Backup/restore process

[art99trash]

I am trying to create a backup/restore process for my Alfresco Community 5 installation.

The documentation (http://docs.alfresco.com/community5.0/tasks/backup-cold.html) states:

By default, the dir.root contains both the contentstore and indexes. For a cold backup, back up the database and the content, and perform a full reindex when a backup is restored. A full reindex can be a time consuming process, so these steps include the indexes in the backup, removing the need to perform a reindex.
Stop Alfresco.
Back up the database Alfresco is configured to use, using your database vendor's backup tools.
In parallel, backup the dir.root directory (only the contentstore and contentstore.deleted directories).
Backing up the contentstore.deleted directory is optional.

Store both the database and dir.root backups together as a single unit.
For example, store the backups in the same directory or compressed file.

Start Alfresco.
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However, it is a bit confusing when it states "removing the need to perform a reindex" but the steps
say to only back up the contentstore contentstore.deleted directories.

Can anyone explain exactly what needs to be backed up?

Thanks

[eswbitto]

The best way to answer this question is to make sure you know what all the content holds.

By default: The data, database, and solr index all reside in the alf_data folder. It will remain here unless you configure alfresco to put it into a different location.

When backing up there are two things that you need to do. Backup alf_data in its entirety and also create database dumps of the alfresco database. You will need both when restoring data.

I also suggest you compress your backups.

Here is a great solution that deals with creating seemless backups.

http://fcorti.com/2013/02/06/alfresco-backup-script/

[art99trash]

Thanks for the reply.
I installed Alfresco using the default locations so everything is in alf_data. My real concern was about
the indices. The Alfresco documentation mentioned just backing up contentstore and contentstore.deleted
but said that reindexing was not needed when following their instructions.
I'll take your advice and backup the entire alf_data directory and backup the database (postgresql).

The script you pointed to looks a lot like what I had in mind.

Thanks again.