Nowadays, computer systems are becoming increasingly complex and, therefore, more prone to failures, cybersecurity attacks or loss of information. For this reason, it is essential to have backup copies, also known as backups, that allow lost data to be recovered in the event of an incident. In this article, we are going to talk about the importance of backups in Linux systems and how to make them correctly.
Why are backups important on Linux systems?
In Linux systems, as in any other operating system, it is essential to perform regular backups, as this allows information to be recovered in the event of hardware failures, software problems, cybersecurity attacks or even human error.
In addition, backups are especially important in Linux servers, since they often host critical and sensitive information for the proper functioning of the organization, such as databases, e-mails or customer management systems.
Therefore, backups are an essential security measure to ensure business continuity and minimize the risk of losing valuable information.
How to make backups correctly on Linux systems?
There are several ways to make backups on Linux systems, here are some of the most common ones:
File and directory backups.
One of the easiest ways to make backups on Linux systems is by copying files and directories. To do this, you can use the “cp” or “tar” command on the command line.
The “cp” command allows you to copy files and directories individually. For example, to make a copy of the file “document.txt” to a backup directory named “backup”, the following command can be used:
cp document.txt /path/of/backup/On the other hand, the “tar” command allows you to create compressed archives containing one or more files or directories. To create a compressed archive named “backup.tar.gz” with the files “document.txt” and “image.jpg” and the directory “documents”, the following command can be used:
tar -czvf backup.tar.gz document.txt image.jpg documents/Backing up the entire system
Another way of backing up Linux systems is by creating full system images. For this, tools such as “dd” or “Clonezilla” can be used.
The “dd” command allows you to create an exact image of the hard disk or a partition. To create an image of a partition named “sda1” and save it in a file named “image.img”, the following command can be used:
dd if=/dev/sda1 of=/path/of/image.imgOn the other hand, Clonezilla is a more advanced tool that allows you to make complete backups and restores of Linux systems. This tool can be run from a CD or USB stick and allows you to create complete images of the system or individual partitions.
Cloud backups
Another increasingly common way of backing up is by using cloud services such as Dropbox, Google Drive or Amazon S3. Or even infrastructure reference providers such as Stackscale.
Verification of backups
Once the backup has been performed, it is important to verify that the data has been backed up correctly. To do this, it is advisable to perform data recovery tests to ensure that the data can be recovered correctly. This involves checking that the information contained in the backup can be accessed and recovered without problems.
In addition, it is important to verify that the backup has been performed correctly at regular time intervals. This will help ensure that the backup is still valid and that the data has not been corrupted or deleted.
Storage of backups
Another important aspect of backing up is the proper storage of the data. It is necessary to ensure that backups are stored in a secure and accessible location. In general, it is best to store backups in a separate location from the main servers and systems to minimize the risk of data loss in case of natural disasters, fire, theft, among others.
In addition, it is important to ensure that the storage chosen for backups is secure and resilient enough to protect data against any kind of damage or corruption. This involves making sure that the storage chosen is resistant to shocks, drops, surges, humidity, among others.
Automating backups
To ensure that backups are performed on a regular basis, it is important to automate the process as much as possible. This can be achieved by using automated backup tools and applications.
Automated backup tools allow backups to be scheduled at regular intervals, which means that the process can be carried out without manual intervention. This reduces the possibility of forgetting or failing to perform important backups.
Conclusion
Backing up is an important part of Linux server and system administration. Backups are essential to protect critical business data and ensure business continuity in the event of system failures.
To properly back up Linux systems, it is important to follow a number of best practices. These include selecting the data to be backed up, choosing the right backup tool, planning the frequency of backups, verifying backups, storing backups securely, and automating the backup process.
In short, backups are a critical part of Linux system and server administration and should be considered a priority for any business that depends on its data for its success. By following the best practices described in this article, system administrators can ensure that their backups are effective and secure.
