9 - Document running multiple Jobs
10 - Document that two Verifys at same time on same client do not work.
11 - Document how to recycle a tape in 7 days even if the backup takes a long time.
12 - Document default config file locations.
13 - Document better includes (does it cross file systems ?).
14 - Document specifically how to add new File daemon to config files.
15 - Document forcing a new tape to be used.
16 - Document "Error in message.c:500 Mail program terminated in error.
19 --bindir is wrong and does not reflect prefix= in the *_sqlite_* scripts
21 --top level configure options are not passed to the depkgs, particularly
23 --Also, it might be better to split the depkgs location from the --with-sqlite
25 --should be able to specify e.g. --with-sqlite=/opt/local and have it find
26 lib, bin, sbin for itself
27 I tried this and it didn't find sqlite.h
30 - Figure out why my Catalog size keeps growing.
34 - Make SD disallow writing on Volume with fewer files than in
36 - Check if GZIP1 is working -- check speed.
37 - Put MaximumVolumeSize in Director.
38 - Document how to cancel a job that is waiting on a Volume.
39 Must "cancel" then "mount".
40 - Document to have patience when SD first starts.
41 - Document running a test version.
42 - When Marking a file in Restore that is a hard link, also
43 mark the link so that the data will be reloaded.
44 - Restore program that errors in SD due to no tape reports
45 OK incorrectly in output.
46 - Make BSR accept count (total files to be restored).
47 - Make BSR return next_block when it knows record is not
48 in block, done when count is reached, and possibly other
49 optimizations. I.e. add a state word.
50 - After unmount, if restore job started, ask to mount.
51 - Fix db_get_fileset in cats/sql_get.c for multiple records.
52 - Fix start/end blocks for File devices
53 - Add new code to scheduler.c and run_conf.c
54 - Volume Bytes shows bytes on last volume written in Job summary.
55 - Fix catalog filename truncation in sql_get and sql_create. Use
56 only a single filename split routine.
57 - Add command to reset VolFiles to a larger value (don't allow
58 a smaller number or print big warning).
59 - Make Restore report an error if FD or SD term codes are not OK.
60 - Convert all %x substitution variables, which are hard to remember
61 and read to %(variable-name). Idea from TMDA.
62 - Report compression % and other compression statistics if turned on.
63 - Add JobLevel in FD status (but make sure it is defined).
64 - Make Pool resource handle Counter resources.
65 - Remove NextId for SQLite. Optimize.
66 - Fix gethostbyname() to use gethostbyname_r()
67 - Implement ./configure --with-client-only
68 - Strip trailing / from Include
69 - Move all SQL statements into a single location.
70 - Cleanup db_update_media and db_update_pool
71 - Add UA rc and history files.
72 - put termcap (used by console) in ./configure and
73 allow -with-termcap-dir.
74 - Remove JobMediaId it is not used.
75 - Enhance time and size scanning routines.
76 - Fix Autoprune for Volumes to respect need for full save.
77 - DateWritten field on tape may be wrong.
78 - Fix Win32 config file definition name on /install
79 - No READLINE_SRC if found in alternate directory.
80 - Add Client FS/OS id (Linux, Win95/98, ...).
81 - Put Windows files in Windows stream?
82 - Ensure that everyone uses btime routines (mostly done).
86 Bacula Projects Roadmap
88 last update 7 October 2002
90 Item 1: Multiple simultaneous Jobs. (done)
93 What: Permit multiple simultaneous jobs in Bacula.
95 Why: An enterprise level solution needs to go fast without the
96 need for the system administrator to carefully tweak
97 timing. Based on the benchmarks, during a full
98 backup, NetWorker typically hit 10 times the bandwidth to
99 the tape compared to Bacula--largely. This is probably due to
100 running parallel jobs and multi-threaded filling of buffers
101 and writing them to tape. This should also make things work
102 better when you have a mix of fast and slow machines backing
105 Notes: Bacula was designed to run multiple simultaneous jobs. Thus
106 implementing this is a matter of some small cleanups and
110 Item 2: Make the Storage daemon use intermediate file storage to buffer data.
111 Deferred -- not necessary yet.
113 What: If data is coming into the SD too fast, buffer it to
114 disk if the user has configured this option.
116 Why: This would be nice, especially if it more or less falls out
117 when implementing (1) above. If not, it probably should not
118 be given a high priority because fundamentally the backup time
119 is limited by the tape bandwidth. Even though you may finish a
120 client job quicker by spilling to disk, you still have to
121 eventually get it onto tape. If intermediate disk buffering
122 allows us to improve write bandwidth to tape, it may make
125 Notes: Whether or not this is implemented will depend upon performance
126 testing after item 1 is implemented.
129 Item 3: Write the bscan program.
132 What: Write a program that reads a Bacula tape and puts all the
133 appropriate data into the catalog. This allows recovery
134 from a tape that is no longer in the database, or it allows
135 re-creation of a database if lost.
137 Why: This is a fundamental robustness and disaster recovery tool
138 which will increase the comfort level of a sysadmin
139 considering adopting Bacula.
141 Notes: A skeleton of this program already exists, but much work
142 needs to be done. Implementing this will also make apparent
143 any deficiencies in the current Bacula tape format.
146 Item 4: Implement Base jobs.
148 What: A base job is sort of like a Full save except that you
149 will want the FileSet to contain only files that are unlikely
150 to change in the future (i.e. a snapshot of most of your
151 system after installing it). After the base job has been run,
152 when you are doing a Full save, you can specify to exclude
153 all files saved by the base job that have not been modified.
155 Why: This is something none of the competition does, as far as we know
156 (except BackupPC, which is a Perl program that saves to disk
157 only). It is big win for the user, it makes Bacula stand out
158 as offering a unique optimization that immediately saves time
161 Notes: Big savings in tape usage. Will require more resources because
162 the e. DIR must send FD a list of files/attribs, and the FD must
163 search the list and compare it for each file to be saved.
166 Item 5: Implement Label templates
168 What: This is a mechanism whereby Bacula can automatically create
169 a tape label for new tapes according to a detailed specification
170 provided by the user.
172 Why: It is a major convenience item for folks who use automated label
175 Notes: Bacula already has a working form of automatic tape label
176 creation, but it is very crude. The design for the complete
177 tape labeling project is already documented in the manual.
180 Item 6: Write a regression script.
183 What: This is an automatic script that runs and tests as many features
184 of Bacula as possible. The output is compared to previous
185 versions of Bacula and any differences are reported.
187 Why: This is an enormous help in preventing introduction of new
188 errors in parts of the program that already work correctly.
190 Notes: This probably should be ranked higher, it's something the typical
191 user doesn't see. Depending on how it's implemented, it may
192 make sense to defer it until the archival tape format and
193 user interface mature.
196 Item 7: GUI for interactive restore
197 Item 8: GUI for interactive backup
199 What: The current interactive restore is implemented with a tty
200 interface. It would be much nicer to be able to "see" the
201 list of files backed up in typical GUI tree format.
202 The same mechanism could also be used for creating
203 ad-hoc backup FileSets (item 8).
205 Why: Ease of use -- especially for the end user.
207 Notes: Rather than implementing in Gtk, we probably should go directly
208 for a Browser implementation, even if doing so meant the
209 capability wouldn't be available until much later. Not only
210 is there the question of Windows sites, most
211 Solaris/HP/IRIX, etc, shops can't currently run Gtk programs
212 without installing lots of stuff admins are very wary about.
213 Real sysadmins will always use the command line anyway, and
214 the user who's doing an interactive restore or backup of his
215 own files will in most cases be on a Windows machine running
219 Item 9: Add SSL to daemon communications.
221 What: This provides for secure communications between the daemons.
223 Why: This would allow doing backup across the Internet without
224 privacy concerns (or with much less concern).
226 Notes: The vast majority of near term potential users will be backing up
227 a single site over a LAN and, correctly or not, they probably
228 won't be concerned with security, at least not enough to go to
229 the trouble to set up keys, etc. to screw things down. We suspect
230 that many users genuinely interested in multi-site backup
231 already run some form of VPN software in their internetwork
232 connections, and are willing to delegate security to that layer.
235 Item 10: Define definitive tape format.
236 Mostly done (version 1.27)
238 What: Define that definitive tape format that will not change
239 for the next millennium.
241 Why: Stability, security.
243 Notes: See notes for item 11 below.
246 Item 11: New daemon communication protocol.
248 What: The current daemon to daemon protocol is basically an ASCII
249 printf() and sending the buffer. On the receiving end, the
250 buffer is sscanf()ed to unpack it. The new scheme would
251 be a binary format that allows quick packing and unpacking
252 of any data type with named fields.
254 Why: Using binary packing would be faster. Named fields will permit
255 error checking to ensure that what is sent is what the
256 receiver really wants.
258 Notes: These are internal improvements in the interest of the
259 long-term stability and evolution of the program. On the one
260 hand, the sooner they're done, the less code we have to rip
261 up when the time comes to install them. On the other hand, they
262 don't bring an immediately perceptible benefit to potential
263 users. Item 10 and possibly item 11 should be deferred until Bacula
264 is well established with a growing user community more or
265 less happy with the feature set. At that time, it will make a
266 good "next generation" upgrade in the interest of data
271 I haven't put these in any particular order.
274 - Rework Storage daemon with new rwl_lock routines.
275 - Compare tape to Client files (attributes, or attributes and data)
276 - Restore options (overwrite, overwrite if older,
277 overwrite if newer, never overwrite, ...)
278 - Restore to a particular time -- e.g. before date, after date.
279 - Make all database Ids 64 bit.
280 - Write an applet for Linux.
281 - Make SD reject writing on tape where Catalog and tape # files
282 don't agree (possibly OK if tape > catalog).
283 - Implement new daemon communications protocol.
284 - Send Volumes needed during restore to Console (just after
285 create_volume_list) -- also in restore command?
286 - Add estimate to Console commands
287 - Find solution to blank filename (i.e. path only) problem.
290 mysqldump -f --opt bacula >bacula
294 - Remove PoolId from Job table, it exists in Media.
295 - Allow console commands to detach or run in background.
296 - Fix status delay on storage daemon during rewind.
297 - Add VerNo to each Session label record.
298 - Add Job to Session records.
299 - Add VOLUME_CAT_INFO to the EOS tape record (as
300 well as to the EOD record).
301 - Add SD message variables to control operator wait time
302 - Maximum Operator Wait
303 - Minimum Message Interval
304 - Maximum Message Interval
305 - Add EOM handling variables
307 - Require EOD records
308 - Send Operator message when cannot read tape label.
309 - Think about how to handle I/O error on MTEOM.
310 - If Storage daemon aborts a job, ensure that this
311 is printed in the error message.
312 - Verify level=Volume (scan only), level=Data (compare of data to file).
313 Verify level=Catalog, level=InitCatalog
315 - Cold start full restore (restore catalog then
316 user selects what to restore). Write summary file containing only
317 Job, Media, and Catalog information. Store on another machine.
318 - Dump/Restore database
321 - Add keyword search to show command in Console.
322 - Fix Win2000 error with no messages during startup.
323 - Events : tape has more than xxx bytes.
324 - In Storage daemon, status should include job cancelled.
325 - Write general list maintenance subroutines.
326 - Implement immortal format with EDOs.
327 - Restrict characters permitted in a Resource name.
328 - Provide definitive identification of type in backup.
329 - Complete code in Bacula Resources -- this will permit
330 reading a new config file at any time.
331 - Document new Console
332 - Handle ctl-c in Console
333 - Test restore of Windows backup
334 - Implement LabelTemplate (at least first cut).
335 - Implement script driven addition of File daemon to
338 - Bug: anonymous Volumes requires mount in some cases.
339 - see setgroup and user for Bacula p4-5 of stunnel.c
340 - Implement new serialize subroutines
341 send(socket, "string", &Vol, "uint32", &i, NULL)
342 - Add save type to Session label.
343 - Correct date on Session label.
344 - On I/O error, write EOF, then try to write again.
345 - Audit all UA commands to ensure that we always prompt where
347 - If ./btape is called without /dev, assume argument is
348 a Storage resource name.
349 - Put memory utilization in Status output of each daemon
350 if full status requested or if some level of debug on.
351 - Make database type selectable by .conf files i.e. at runtime
352 - gethostbyname failure in bnet_connect() continues
353 generating errors -- should stop.
354 - Don't create a volume that is already written. I.e. create only once.
355 - If error at end of tape, implement some way to kill waiting processes.
356 - Add HOST to Volume label.
357 - Set flag for uname -a. Add to Volume label.
358 - Implement throttled work queue.
359 - Write bscan program that will syncronize the DB Media record with
360 the contents of the Volume -- for use after a crash.
361 - Check for EOT at ENOSPC or EIO or ENXIO (unix Pc)
362 - Allow multiple Storage specifications (or multiple names on
363 a single Storage specification) in the Job record. Thus a job
364 can be backed up to a number of storage devices.
365 - Implement full MediaLabel code.
366 - Implement dump label to UA
367 - Copy volume using single drive.
368 - Copy volume with multiple driven (same or different block size).
369 - Add block size (min, max) to Vol label.
370 - Concept of VolumeSet during restore which is a list
371 of Volume names needed.
372 - Restore files modified after date
373 - Restore file modified before date
374 - Emergency restore info:
376 - Backup working directory
378 - Restore options (do not overwrite)
379 - Restore -- do nothing but show what would happen
380 - SET LD_RUN_PATH=$HOME/mysql/lib/mysql
381 - Put Job statistics in End Session Label (files saved,
382 total bytes, start time, ...).
383 - Put FileSet name in the SOS label.
384 - Implement Restore FileSet=
385 - Write a scanner for the UA (keyword, scan-routine, result, prompt).
386 - Create a protocol.h and protocol.c where all protocol messages
388 - If SD cannot open a drive, make it periodically retry.
389 - Put Bacula version somewhere in Job stream, probably Start Session
391 - Remove duplicate fields from jcr (e.g. jcr.level and
393 - Timout a job or terminate if link goes down, or reopen link and query.
394 - Define how we handle times to avoid problem with Unix dates (2049 ?).
395 - Fill all fields in Vol/Job Header -- ensure that everything
396 needed is written to tape. Think about restore to Catalog
397 from tape. Client record needs improving.
398 - Find general solution for sscanf size problems (as well
399 as sprintf. Do at run time?
401 - Concept of precious tapes (cannot be reused).
402 - Allow FD to run from inetd ???
403 - Preprocessing command per file.
404 - Postprocessing command per file (when restoring).
406 - Restore should get Device and Pool information from
407 job record rather than from config.
408 - Autolabel should be specified by DR instead of SD.
409 - Ability to recreate the catalog from a tape.
410 - Find out how to get the system tape block limits, e.g.:
411 Apr 22 21:22:10 polymatou kernel: st1: Block limits 1 - 245760 bytes.
412 Apr 22 21:22:10 polymatou kernel: st0: Block limits 2 - 16777214 bytes.
415 - AutoScan (check checksum of tape)
416 - Format command = "format /dev/nst0"
420 - Seek resolution (usually corresponds to buffer size)
421 - EODErrorCode=ENOSPC or code
422 - Partial Read error code
423 - Partial write error code
424 - Nonformatted read error
425 - Nonformatted write error
426 - WriteProtected error
430 - IgnoreCloseErrors=yes
440 - Eliminate duplicate File records to shrink database.
441 - FD sends unsaved file list to Director at end of job.
442 - Write a Storage daemon that uses pipes and
443 standard Unix programs to write to the tape.
445 - Need something that monitors the JCR queue and
446 times out jobs by asking the deamons where they are.
447 - Add daemon JCR JobId=0 to have a daemon context
451 - Client (list of clients to force client)
452 - Devices (list of devices to force device)
457 - Recycle from other pools: Yes, No
458 - Recycle to other pools: Yes, no
461 - Optional MediaType to force media?
472 if(connect(sockfd, (struct sockaddr * ) (& addr), sizeof(addr)) .lt. 0){
478 linger.l_linger = 60;
479 i = setsockopt(sockfd, SOL_SOCKET, SO_LINGER, (char *) &linger,
482 fl = fcntl(sockfd, F_GETFL);
483 fcntl(sockfd, F_SETFL, fl & (~ O_NONBLOCK) & (~ O_NDELAY));
485 - Enhance Jmsg code to permit buffering and saving to disk.
486 - device driver = "xxxx" for drives.
487 - restart: paranoid: read label fsf to
488 eom read append block, and go
489 super-paranoid: read label, read all files
490 in between, read append block, and go
491 verify: backspace, read append block, and go
492 permissive: same as above but frees drive
493 if tape is not valid.
495 - Ensure that /dev/null works
496 - File daemon should build list of files skipped, and then
497 at end of save retry and report any errors.
498 - Need report class for messages. Perhaps
499 report resource where report=group of messages
501 - enhance scan_attrib and rename scan_jobtype, and
502 fill in code for "since" option
503 - To buffer messages, we need associated jobid and Director name.
504 - Need to save contents of FileSet to tape?
505 - Director needs a time after which the report status is sent
506 anyway -- or better yet, a retry time for the job.
507 Don't reschedule a job if previous incarnation is still running.
508 - Figure out how to save the catalog (possibly a special FileSet).
509 - Figure out how to restore the catalog.
510 - Figure out how to put a Volume into the catalog (from the tape)
511 - Figure out how to do a restore from a Volume
512 - Some way to automatically backup everything is needed????
513 - Need a structure for pending actions:
515 - termination status (part of buffered msgs?)
516 - Concept of grouping Storage devices and job can use
517 any of a number of devices
519 Read, Write, Clean, Delete
520 - Login to Bacula; Bacula users with different permissions:
522 - Tape recycle destination
523 - Job Schedule Status
527 - File daemon should pass Director the operating system info
528 to be stored in the Client Record (or verified that it has
530 - Store info on each file system type (probably in the job header on tape.
531 This could be the output of df; or perhaps some sort of /etc/mtab record.
534 - Use media 1 time (so that we can do 6 days of incremental
535 backups before switching to another tape) (already)
536 specify # times (jobs)
537 specify bytes (already)
538 specify time (seconds, hours, days)
539 - Implement FSM (File System Modules).
540 - Identify unchanged or "system" files and save them to a
541 special tape thus removing them from the standard
542 backup FileSet -- BASE backup.
543 - Turn virutally all sprintfs into snprintfs.
544 - Heartbeat between daemons.
545 - Audit M_ error codes to ensure they are correct and consistent.
546 - Add variable break characters to lex analyzer.
547 Either a bit mask or a string of chars so that
548 the caller can change the break characters.
549 - Make a single T_BREAK to replace T_COMMA, etc.
550 - Ensure that File daemon and Storage daemon can
551 continue a save if the Director goes down (this
552 is NOT currently the case). Must detect socket error,
553 buffer messages for later.
556 Done: (see kernsdone for more)