Re: Inbox backup :(

On Thu, 7 Oct 2004, Faisal wrote:

[This really isn't a postfix issue]

> I upgraded my server from Mandrake 9.2 (Imapd , postfix & SQ mail) to Fedora
> core 2 (dovecot, postfix & SQ mail)
> i backed up /etc/passwd , /etc/shadow files & all home directories of users
> account on my server ..
> after resotration & configuration of the servers everything seems to work ,
> except users email they had on the server saved :(

/var/spool/mail is the usual directory.

> man this is embaracing .. can u tell me wat i did wrong ? where were the
> mails stored .. & wat is the right way to do it ?

Either add a new disk- install to that and then copy things over, or add a
new server and copy things over, this way you can always go back to the
way things were. Disks are cheaper, servers are easier.

Otherwise, since you back up the system regularly (you do make regular
backups, don't you?) and restore the applicable subtrees to the new
installation. If you're doing differential backups, never switch until
after doing a full backup.

You can always go back for old data, but synchronization becomes an issue
if you swtich the new system on too soon before testing everything, or
don't down the old system after moving things.

If you don't make regular backups, then you were bound to lose stuff
sooner or later, so take this as a lesson to do regular backups!

Paul
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Paul D. Robertson "My statements in this message are personal opinions
proberts@patriot.net which may have no basis whatsoever in fact."