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Backup of raw hard disk?

Posted: 2019-12-14 15:51
by DRNDRN
Hi - I have a small embedded Linux system and I need to back up its 'disk' (actually small capacity SD card).
I can connect to its FTP server using FileZilla AOK and transfer small files AOK.
I need to make an image backup of the entire disk.
Can I use FileZilla FTP to copy /dev/sda to the host??
Anything special I would need to do to ensure a binary transfer?
I don't want compression or anything fancy, just a complete binary image.
Thanks!

Re: Backup of raw hard disk?

Posted: 2019-12-14 18:05
by boco
FTP only supports transferring files and directories from within the disk's file system. There is no raw access this way, thus raw disk images are not supported.

If it's an SD card, take it out and connect it locally to a computer. Then, use disk imaging software to get a raw disk image.

Re: Backup of raw hard disk?

Posted: 2019-12-17 18:07
by DRNDRN
If it's an SD card, take it out
- Oh, if only it were that easy! I'm asking the question because the SD card is quite inaccessible. I guess I'll log in and use DD to a USB stick (in this instance doable). Sure would be nice if I could directly FTP from /dev/sda ! Thanks though, Best Regards, Dave

Re: Backup of raw hard disk?

Posted: 2019-12-18 00:41
by boco
Unfortunately not, FTP only works on file level.