dump (Unix)

dump is a Unix program used to back up file systems. It operates on blocks, below filesystem abstractions such as files and directories. Dump can back up a file system to a tape or another disk. It is often used across a network by piping its output through bzip2 then SSH. A dump utility first appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX.

Usage

dump [-0123456789acLnSu] [-B records] [-b blocksize] [-C cachesize]
[-D dumpdates] [-d density] [-f file | -P pipecommand] [-h level]
[-s feet] [-T date] filesystem

dump -W | -w

See also

• restore
• tar
• cpio
• rsync

External links

• Torture-testing Backup and Archive Programs
• FreeBSD manpage
• A Brief tutorial on Dump/Restore - "A simple look at using dump and restore to back up and restore your data."