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ome say everything is connected in one big cycle. Year 2000-compliant BRU (Backup and Restore Utility) for Linux, version 15.0, supports that idea.

I decided to make a backup of my Linux hard drive because I was afraid my inexperience with Red Hat 6.0 would cause me to lose valuable data. I acquired BRU after hearing recommendations from experienced Linux users and found I really needed to know Linux in order to install the product. To install BRU, I needed to be in the root account functioning as the system administrator. The root account is the most sensitive with all privileges; if I made an error during the installation, I could annihilate my Linux drive.

While as a Linux beginner I was hesitant about the installation and backup, the manufacturer, Enhanced Software Technologies Inc., is no beginner. It has provided Unix backup utilities in different flavors for many years. And BRU is not a difficult installation if you already know what you're doing. Basically, you need to know the technical designation for the backup device you're using, the type and capacity of media being used, and the device name for the backup device before you start. The manual points out that Atapi tape drives like mine sometimes encounter difficulties, and it attempts to guide the user through possible problems.

With prompting from my system, I entered my information and completed the installation. I expected a message confirming the successful installation. I didn't receive one, so I had to check the system to make sure the utility was installed. It was ready to use, but the lack of a confirmation message is the kind of stripped-down interface that has always limited proliferation of Unix flavors.

Once I activated the graphical user interface to the utility, I was presented with several buttons designated for backup, restore, list, verify, and exit. BRU also gave me a choice of full backup or two incremental backups. The second enclosed guide, the small XII Interface User's Manual, led me through using the GUI and all related functions.

I made a full backup. It was easy and comfortable. My Atapi drive ran smoothly and didn't run into problems. However, my system took two hours to back up and verify files on my 4-Gbyte drive. Fortunately, with BRU I didn't need to stay with the computer, and the system executed properly while unattended. As a security precaution, the Linux system had timed me out while the backup continued to run. Only by entering the correct name and password was I able to enter the system again. I removed the tape and switched over to other work on my computer.

Later in the evening, when I had time to return to my computer, I popped the tape back into the Atapi drive and started a restore. That also ran smoothly, and I had no complaints with the product or the results of the backup and restoration. Although my backup was made as the system administrator of the entire system, it is possible for users to back up their individual accounts using the utility. Additionally, by using the cron setup to run programs at specified times and frequencies, regular backups can be scheduled in advance. The current Linux version isn't shipped in Red Hat Package Manager format for simpler installation; version 15.1, due late this month, will ship that way. This should facilitate use by a larger group of Linux users.

The Personal Edition doesn't have all the features of Commercial BRU. The commercial version allows certain network-oriented backup operations, double-buffered input/output, file renaming during the restore process, tape overwrite protection, provisions for FIFO controls, and provisions for the backup of raw parti- tions and devices. Tapes created with other BRU releases are fully compatible with the Personal Edition, and tapes created with Personal Edition are compatible with the standard version of BRU.

In addition to an excellent technical support group, the vendor has a Web site that not only provides information on its products, but also links to virtually all the important Linux sites.