27 August 2012, 18:35

We are using automated shell script to do the migration and the data root backup is done through Rsync. The way our Mahara is used the size grows rapidly that with each upgrade there is a huge chunk of data to be backed up. The data root has grown to 80GB and with each upgrade it has become a pain to backup them beforehand.

I wonder why it is necessary to backup data root ? What are the concerns with upgrade ?

02 September 2012, 9:37

Sometimes the upgrade process needs to re-arrange or modify things in the data root. That's why it's important to back it up before upgrading, in case the upgrade doesn't finish (it may leave things in an inconsistent state, some of them re-arranged/modified and others not).

Saludos.
Iñaki.

03 September 2012, 17:46

What about the artefact/file storage area - do we need to backup this also ? This uses so much space which grows so rapidly. This is the most time consuming part during data root backup.

if we can skip this during backup it can save so much time with each upgrade.

18 September 2012, 0:06

Hi Yaju,

That is where your users files are stored by Mahara. So their assignments and papers that they submit via Mahara. It would grow lots if there are photo and video assignments, for sure.

If your data was backed up regularly (like once a week on the weekend, for example) by rsync, it would be much quicker to upgrade, as rsync only updates what has changed since the last time.

An extra usb harddrive dedicated to receiving the backed up data is inexpensive compared to losing the work of the teachers and students.

Thanks,
Melissa