Backup

Hi All,

Operating databases is not my forte and I am new to it. For me a
database is a tool to use to help with my main work (so is a computer if
it comes to that). I can ill afford to lose any data.

I run two databases for personal purposes and have a two machine
network. The "old" machine I use for back up purposes. I have run the
dump command and produced two .sql files which I have transferred to my
old machine via ftp. Both have successfully re-created their databases
on my old machine.

I have now added to both databases and wish to do a subsequent back
ups.

Do I just run the dump command on each database again please? Will this
overwrite the original .sql files or should I delete (rm) the original
.sql files on my current or working machine and start again? On the old
machine do I delete the first .sql files and ftp the newer ones and then
just run the psql command to re-create the updated databases? Do I have
to drop the first re-created databases before attempting to restore the
updated .sql files after sending them via ftp from my current machine to
my old machine? I could just try to see what works (as I did when
starting and running postgresql in the first place) but I worry about
losing my data in an ill-conceived experiment.

I am running Red Hat Linux 6.2.

Thanks for any help.

Cheers,

Les.
--
Les Sharpe
Tel (08) 9193 1335
Fax (manual) (08) 9193 1335
ljsharpe(at)westnet(dot)com(dot)au
http://www.westnet.com.au/ljsharpe

100 things you don't want the sysadmin to say.
76. I have never seen it do *that* before...