Appendix B. Dependencies

Python 2.3

Version 2.3 of the Python interpreter was released on 29 July 2003, so most “current” Linux and BSD distributions should include it (although Debian “woody” does not include it.)

If you can't find a package for your system, install from the package source, using the “upstream” link.

RSH Server and Client

Although Cedar Backup will technically work with any RSH-compatible server and client pair (such as the classic “rsh” client), most users should only use an SSH (secure shell) server and client.

The defacto standard today is OpenSSH. Some systems package the server and the client together, and others package the server and the client separately. Note that master nodes need an SSH client, and client nodes need to run an SSH server.

If you can't find SSH client or server packages for your system, install from the package source, using the “upstream” link.

mkisofs

The mkisofs command is used create ISO CD images that can later be written to backup media.

If you can't find a package for your system, install from the package source, using the “upstream” link.

I have classified Gentoo as “unknown” because I can't find a specific package for that platform. I think that maybe mkisofs is part of the cdrtools package (see below), but I'm not sure. Any Gentoo users want to enlighten me?

cdrecord

The cdrecord command is used to write ISO images to media in a backup device.

If you can't find a package for your system, install from the package source, using the “upstream” link.

eject and volname

The eject command is used to open and close the tray on a backup device (if the backup device has a tray). Sometimes, the tray must be opened and closed in order to "reset" the device so it notices recent changes to a disc.

The volname command is used to determine the volume name of media in a backup device.

If you can't find a package for your system, install from the package source, using the “upstream” link.

mount and umount

The mount and umount commands are used to mount and unmount CD media after it has been written, in order to run a consistency check.

If you can't find a package for your system, install from the package source, using the “upstream” link.

I have classified Gentoo as “unknown” because I can't find a specific package for that platform. It may just be that these two utilities are considered standard, and don't have an independent package of their own. Any Gentoo users want to enlighten me?

I have classified Mac OS X “built-in” because that operating system does contain a mount command. However, it isn't really compatible with Cedar Backup's idea of mount, and in fact what Cedar Backup needs is closer to the hdiutil command. However, there are other issues related to that command, which is why the store action is not really supported on Mac OS X.

grepmail

The grepmail command is used by the mbox extension to pull out only recent messages from mbox mail folders.

If you can't find a package for your system, install from the package source, using the “upstream” link.