Acronis TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0 User Manual
User's Guide
Acronis
True Image Server 8.0
for Linux
Compute with confidence
www.acronis.com
Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux. All rights reserved.
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DISCLAIMED, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH DISCLAIMERS ARE HELD TO BE
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END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
BY ACCEPTING, YOU (ORIGINAL PURCHASER) INDICATE YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS. IF
YOU DO NOT WISH TO ACCEPT THE PRODUCT UNDER THESE TERMS, YOU MAY CHOOSE NOT TO
ACCEPT BY SELECTING "I decline..." AND NOT INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE.
The Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux (the Software) is Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005.
All rights are reserved. The ORIGINAL PURCHASER is granted a LICENSE to use the software only,
subject to the following restrictions and limitations.
1. The license is to the original purchaser only, and is not transferable without prior written
permission from Acronis.
2. The original purchaser may use the software on a single computer owned or leased by the
original purchaser. You may not use the software on more than a single machine, even if you
own or lease all of them, without the written consent of Acronis.
3. The original purchaser may not engage in, nor permit third parties to engage in, any of the
following:
A. Providing or permitting use of or disclosing the software to third parties.
B. Providing use of the software in a computer service business, network, timesharing or multiple-
user arrangement to users who are not individually licensed by Acronis.
C. Making alterations or copies of any kind in the software (except as specifically permitted above).
D. Attempting to un-assemble, de-compile or reverse engineer the software in any way.
E. Granting sublicenses, leases or other rights in the software to others.
F. Making copies or verbal or media translations of the users guide.
G. Making telecommunication data transmission of the software.
Acronis has the right to terminate this license if there is a violation of its terms or default by the
original purchaser. Upon termination for any reason, all copies of the software must be immediately
returned to Acronis, and the original purchaser shall be liable to Acronis for any and all damages
suffered as a result of the violation or default.
ENTIRE RISK
THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS WITH YOU THE
PURCHASER. ACRONIS DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE OR ITS FUNCTIONS WILL MEET
YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR THAT THE OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR
ERROR FREE OR THAT ANY DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED. NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES - IN NO EVENT SHALL ACRONIS OR ITS VENDORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES
WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR THE LOSS OF BUSINESS
PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER
PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF
ACRONIS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
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Contents
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 6
1.1 WHAT IS ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0 FOR LINUX?............................................................................................. 6
1.2 FASTEST RECOVERY..................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 RAPID ROI .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
1.4 DISK DRIVE CLONING AND NEW DISK DRIVE DEPLOYMENT ............................................................................................ 6
1.5 FEATURES OF ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0 FOR LINUX ....................................................................................... 6
1.6 WHAT IS A DISK IMAGE?............................................................................................................................................... 7
1.7 SOFTWARE USAGE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.................................................................................................................. 8
CHAPTER 2. INSTALLATION AND OPERATION............................................................................... 9
2.1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS............................................................................................................................................... 9
2.2 INSTALLING ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0 FOR LINUX ......................................................................................... 9
2.3 RUNNING ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0 FOR LINUX ............................................................................................. 9
2.4 REMOVING THE PROGRAM.......................................................................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER 3. GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION........................................................................ 11
3.1 MAIN PROGRAM INTERFACE UNDER X WINDOW SYSTEM............................................................................................ 11
3.2 WORKING FROM A RESCUE CD................................................................................................................................... 13
3.3 WORKING FROM A REMOTE TERMINAL .......................................................................................................................13
3.4 BACKING UP SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE RAID ARRAYS ........................................................................................... 13
CHAPTER 4. CREATING IMAGES UNDER X WINDOW SYSTEM..................................................... 14
4.1 SELECTING DISKS/PARTITIONS.................................................................................................................................... 14
4.2 SPECIFYING IMAGE LOCATION .................................................................................................................................... 14
4.3 SELECTING IMAGE MODE............................................................................................................................................ 16
4.4 SELECTING IMAGE SIZE .............................................................................................................................................. 17
4.5 SELECTING COMPRESSION LEVEL................................................................................................................................18
4.6 PROTECTING IMAGES WITH PASSWORDS...................................................................................................................... 18
4.7 COMMENTS ABOUT IMAGES............................................................................................................................... ......... 19
4.8 IMAGE CREATION SCRIPT............................................................................................................................................ 20
CHAPTER 5. RESTORING DISKS (PARTITIONS) FROM IMAGES UNDER X WINDOW SYSTEM..... 21
5.1 SELECTING IMAGES TO RESTORE................................................................................................................................. 21
5.2 SELECTING A PARTITION TO RESTORE ......................................................................................................................... 22
5.3 SELECTING A LOCATION TO RESTORE TO..................................................................................................................... 22
5.4 SELECTING PARTITION TYPE....................................................................................................................................... 23
5.5 SELECTING A FILE SYSTEM ......................................................................................................................................... 24
5.6 SELECTING RESTORED PARTITION SIZE........................................................................................................................ 25
5.7 RESTORING SEVERAL PARTITIONS AT ONCE................................................................................................................. 26
5.8 RESTORATION SCRIPT................................................................................................................................................. 26
5.9 RESTORING A DISK (PARTITION) FROM A RESCUE CD..................................................................................................27
CHAPTER 6. CONSOLE MODE........................................................................................................ 29
6.1 CREATING AND RESTORING IMAGES IN THE CONSOLE MODE (TRUEIMAGECMD)............................................................ 29
6.1.1 Supported commands ...................................................................................................................... 29
6.1.2 Trueimagecmd usage examples....................................................................................................... 31
6.2 AUTOMATIC IMAGE CREATION USING CRON SERVICE .................................................................................................. 31
6.3 RESTORING FILES WITH TRUEIMAGEMNT .................................................................................................................... 32
6.3.1 Supported commands ...................................................................................................................... 32
6.3.2 Trueimagemnt usage examples........................................................................................................ 34
CHAPTER 7. DATABASE SUPPORT ................................................................................................ 35
7.1 DATABASE START/STOP WHEN CREATING IMAGE UNDER X WINDOW .......................................................................... 35
7.2 SCHEDULING DATABASE START/STOP FOR AUTOMATIC BACKUP .................................................................................. 35
7.3 AUTOMATIC DATABASE START/STOP INSIDE TILS_FREEZE_HOOK SCRIPT ..................................................................... 35
CHAPTER 8. TRANSFERRING THE SYSTEM TO A NEW DISK......................................................... 37
8.1 GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................................ 37
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Contents
8.2 SECURITY ..................................................................................................................................................................38
8.3 EXECUTING TRANSFERS ............................................................................................................................................. 38
8.3.1 Selecting transfer mode................................................................................................................... 38
8.3.2 Selecting the source disk ................................................................................................................. 38
8.3.3 Selecting the destination disk .......................................................................................................... 39
8.3.4 Partitioned destination disk.............................................................................................................. 40
8.3.5 Old and new disk partition layout.................................................................................................... 40
8.3.6 Old disk data.................................................................................................................................... 41
8.3.7 Destroying the old disk data............................................................................................................ 41
8.3.8 Selecting partition transfer method.................................................................................................. 42
8.3.9 Partitioning the old disk................................................................................................................... 43
8.3.10 Old and new disk partition layouts............................................................................................... 44
8.3.11 Cloning script............................................................................................................................... 44
8.4 CLONING WITH MANUAL PARTITIONING...................................................................................................................... 44
8.4.1 Old and new disk partition layouts.................................................................................................. 44
CHAPTER 9. ADDING A NEW HARD DISK ..................................................................................... 46
9.1 SELECTING A HARD DISK ............................................................................................................................................ 46
9.2 CREATING A NEW PARTITION...................................................................................................................................... 46
9.3 DISK ADDING SCRIPT.................................................................................................................................................. 47
CHAPTER 10. OTHER OPERATIONS .............................................................................................. 48
10.1 CHECKING IMAGES................................................................................................................................................. 48
TECHNICAL SUPPORT ............................................................................................................................................................. 49
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
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Introduction
Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1 What is Acronis True Image Server 8. 0 for Linux?
Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux is a unique product for complete data backup that
enables you to create exact images of server hard disks or their partitions under Linux.
Thanks to the proprietary Acronis Drive Snapshot technology the program creates server
disk images
safety and avoid server downtimes.
An image, including all disk data, applications and operating systems, can be restored to a
hard disk if the old disk or any other hardware or software fails and other recovery means
don’t work.
In addition, you can easily extract files, deleted by mistake, from the disk image and copy
them to the disk.
1.2 Fastest recovery
in the operating mode without file system dismounting
to provide complete data
Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux dramatically reduces your server downtime. Unlike
traditional file-by-file backup solutions, the Acronis disk imaging approach provides you with
the fastest, bare-metal server recovery (recovery starting with an unformatted disk drive)
without time-consuming reinstallations, configurations and the like.
1.3 Rapid ROI
Is server downtime costing you thousands of dollars an hour? Acronis True Image Server 8.0
for Linux dramatically reduces IT costs by providing an easy, fast and reliable way to return
your server to its original working state in minutes or to restore lost or damaged files and
folders.
1.4 Disk drive cloning and ne w disk drive deploy ment
Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux can be used to clone an image onto multiple
servers. For example, a company purchases several servers and needs a similar environment
on each of them. Traditionally, the IT manager would install an operating system and
programs on each of them. Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux simplifies the process
and saves the IT manager time by creating a disk image of the first system deployed. That
image can then be duplicated onto multiple servers.
If you need to upgrade the server hard disk drive, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux
simplifies the task to a few mouse clicks, creating an exact copy of your old disk to a new
one and adjusting partition size to fit a new hard disk.
1.5 Features of Acronis True Image Server 8. 0 for Linux
• Image creation without system shutdown
• Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux images only the sectors that contain data, so
images are created in just a few minutes
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Introduction
• Support for a wide variety of IDE, SCSI, USB, FireWire, and PC Card (formerly PCMCIA)
storage media. CD-R/RW and tape drives are supported as well (except for console mode)
• Support for all hard disks, regardless of capacity
• Support for all Linux and Windows file systems, including Linux Ext2/Ext3, ReiserFS, JFS,
XFS, Linux Swap, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS; sector-based support for other file systems. JFS and
XFS are supported without resize while restore
• Backup and restore software RAIDs (md devices) both on running system and from rescue
CD
• Complete and incremental backups
• Scheduled and periodical image creation using
• Restore of individual files and directories (by mounting image archives as if they were kernel
space block devices)
• Transparent NFS and Samba network drives access (in X Windows mode NFS and Samba
appear among available devices, in console mode a path to the network drive may be
specified)
• OS-independent operation of Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux from the bootable CD,
including restore over NFS or Samba Network
• Comprehensive wizards simplify even the most complex operations
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
• Control of data compression level, image volume splitting and password protection
• The ability to change a partition type, file system, size and location during recovery or disk
cloning
• The ability to clone a disk drive so that multiple systems will have the exact same base disk
drive configuration and software
• The ability to migrate data from one drive to another
cron jobs
utility
1.6 What is a disk image?
A disk (partition) image is a file that contains a copy of all information stored on a disk. The
image stores all the server data, including operating system, databases, applications, data
and settings.
By backing up your information regularly, you will completely protect yourself from data
losses in case of server failure or malfunction. To reсover your system after a failure, simply
restore your disk data from a previously created image.
By default, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux image files have “.tib” extension and can
contain images of several partitions or disks.
Images of large partitions or several disks could be sizeable. In that case, an image can be
split into several files that together make the original image. A single image can also be
split for burning to removable media.
Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux can create incremental images.
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
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Introduction
An incremental image only contains data changed since the last complete or incremental
image creation. Therefore, it is smaller and takes less time to create. But as it doesn’t
contain complete disk (partition) information, all the previous incremental images and the
initial complete image are required for restoration.
You can create incremental images frequently, as they need less space than complete ones
and take less time to create.
An incremental image set enables you to restore a disk to any of the states stored in these
images. Having created a complete image once and then creating an incremental image
each day of a month, you will get the same result as if you created complete images every
day. But the cost in time and disk space (or the removable media usage) will be as little as
one tenth as much.
Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux stores only those hard disk sectors that contain data (for
supported file systems). This reduces image size and speeds up image creation and restoration from an
image.
A partition image contains all its files and folders independently of their attributes (including system files),
a boot record and file system super block.
A disk image includes images of all disk partitions as well as the zero track with master boot record
(MBR).
1.7 Software usage terms and conditions
The conditions for Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux software usage are described in
the «License agreement» (page 3 of this guide). The unique serial number is the
confirmation of your legal purchase and use of Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux on
your system.
Under current law, the «License agreement» is considered a legal contract between a user
(you) and a software manufacturer (Acronis Inc.,).
Violation of the contract, or illegal use and/or distribution of this software, will be
prosecuted.
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Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
Installation and operation
Chapter 2. Installation and operation
2.1 System requirements
Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux requires the following hard-/software:
• Pentium or compatible PC
• 128 MB RAM
• CD-RW drive for rescue CD creating
• Mouse (recommended)
• Linux 2.4.18 or later kernel (including 2.6.x kernels).
• SuSE 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, RedHat 7.3, 8.0, 9.0, Advanced Server 2.1,
Advanced Server 3.0, Advanced Server 4.0, Fedora Core 1, Fedora Core 2, Fedora Core
3, Fedora Core 4, Enterprise Server 3.0, Mandrake 8.0, 9.2, 10.0, 10.1, Slackware 10,
Debian stable and unstable (sarge), ASPLinux 9.2, ASPLinux 10, ASPLinux Server II,
Virtuozzo 2.6.x, Gentoo, UnitedLinux 1.0, Ubuntu 4.10, TurboLinux 8.0, TurboLinux 10.0
and some others Linux distributions are supported.
To obtain the up-to-date information about distributions, supported by your copy of Acronis
True Image Server 8.0 for Linux, see readme.txt file supplied with the program.
2.2 Installing Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux
To install Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux:
• Extract the file trueimagelinuxserver8.0_s_e.tar.gz
• Go to the directory where archive content was extracted
• Run ./trueimage-setup
• Follow setup program instructions.
If the setup could not compile the necessary module for your Linux distribution, please refer
to the file HOWTO.INSTALL.
When you’re finished installation, please issue the following command in console:
trueimagecmd --serial-key:[your serial number] --list
This will activate your serial number. If you first run Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux
under the X Window System interface, type in the serial number to the appearing form.
2.3 Running Acronis True Image Server 8. 0 for Linux
• To run the program under the X Window System interface, use the trueimage
command.
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
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Installation and operation
• To work in the console mode, use trueimagecmd and trueimagemnt tools, described
in Chapter 6. See also man trueimagecmd or man trueimagemnt.
2.4 Removing the program
To remove Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux, issue the following command:
# /usr/lib/Acronis/trueimage-setup --uninstall
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Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
General program information
Chapter 3. General program information
3.1 Main program interface under X Window System
Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux features a user-friendly interface under X Window
System.
The main program window features a menu line, toolbar and the main screen divided into
two sections. Operation icons are located to the right, while rollout windows describing
selected operations, their typical actions and additional tools are located to the left.
The menu, toolbar and menu items to the left duplicate each other, letting you use the
software in the way that suits you best.
Having selected an operation by clicking it, you can run it as follows: by double-clicking its
icon, by selecting Start now in the Operations menu, or by clicking Start now on the
toolbar.
The main window contains two groups of icons.
Disk Imaging features disk image operations:
• Create image – create a disk (partition) image
• Restore image – restore a disk (partition) from a previously created image.
New Disk Deployment features operations performed when a new disk is added:
• Disk clone — transfers the operating system, installed applications and data from the
old disk to the new one
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
Main program window
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General program information
• Add new disk — adds a new disk as data storage, leaving the operating system and
applications where they were
Program menu
The menu contains the following submenus: Operations, View, Tools, Help.
The Operations submenu has a Start now item that launches operations selected.
The Tools submenu contains:
• Check image — checks disk (partition) integrity
The View submenu contains:
• Toolbars — sets icon representation on the toolbar
• Common tasks bar — enables and disables the typical actions panel in the left part of
the program window
• Status bar — enables and disables the status bar
• Refresh — refreshes the main program window
• Help submenu is used to invoke built-in help, as well as information about Acronis True
Image Server 8.0 for Linux
Status bar
A status bar in the lower part of the main window briefly describes the selected operation.
Disk and partition information
In all disk configurations provided by wizards, you will be able to change the way they are
represented.
To the right, there are three icons:
(the last duplicated in the context menu invoked by a right-click on the object)
To enable sorting by selected column, click its header (click again to reverse) or click
Arrange Icons by … and select the sorting parameter.
To select columns to display, right-click on column headers or click
check the columns that will be displayed.
Click Properties to invoke the properties window of the selected partition or disk.
This window has two panels. The left contains the properties tree, while the right describes
the property selected. Disk information includes its physical parameters (connection, type,
capacity, etc.). Partition information includes both physical (sectors, location on disk, etc.)
and logical parameters (file system, free space, etc.).
Arrange Icons by…, Choose details and Properties
.
Choose details and
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You can resize columns by dragging their borders with a mouse.
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
3.2 Working from a rescue CD
In some situations (e.g. when restoring a system partition, or disk cloning or addition), you
might have to work with Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux without loading the OS. In
those cases, you can use the Acronis rescue CD. It is highly recommended that you create it
from an ISO-image, located in /var/lib/Acronis/TrueImage/rescue.iso.
3.3 Working from a remote terminal
You can control the image creation or restoration process remotely from any computer in
the local network or Internet, operating under Windows, Mac OS or any UNIX clone.
To act as a remote terminal, this computer must have X Server software installed. Start the
X Server and log on to the server using SSH-enabled software. For example, Putty is one of
the most popular Windows programs of that type.
Then you can invoke Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux GUI with the trueimage
command or use trueimagecmd command line tool.
General program information
3.4 Backing up software and hardware RAID arrays
Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux supports software and hardware RAID arrays as if
these were simple single hard drives. However, as such arrays have a structure different
from typical hard disks, there are peculiarities affecting the way data is stored.
Software RAID arrays under Linux OS combine several hard disks partitions and make
solid block devices (/dev/md0, ... /dev/md31), information of which is stored in /etc/raidtab
or in dedicated areas of that partitions. Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux enables you
to create images of active (mounted) software arrays similar to typical hard disk images.
Partitions that are part of software arrays are listed alongside other available partitions as if they had a
corrupted file system or without a file system at all. There’s no sense in creating images of such partitions
when a software array is mounted, as it won’t be possible to restore them.
Parameters of software disk arrays are not stored in images, so they can only be restored to
a normal partition, or unallocated space, or previously configured array.
Operating from a rescue CD, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux tries to access
parameters of a software disk array and configure it. However, if the necessary information
is lost, the array cannot be configured automatically. In this case, create a software array
manually and restart the restoration procedure.
Hardware RAID arrays under Linux combine several physical drives to create a single
partitionable disk (block device). The special file related to a hardware disk array is usually
located in /dev/ataraid. Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux enables you to create
images of hardware disk arrays similar to images of typical disks and partitions.
Physical drives that are part of hardware disk arrays are listed alongside other available drives as if they
had a bad partition table or no partition table at all. There’s no sense in creating images of such drives, as it
won’t be possible to restore them.
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
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Creating images under X Window System
Chapter 4. Creating images under X Window
System
This chapter describes creating disk or partition images using Acronis True Image Server 8.0
Cron
for Linux GUI under X Window System. See Chapter 6 for using console or
Under X Window System interface, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux offers userfriendly wizards. They simplify image creation and restoration operations, so even users not
very familiar with Linux can work with them.
4.1 Selecting disks/partitions
In the Selecting Partitions To Image window, you will see the hard disk structure of your
server. Flag a partition to select it. Flag a whole disk to select all its partitions. You can
select a random set of disks and partitions.
service.
Having selected partitions and/or disks, click Next. Note that this button will be disabled
until at least one partition or disk is selected.
4.2 Specifying image location
Specify image file location on a storage device:
• Local hard disk
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Disk and partition structure
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
Creating images under X Window System
• Network disk
• Removable media drive, including tapes, CD-R/RW and other supported devices.
Specifying image location
In the drive tree, select a place to locate an image and enter its name in the File name
field.
You can store images of several partitions or disks in a single file, but you won’t be able to append
images to an existing file.
The program can automatically generate file names. To do this, click the Gener ate file name for a new
file button located to the right of the file name field.
You can create a disk (partition) image on the same disk (partition), if there is enough space
for it, but do not leave it there. Having created an image, burn it onto a CD, DVD or ZIP
media, or copy to another local or network hard disk.
Though Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Linux can store images on both local and network
drives, the latter way is preferable, as it provides higher image safety and therefore
restoration possibility after a software or hardware failure.
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
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