[Box Backup] Symlink error in bbackupd?

Ben Summers boxbackup@fluffy.co.uk
Sun, 4 Nov 2007 12:10:42 +0000


Hans-Joachim Baader wrote:
> [snip]
>
> I think there is a problem when bbackupd backs this up. It seems
> the link is not converted into a relative one. So, when doing a
> restore into a different directory (possibly on a different machine),
> eg. for testing the backup, then, according to my log, it attempts
> to overwrite /root/a/dir/file. To make it clear why this is bad:
> Assume the data should be restored in /var/back, so obviously
> root/a/dir/file in the backup should be written to /var/back/root/a/ 
> dir/file
> and under no circumstances outside /var/back.

Box Backup is working as designed. Backup utilities should not  
rewrite any data. If you backup a symlink, you should get it back  
exactly when you restore.

Remember, you have the option of using relative symlinks on your  
disc, and Box Backup does not follow symlinks when backing up or  
restoring.

Ben