Practical UNIX

Chapter 16. System and File Backups

Steve “Mor” Moritsugu

Accessing UNIX devices such as tape and disk Backing up and restoring using tar Backing up and restoring using cpio

Tip for Beginners It is important to back up your files periodically to disk or tape. tar and cpio are the most common UNIX commands used for this purpose. You will need to ask someone knowledgeable about your system for help the first time you do this because the device name and access method can differ among UNIX systems. If you run your own UNIX system at home, read the section “Backing Up and Restoring the Operating System.”