NAME

       cback3-span - Span staged data among multiple discs

SYNOPSIS

       cback3-span [switches]

DESCRIPTION

       This  is  the Cedar Backup 3 span tool.  It is intended for use by people who back up more
       data than can fit on a single disc.  It allows a user to split (span) staged data  between
       more  than  one  disc.  It can't be a Cedar Backup extension in the usual sense because it
       requires user input when switching media.

       Generally, one can run the cback3-span command with no  arguments.   This  will  start  it
       using the default configuration file, the default log file, etc.  You only need to use the
       switches if you need to change the default behavior.

       This command takes most of its configuration from the  Cedar  Backup  configuration  file,
       specifically  the  store  section.   Then,  more  information  is  gathered  from the user
       interactively while the command is running.

MIGRATING FROM VERSION 2 TO VERSION 3

       The main difference between Cedar Backup version 2 and  Cedar  Backup  version  3  is  the
       targeted  Python  interpreter.   For most users, migration should be straightforward.  See
       the discussion found at cback3(1) or reference the Cedar Backup user guide.

SWITCHES

       -h, --help
              Display usage/help listing.

       -V, --version
              Display version information.

       -b, --verbose
              Print verbose output to the screen as well writing to the logfile. When this option
              is  enabled,  most  information  that would normally be written to the logfile will
              also be written to the screen.

       -c, --config
              Specify the path to an alternate configuration  file.   The  default  configuration
              file is /etc/cback3.conf.

       -l, --logfile
              Specify   the   path  to  an  alternate  logfile.   The  default  logfile  file  is
              /var/log/cback3.log.

       -o, --owner
              Specify the ownership  of  the  logfile,  in  the  form  user:group.   The  default
              ownership  is root:adm, to match the Debian standard for most logfiles.  This value
              will only be used when creating a new logfile.  If the logfile already exists  when
              the  cback3  script  is  executed,  it will retain its existing ownership and mode.
              Only user and group names may be used, not numeric uid and gid values.

       -m, --mode
              Specify the permissions for the logfile, using the numeric  mode  as  in  chmod(1).
              The default mode is 640 (-rw-r-----).  This value will only be used when creating a
              new logfile.  If the logfile already exists when the cback3 script is executed,  it
              will retain its existing ownership and mode.

       -O, --output
              Record  some  sub-command  output  to the logfile. When this option is enabled, all
              output from system commands will be logged. This might be useful for  debugging  or
              just for reference.

       -d, --debug
              Write  debugging  information to the logfile. This option produces a high volume of
              output, and would generally only be needed when debugging a  problem.  This  option
              implies the --output option, as well.

       -s, --stack
              Dump  a  Python  stack  trace  instead of swallowing exceptions.  This forces Cedar
              Backup to dump the entire Python stack trace associated with an error, rather  than
              just  propagating  last  message  it received back up to the user interface.  Under
              some circumstances, this is useful information to include along with a bug report.

       -D, --diagnostics
              Display runtime diagnostic information and then exit.  This diagnostic  information
              is often useful when filing a bug report.

RETURN VALUES

       This command returns 0 (zero) upon normal completion, and six other error codes related to
       particular errors.

       1      The Python interpreter version is not supported.

       2      Error processing command-line arguments.

       3      Error configuring logging.

       4      Error parsing indicated configuration file.

       5      Backup was interrupted with a CTRL-C or similar.

       6      Other error during processing.

NOTES

       Cedar Backup itself is designed to run as root, since otherwise it's difficult to back  up
       system  directories or write the CD or DVD device.  However, cback3-span can be run safely
       as any user that has read access to the Cedar Backup staging directories and write  access
       to the CD or DVD device.

SEE ALSO

       cback3(1)

FILES

       /etc/cback3.conf - Default configuration file

       /var/log/cback3.log - Default log file

URLS

       The project homepage is: https://github.com/pronovic/cedar-backup3

BUGS

       If you find a bug, please report it.

       If  possible,  give  me  the output from --diagnostics, all of the error messages that the
       script printed into its log, and also any stack-traces (exceptions) that  Python  printed.
       It would be even better if you could tell me how to reproduce the problem, for instance by
       sending me your configuration file.

       Report bugs to <support@cedar-solutions.com> or via GitHub issues tracker.

AUTHOR

       Written and maintained by Kenneth J. Pronovici <pronovic@ieee.org> with contributions from
       others.

COPYRIGHT

       Copyright (c) 2004-2020 Kenneth J. Pronovici.

       This  is  free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO warranty; not
       even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.