Amcheck runs a number of self-checks on both the Amanda Tape Server Host and the Amanda Backup Client Hosts.
On the Tape Server, amcheck goes through the same tape checking used at the start of the nightly amdump process. This verifies that the correct tape for the next run is in the correct drive. The holding disks are also checked to insure that they have enough free space for the next amdump run.
Amcheck also causes a self-check to be run on all of the Backup Clients. This check makes sure each host is up and running, and that the permissions on all the filesystems to be backed-up are correct.
With the -s option only the Tape Server checks to be run, and with the -c option only the Backup Client checks are run.
The -w option enables a destructive check for write-protection on the tape (which would cause the subsequent amdump to fail). If the tape is writeable, this check causes all data after the tape label to be erased (actually depends on the device driver: there is no portable non-destructive way to check for write-protection). The check is only made if the tape is otherwise correct.
If the -m option is given, nothing is printed, but mail is sent to the "mailto" address (as specified by the amanda.conf file in /etc/amanda/config) if any errors are detected.
See the amanda(8) man page for more details about Amanda.
Amanda Backup Client Hosts Check
--------------------------------
WARNING: northstar: selfcheck request timed out. Host down?
WARNING: drinkme: selfcheck request timed out. Host down?
WARNING: scruffy: selfcheck request timed out. Host down?
Client check: 136 hosts checked in 51.945 seconds, 3 problems found.
(brought to you by Amanda 2.2.1)