In this short tutorial we will learn how to install Amanda open source backup application on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS operating system.
Introduction
Amanda, short for the Advanced Maryland Automatic Network Disk Archiver, is an open-source backup solution that provides efficient and reliable data backup and recovery capabilities. It's designed to be flexible and scalable, making it suitable for both small and large-scale environments.
Amanda's Backup Technology Key Features
Here are some key aspects of Amanda's backup technology:
1. Client-Server Architecture
Amanda follows a client-server architecture where a central Amanda server manages the backup process, and client machines send their data to be backed up to the server.
2. Backup Strategies
Amanda supports various backup strategies, including full, incremental, and differential backups. This flexibility allows users to choose the backup strategy that best fits their needs in terms of storage space and recovery time.
3. Disklist Configuration
The backup targets and settings are defined in a configuration file called disklist. This file specifies which files or directories on the client machines need to be backed up.
4. Media Management
Amanda uses a concept called "tapes," which can be physical tapes, virtual tapes, or simply disk storage. The software manages these tapes to organize and store backup data efficiently.
5. Network Backup
Amanda excels in network backup scenarios, allowing centralized management of backups for multiple machines connected over a network. This is particularly useful for organizations with distributed computing environments.
6. Encryption and Compression
Amanda provides options for encrypting and compressing backup data. This ensures the security of sensitive information and optimizes storage space.
7. Parallelism
To improve backup performance, Amanda supports parallelism, allowing multiple backup operations to occur simultaneously. This is especially beneficial in environments with a large number of clients.
8. Verification and Integrity Checking
Amanda includes features for verifying the integrity of backup data. The amverify tool can be used to ensure that backups are consistent and can be restored successfully.
9. Recovery:
Amanda makes data recovery straightforward. Users can selectively restore files or entire backup sets using the amrestore tool. The recovery process is designed to be user-friendly and efficient.
10. Community and Support:
Being an open-source project, Amanda benefits from a vibrant community of users and developers. Users can find support through forums, mailing lists, and documentation.
11. Plugins and Integration
Amanda supports plugins that extend its functionality. Integration with other tools and services, such as cloud storage providers, can be achieved through plugins.
12. Platform Compatibility
Amanda is platform-independent and can be installed on various operating systems, including Linux and UNIX-like systems.
How To Install Amanda server On Ubuntu 20.04
In this section we will learn how to install Amanda-server on Ubuntu 20.04 TLS operating system. We will install Amanda server using APT Ubuntu.
1. Update System Packages:
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt upgrade
2. Install Amanda:
$ sudo apt install amanda-server
3. Configuration:
Amanda uses a configuration file to define backup settings. The main configuration file is typically located at /etc/amanda/<<your-config-name>>/amanda.conf. You may need to create this file based on your specific requirements.
4. Configure Disklist:
Edit the disklist file (usually located at /etc/amanda/<<your-config-name>>/disklist) to specify the data you want to back up. Add the paths to the directories or filesystems you want Amanda to archive.
5. Configure Amanda User Permissions:
$ sudo adduser amandabackup
$ sudo adduser amandabackup disk
6. Start Amanda Services:
$ sudo service amanda-server start
7. Verify Amanda Installation:
Run the Amanda verification command to check if the configuration is correct.
$ sudo amcheck <<your-config-name>>
8. Schedule Backups:
Use the amdump command to start the backup process. You may want to set up a cron job to automate this process.
Amanda's combination of features, flexibility, and community support makes it a robust choice for organizations seeking a reliable backup solution tailored to their specific needs. Always refer to the latest Amanda documentation for the most accurate and detailed information.
