the
-Cbufsize option can speed up the backup process considerably.  I usually 
use something like the following:

find / -print | cpio -oacmudC128000 > /dev/tape &

This will use 128k byte records (approx.) and decrease overall backup time
by half or more depending upon the amount of data.  Of course, if you run
your backups via cron at 3AM, it won't really matter will it?  ;-)



James R. Howard
Dell Computer Corporation  P#: (512) 343-3480
9505 Arboretum Blvd.	   !s: cs.utexas.edu!dell!mustang!jrh	
Austin, Texas 78759