(tar.info.gz) Full Dumps

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 5.1 Using 'tar' to Perform Full Dumps
 =====================================
 
      _(This message will disappear, once this node revised.)_
 
    Full dumps should only be made when no other people or programs are
 modifying files in the file system.  If files are modified while 'tar'
 is making the backup, they may not be stored properly in the archive, in
 which case you won't be able to restore them if you have to.  (Files not
 being modified are written with no trouble, and do not corrupt the
 entire archive.)
 
    You will want to use the '--label=ARCHIVE-LABEL' ('-V ARCHIVE-LABEL')
 option to give the archive a volume label, so you can tell what this
 archive is even if the label falls off the tape, or anything like that.
 
    Unless the file system you are dumping is guaranteed to fit on one
 volume, you will need to use the '--multi-volume' ('-M') option.  Make
 sure you have enough tapes on hand to complete the backup.
 
    If you want to dump each file system separately you will need to use
 the '--one-file-system' option to prevent 'tar' from crossing file
 system boundaries when storing (sub)directories.
 
    The '--incremental' ('-G') ( Incremental Dumps) option is not
 needed, since this is a complete copy of everything in the file system,
 and a full restore from this backup would only be done onto a completely
 empty disk.
 
    Unless you are in a hurry, and trust the 'tar' program (and your
 tapes), it is a good idea to use the '--verify' ('-W') option, to make
 sure your files really made it onto the dump properly.  This will also
 detect cases where the file was modified while (or just after) it was
 being archived.  Not all media (notably cartridge tapes) are capable of
 being verified, unfortunately.
 
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