Linux dump Command

Linux Command Manual

The Linux dump command is used for backing up file systems.

dump is a backup utility that can back up directories or entire file systems to specified devices, or to a single large file.

Syntax

dump [-cnu][-0123456789][-b &lt;block size>][-B &lt;block count>][-d <density>][-f &lt;device name>][-h <level>][-s &lt;tape length>][-T <date>][directory or file system] or dump [-wW]

Parameters:

-0123456789 　Backup level.
-b<block size> 　Specifies the block size, in KB.
-B<block count> 　Specifies the number of blocks for the backup volume.
-c 　Modifies the default density and capacity of the backup tape.
-d<density> 　Sets the tape density, in BPI.
-f<device name> 　Specifies the backup device.
-h<level> 　Does not back up files marked as "nodump" when the backup level is equal to or greater than the specified level.
-n 　Sends a notification to all users in the "operator" group when the backup job requires administrator intervention.
-s<tape length> 　Specifies the length of the backup tape, in feet.
-T<date> 　Specifies the start time and date for the backup.
-u 　Records the backed-up file system, level, date, and time in /etc/dumpdates after the backup is complete.
-w 　Similar to -W, but only shows files that need to be backed up.
-W 　Displays files that need to be backed up along with their last backup level, time, and date.

Example

Backing up files to tape

# dump -0 -u /dev/tape /home/

Where "-0" specifies the backup level and "-u" ensures that the information is recorded in /etc/dumpdates after the backup is complete.

Linux Command Manual

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