How to backup Ubuntu? (settings, configs etc)

[piergen]

I am currently running backup of al importent data. Except I dont know how to handle the backup of all settings, configs etc. Is there a smart way to see all that I have installed over time? One time I did a listing of all directories and their size from terminal and had it printed to a text file. Something like that would be smart to do for everything I have installed, but I dont know how to do that. Pls hlp.

Is there any folder that will contain ALL settings? What about /etc?
I mean is there certain directory/directories I MUST be sure to back up to keep a copy of all settings, configs and what not? I assume there are lots of hidden folders I can't see?

I have installed various apps over time, and for some of them there was a rather steep learning curve in order to make it all run smooth. Which had me spending hour upon hours on various forums to resolve install and configs. If I now make a copy of it all at least I can use the old settings a cheat sheet if I have to make new install due to possible disk failure.

[oz]

You can find some backup and recovery apps/tools here:

Backup & Recovery | Linux App Finder

For my own backups, I usually use fsarchiver but sometimes use clonezilla. Both can be found on the latest Parted Magic LiveCD, along with some other backup and recovery tools. They both work well for full system archiving/imaging, but you might want one of the other options found at the link above if you only want to backup certain files. I've heard lots of good things about rsync (grsync, qsync) but haven't used them myself.

If you should find something you want to try, keep in mind that it's usually best to install it with your distro's default package tool rather than installing from source.

Edit: sorry piergen, but I've removed the part of your post above relating to the other problem because you already have a thread going about that, and duplicate posts nor redirects are allowed on the forums.

[piergen]

Tks for the tips. Rsync might be a bit heavy for what I am after. But I will use the link you posted and find other programs.
I am almost done with the backups of data now, so all I still need now is to backup those directories that holds my user settings.

For instance, I know that for samba the config file is in /etc/samba/smb.conf
But I also run apache, hellanzb, vmware, mysql etc.
And many of those applications I have added to the default install was a pain to get to work right. There where tweaks here, uncomment line n there, add this and subtract that if you know what I mean. I would hate to have to go over that again blindfolded if I have to remove a drive.

And to make a ghost of the complete disk might not be the best option either.
Sure I will save some grunt work. But that also means I will also reinstall hardy which is what now 3 years old pretty soon. So I guess if I need to reinstall the smart thing to do would be to install the latest stable. For all apps installed I can use the backups as cheat-sheet. But for that I need two things sorted first.

1: I know there is a way to list out what is installed via a terminal command, but I can't find back to the source where I read about it. Also english not native tongue so I am haveing a hard to searching and finding info cause seems I am not using proper search term.

2: What directories must I backup to make sure I can find my old setting/configs and so on for the apps I need?

[oz]

Settings and configuration files for individual users are usually stored in various folders/files within the user's /home/your_user_name folder, depending on the application. Most of those will be hidden folders/files that can be located within a terminal by running ls -a, or by setting your GUI file manager to show hidden files and folders.

[piergen]

Great. Backup is running.
But as I mentioned earlier I know that for samba the config files reside in /etc/samba/samb.conf.

Should I just backup the complete /etc as well just to be safe?
What about /usr? Does that one hold data like configs settings etc?

Well just to be safe I will bakcup those as well. IF they are not importent I will delete them later on.

Strangest thing, when I read about the file system I see the in /opt all third party application should be stored according to some standard. When I browse my /opt it is comletly empty.

The /opt directory is reserved for all the software and add-on packages that are not part of the default installation. For example, StarOffice, Kylix, Netscape Communicator and WordPerfect packages are normally found here. To comply with the FSSTND, all third party applications should be installed in this directory. Any package to be installed here must locate its static files (ie. extra fonts, clipart, database files) must locate its static files in a separate /opt/'package' or /opt/'provider' directory tree (similar to the way in which Windows will install new software to its own directory tree C:\Windows\Progam Files\"Program Name"), where 'package' is a name that describes the software package and 'provider' is the provider's LANANA registered name