[Dump-devel] EA/ACL support in dump/restore

[Michael J. T. <mj...@tl...>]

Hello, folks!

I'm new to this list... :)

I use an EA/ACL (Extended Attributes/Access Control List)
implementation for linux (acl.bestbits.at).  And there is
currently _no_ tool for backup/restore those EAs available.
Dump/restore among some others (tar/pax/cpio) support is
essential to live with that useful features.

Currently, EAs (and ACLs that live in top of EAs) implemented
for linux only on ext2fs (sgi xfs will also have 'em).

I want this support in dump/restore.  And I want to contribute
and/or help in development of this.

So, the question:  is there some thoughts/efforts supporting
EAs in dump exists already?  Can someone comment on format
for that attributes in dump archives (to be portable, as,
e.g. Solaris, HP/UX and Irix all have acls and/or eas already)?
(This question about format is rather interesting.  Solaris
supports only acls, and have defined/used format for them
in dump.  Irix should support eas and acls on top of them,
and linux follows it.  So, if we choose to have separate
format specially for acls, then we should also add format
for general eas; but if we leave acls and will support eas
only, we will not be compatible with solaris).

Also, mostly offtopic but still.  Can someone offer formats
for other tools for this?  Or at least give some pointers?
(I not contacted yet with pax/tar/cpio maintainers yet;
there is also the Austin group http://www.opengroup.org/austin/
that works on materials related to posix1e, but their drafts
are not available to public).

Comments?

Regards,
 Michael.