High load every night/day during fullbackup

[MislavO]

Hello.

On one of the servers there is like 1.8-2TB used in /var/ partion and I have problem during the backup. Backup usually takes 12-14 hours to complete and during that time load doesn't go below 8-10 (or even 15-20).

Server spec:
Intel® Core™ i7-2600 Quadcore (Hyper-Threading Technology)
RAM 32 GB DDR3 RAM
Hard disks 2 x 3 TB SATA 6 Gb/s HDD (7200 rpm (Software-RAID 1)

using plesk 11.0.9 on Debian 6.0.7

In plesk Backup manager under the tools & settings, backup is scheduled as "Server configuration and content -> all configuration and content" (there is more then 500 domains together with the subdomains).

After backup is over, load goes down to 2-3 and it's like that whole day.

Did anyone had problem like this? How did you "fix" it? Is there a way to reduce server load during the load? Is "nice" included in plesk daily scheduled backup?

 

[IgorG]

Have you tried to use this solution - http://forum.parallels.com/showthread.php?247563 ?

 

[MislavO]

Hm, I didn't found this one, I only found your post where you replied with "noatime" suggestion and http://kb.parallels.com/en/115056 (although this one is not for dedicated).

How is this script really working? I didn't found answers in KB or in that topic you've linked.

1) Backup is being archived to /var/lib/psa/dumps as I can see. Is this backup directory excluded(ignored) from script backup or as said on #42, I still have to delete everything before running the script?
2)

Not only server level backup can be exported, but also client or domain level as:
./fullbackup.php -e /var/lib/psa/dumps/clients/<client>/domains/<domain>/domain_backup_info.xml <output_file>

What is ment by "server level backup", httpdocs and configuration files or? Does this backup script only backup content under /var/www/vhosts/*/httpdocs or also /var/www/vhosts/*/ - before httpdocs you can put subdomains and other domains as well (basically the whole subscription). Script is calling plesk current file for backup/restore in bin folder, so I guess whole subscriptions are covered completely?

Can I still use parameter -b -o <output_dir> together with this -e /var/lib/psa/dumps/clients/<client>/etc./etc. ?
3) I guess with parameter mentioned on 2) -e, complete structure with clients/domain is almost the same as now is? Everything is sorted out in folders/clients/resellers + database from the same are also there?
4) How does this really improve backup? Is this one running with command "nice" priority or I have to set that?

I will have to test this out this evening.

 

[MislavO]

Any news ?