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dump – For backing up EXT2 or EXT3 FILESYSTEMS

The dump command in Linux is a backup utility that is used to create an archive of an ext2 or ext3 filesystem. This command is used to create a backup of a filesystem that can be used to restore data in case of data loss or corruption. The dump command is also used to backup data to a remote server or a tape drive.

Overview

The dump command is used to create a backup of a file system. The syntax of the command is as follows:

dump [options] filesystem device

Here, filesystem is the name of the filesystem to be backed up, and device is the device file for the filesystem. For example, to backup the /home directory, the command will be:

dump -0u -f /backup/home.dump /dev/sda1

This will create a backup of the /home directory and store it in the /backup directory with the name home.dump.

The dump command has several options that can be used to customize the backup process. Some of the most commonly used options are:

  • -0: This option specifies the level of the backup. The level 0 is a full backup, and subsequent backups are incremental backups.
  • -u: This option updates the /etc/dumpdates file, which keeps track of the last backup date and level for each file system.
  • -f: This option specifies the name of the backup file.
  • -z: This option compresses the backup file.

Options

The following table lists all available options for the dump command:

Option Description
-0 Specifies the level of the backup.
-1 Specifies a level 1 incremental backup.
-2 Specifies a level 2 incremental backup.
-3 Specifies a level 3 incremental backup.
-4 Specifies a level 4 incremental backup.
-5 Specifies a level 5 incremental backup.
-6 Specifies a level 6 incremental backup.
-7 Specifies a level 7 incremental backup.
-8 Specifies a level 8 incremental backup.
-9 Specifies a level 9 incremental backup.
-a Backs up all files, including those that have not been modified since the last backup.
-b Specifies the size of the blocking factor.
-f Specifies the name of the backup file.
-h Displays the help message.
-l Lists the contents of a backup file.
-n Does not perform the backup.
-s Displays the status of a backup.
-u Updates the /etc/dumpdates file.
-v Verbose output.
-z Compresses the backup file.

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some troubleshooting tips for the dump command:

  • If the backup process fails, check the device file and make sure it is correct.
  • If the backup file is too large, consider compressing it using the -z option.
  • If the backup process takes too long, consider using a higher level of backup.

Notes

  • The dump command is not recommended for use with ext4 filesystems.
  • The dump command requires root privileges to run.
  • The dump command can be used with remote servers using the ssh command.

Related commands