On Thu, Dec 01, 2005 at 05:24:03PM -0600, Jeff Nelson wrote:
> I'm considering swapping out SuSE 9.2 for Ubuntu (Breezy). What's 
> stopping me is that I have a multi-disk logical volume group. I've 
> looked at the LVG HOWTO at tldp.org and it seems that I should first 
> export the LVG and then import it when the new distribution is up and 
> running.
> 
> The data are not backed up and I'm nervous about making a mistake. I'd 
> back it up if I knew of a reasonably-priced archive option that worked 
> on Linux that could handle 500GB of data (it could easily double in the 
> next year). That rules out popping over to the local store to pick up a 
> dual-layer DVD-RW. The data are already compressed so I do not expect to 
> achieve much by compressing while writing to tape, either.
> 
> Now's your chance to offer advice. If you were me what would you do? 
> Should I just trust the LVG export/import capabilities? I plan to keep 
> the SuSE distribution available while I switch to Ubuntu, so hopefully I 
> could revert back if things go wrong.
> 
> Personal replies will be summarized back to the list if you'd rather 
> send to me directly rather than the whole list.

The cheapest way that i'm aware of for that much data is just more
disks.  Make sure everythign exists in two places (and i'm not just
talking about a raid).  

Personally, I have a box that is just for backups, with sufficient hard
drive space to back up the important things.  I use rsnapshot to do the
automated backups..  

This means that disks cost me twice as much roughly becuase I have to be
sure I have enough space for my backup - but I sort of prioritize my
data and am sure to have backed up what i don't want to lose.

Dan