Summary

You can perform network backups in any of many different ways: client-based or server-based; using NFS, SMB/CIFS, rshd , AMANDA, or other network tools; and using tar , dump , cpio , or other backup programs. Each of these options has its place, depending on your network's details. Understanding the range of options will help point you towards a reasonable solution. For a network of just a handful of machines, a simple solution using familiar tools like tar may be adequate. For a larger network, you may need to use more sophisticated tools like AMANDA. You should not neglect the restoration aspect of the backup process. Restoring data can involve little more than reversing the backup process, or it may involve radically different techniques.