DNN Forums

Ask questions about your website to get help learning DNN and help resolve issues.
  • Search Forums
    Advanced Search
Prev
Next
Forums Using DNN Platform Administration and Configuration

Backup DNN file system. Compressed file appear larger than the source.

 7 Replies
 4 Subscribed to this topic
 40 Subscribed to this forum
Sort:
Author
Messages
Barry Waluszko
New Around Here
Posts: 19
New Around Here
9/17/2021 4:53 AM

I'm trying compress all files and folders from the DNN website. Size of a DNN folder is about 3.7GB and there are lot's of small files, pdf, gif, etc.

The problem that I have is the size of the output compressed archieve, it's about 13GB. The same for 'zip' and for 'rar'. Anyone know what I'm missing ?

RichardHowells
Growing Member
Posts: 51
Growing Member
9/17/2021 9:37 AM

Somthing's off there. 

Zipping the DNN file tree is a standard part of my DNN backup process.  Picking one site, the actual site directory reports 410MB (I just did a right click and chose properties) and the Zipped backup is 171MB.

Joe Craig
Veteran Member
Posts: 1246
Veteran Member
MVP
MVP
You're an MVP!
9/17/2021 10:38 AM
Is it possible that you have a huge number of empty folders in one of your portals/X directories?
Barry Waluszko
New Around Here
Posts: 19
New Around Here
9/17/2021 10:48 AM
I understand you Richard,
but why my zipped backup is above 12GB, where the source is only 3,7GB ? I've been struggling with this for several days without success.
Barry Waluszko
New Around Here
Posts: 19
New Around Here
9/17/2021 10:54 AM
@Joe
Source of the issue is in folder 'Portals' that has 2,6 GB. When I try compress it output archive is very huge. Possible it contains lot's of empty folders, but of course I can't delete(or even touch) anything from it.
RichardHowells
Growing Member
Posts: 51
Growing Member
9/17/2021 11:01 AM

If you unzip your zip file do you get back just 3.7GB?

 

James Clarkson
Growing Member
Posts: 85
Growing Member
9/17/2021 1:25 PM

As RichardHowells says, check the size you get when you unzip.

I would add, check the size of each file you get back - sometimes file sizes are incorrectly shown in Windows when the file has an alternate stream (see NTFS Alternate Streams: What, When, and How To (flexhex.com))

Also check in case you have symbolic links or junction points somewhere under your folder structure (see Hard links, Junction Points and Soft links in Windows (cects.com))

Barry Waluszko
New Around Here
Posts: 19
New Around Here
9/20/2021 9:41 AM
@James, thank you very much.
I removed all symbolic links and now backup process works as it should.

These Forums are for the discussion of the open source CMS DNN platform and ecosystem.

For the benefit of the community and to protect the integrity of the ecosystem, please observe the following posting guidelines:

  1. If you have (suspected) security issues, please DO NOT post them in the forums but instead follow the official DNN security policy. 
  2. No Advertising. This includes the promotion of commercial and non-commercial products or services which are not directly related to DNN.
  3. No vendor trolling / poaching. If someone posts about a vendor issue, allow the vendor or other customers to respond. Any post that looks like trolling / poaching will be removed.
  4. Discussion or promotion of DNN Platform product releases under a different brand name are strictly prohibited.
  5. No Flaming or Trolling.
  6. No Profanity, Racism, or Prejudice.
  7. Site Moderators have the final word on approving / removing a thread or post or comment.
  8. English language posting only, please.

Would you like to help us?

Awesome! Simply post in the forums using the link below and we'll get you started.

Get Involved