The following best practices help you use the Linux Agent effectively:

• Use the Linux Agent to back up user data and configuration files. However, because of the lack of open file handling support, Symantec does not recommend the Linux Agent as a complete system for disaster recovery.

• Select the option "Using modified time" for the backup method that you choose.

• Disable file locking for backup jobs.

• Exclude pipes and socks from backup jobs.

• Configure backup jobs so that they do not follow symbolic links or mount points unless they are the only access points to their referenced object.

• Add the same directories manually to the Backup Exec Exclude list if you have added directories to the autofs automounter utility. When you add these directories to the Exclude list, you can inadvertently avoid backing up data from sources like CD-ROM drives.

• Assign administrator user permissions to the user who backs up the computer if you use Macintosh OS X.

• Enter file and directory exclusion information in the ralus.cfg file for files and directories on a host that you do not want to back up. After you add the information, the file and directories are ignored during backup.

• Run a small restore job periodically to test the validity of your storage media.

• Do not restore data across different operating systems. This practice may result in file name changes. Restore data only to computers that run an operating system that matches the one from which the data originally was backed up.