Solaris UNIX tape backup and recovery with tar and cpio command

Posted by Vivek Gite [Last updated: April 22, 2007]

Q. We have recently brought a new Sun Solaris UNIX server. How do I Backup data and make a recovery for the Solaris OS?

A. Sun Solaris UNIX comes with various commands and utilities to make a backup and recovery job:

a) tar command
b) cpio command

Task: Use tar command to backup /data and /home directory

Usually /dev/rmt/0 is tape device name.
To create a new tar file you can type:
# tar cvf home-back.tar /home /data /etc/file1

To create a new tape backup use:
# tar cvf /dev/rmt/0 /home /data /etc/file1

Task: Display the contents of a tar file/tape

Pass tvf option to tar command:
# tar tvf home-back.tar
OR
# tar tvf /dev/rmt/0

Task: Restore files from tar file / tape

To extract the tar file to the current directory type:
# tar xvf home-back.tar # tar xvf /dev/rmt/0

Understanding tar command options:

x : Extract tar file
v : Verbose
f : filename : Use to specify file name / tape device name
t : List tar file contents

Task: Backup files with cpio command

You can also use cpio command, which copies files into and out of a cpio archive. The cpio archive may span multiple volumes. The -i, -o, and -p options select the action to be performed. For example copy all *.c files to tape device or file called prog.cpio:
# ls *.c | cpio -oVc > /dev/rmt/0
OR
# ls *.c | cpio -oVc > prog.cpio

Task: Restore file using cpio

To copy from tape back to a directory, use the command as follows:
# cpio -icvD < /dev/rmt/0
OR
# cpio -icvum < /dev/rmt/0

Task: View the contents of cpio

Use the command as follows:
# cpio -ict < /dev/rmt/0

Understanding cpio command options:

i : (copy in) Reads an archive from the standard input and conditionally extracts the files contained in it and places them into the current directory tree.
c : Reads or writes header information in ASCII character form for portability.
t : Prints a table of contents of the input.
o : (copy out) Reads a list of file path names from the standard input and copies those files to the standard output in the form of a cpio archive.
v : Verbose
u : Use for an unconditional copy; old files will not replace newer versions.
m ; Retains previous file modification time.
d: Create as many directories as needed.