Re: [PLUG] Backup Solutions

[Ted Mittelstaedt]

Admin:   Backup of critical files only for no more than a year and less than
that if large data amounts over a TB

User:  "why can't you restore my file from 1976 I needd it!"

Ted

-Original Message-
From: PLUG  On Behalf Of Paul Heinlein
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 1:44 PM
To: Portland Linux/Unix Group 
Subject: Re: [PLUG] Backup Solutions

On Wed, 21 Feb 2024, Charles Sliger wrote:

> Looking for recommendations for Linux backups.
> Anyone use theirs for actual restoring of files or disks?

Yes.

At work, we use Bacula and an actual in-operation tape library. We've never
had trouble with restoring data, but we don't image or restore whole block
devices. We maintain a few petabytes of data on tape.

We also use a product that I believe now goes by the name MSB Backup. 
We have a licensed version, but there's a free version for desktop machines.
We use that product to back files up to Amazon S3/Glacier; we do test
restorations at least once a year, and we've not yet had any problems.

But, really, first things first:

Are you concerned with hardware failure (e.g., failed disk), human failure
(e.g, mistakenly deleted file), or both?

Human failure can largely be mitigated with some sort of copy-on-write file
snapshotting system, which can be provided by ZFS, LVM, and related
technologies.

If hardware failure, what is the scope of failure against which you want to
protect? Failed hard drive? Stolen computer? Burned-down domicile? Cascadia
under water? Your answer will tall you a lot about where to store your
files: a second hard drive, a removable hard drive kept in a secure
location, a local off-site venue, an out-of-region venue.

What is the timeframe of failure you want to guard against? A day? A week?
Month? Year? Longer?

Do you need your backups stored in multiple locations?

--
Paul Heinlein
heinl...@madboa.com
45°22'48" N, 122°35'36" W

Re: [PLUG] Backup Solutions

[Paul Heinlein]

On Wed, 21 Feb 2024, Charles Sliger wrote:


Looking for recommendations for Linux backups.
Anyone use theirs for actual restoring of files or disks?


Yes.

At work, we use Bacula and an actual in-operation tape library. We've 
never had trouble with restoring data, but we don't image or restore 
whole block devices. We maintain a few petabytes of data on tape.


We also use a product that I believe now goes by the name MSB Backup. 
We have a licensed version, but there's a free version for desktop 
machines. We use that product to back files up to Amazon S3/Glacier; 
we do test restorations at least once a year, and we've not yet had 
any problems.


But, really, first things first:

Are you concerned with hardware failure (e.g., failed disk), human 
failure (e.g, mistakenly deleted file), or both?


Human failure can largely be mitigated with some sort of copy-on-write 
file snapshotting system, which can be provided by ZFS, LVM, and 
related technologies.


If hardware failure, what is the scope of failure against which you 
want to protect? Failed hard drive? Stolen computer? Burned-down 
domicile? Cascadia under water? Your answer will tall you a lot about 
where to store your files: a second hard drive, a removable hard drive 
kept in a secure location, a local off-site venue, an out-of-region 
venue.


What is the timeframe of failure you want to guard against? A day? A 
week? Month? Year? Longer?


Do you need your backups stored in multiple locations?

--
Paul Heinlein
heinl...@madboa.com
45°22'48" N, 122°35'36" W

Re: [PLUG] Backup Solutions

[Rich Shepard]

On Wed, 21 Feb 2024, Charles Sliger wrote:


Looking for recommendations for Linux backups. Anyone use theirs for
actual restoring of files or disks?


Charles,

Dirvish . It's based on rsync. I've been using it
for years and have restored individual files, directories, and entire
partitions when a hard drive failed.

I have a root crontab that runs every night at 00:30 backing up the
server/workstation, incrementally (i.e., only changed files.)

If you need help ask me or sign up to the dirvish mail list.

HTH,

Rich

[PLUG] Backup Solutions

[Charles Sliger]

Looking for recommendations for Linux backups.
Anyone use theirs for actual restoring of files or disks?
Regards,
-- 
-chaz
Charles Sliger
"No matter where you go... There you are... Buckaroo Banzai"