Backups: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
m changes ul to ol - still not rendering
Line 1: Line 1:
== Types of Backups ==
== Types of Backups ==
There are three primary use cases or types of backups:
There are three primary use cases or types of backups:
<ul style="list-style-type : upper-roman;">
<ol style="list-style-type : upper-roman;">
<li><strong>Operational</strong>: Routine (e.g. daily) backups - especially in a networked multi-user environment for operational resiliency and efficiency</li>
<li><strong>Operational</strong>: Routine (e.g. daily) backups - especially in a networked multi-user environment for operational resiliency and efficiency</li>
<li><strong>File</strong>: "Full" file system archive to online storage before re-building a host (completely reformatting disks and partitions)</li>
<li><strong>File</strong>: "Full" file system archive to online storage before re-building a host (completely reformatting disks and partitions)</li>
<li><strong>System Image</strong>: A complete operating system image to allow either cloning to new hardware, or full system restoration</li>
<li><strong>System Image</strong>: A complete operating system image to allow either cloning to new hardware, or full system restoration</li>
</ul>
</ol>
== Example Use Cases ==
== Example Use Cases ==
<ul style="list-style-type : upper-roman;">
<ol style="list-style-type : upper-roman;">
<li> I accidentally deleted a file, and I want to get it back (without having to call Tech Services) and if I can't get my file back, I want to blame tech services</li>
<li> I accidentally deleted a file, and I want to get it back (without having to call Tech Services) and if I can't get my file back, I want to blame tech services</li>
<li> I want to make an online (meaning network accessible) archive of my old machine before I wipe it completely to turn it into a Media Center PC (Using Mythbuntu or LinuxMCE)</li>
<li> I want to make an online (meaning network accessible) archive of my old machine before I wipe it completely to turn it into a Media Center PC (Using Mythbuntu or LinuxMCE)</li>
<li> I want to making a full system backup of my notebook before I do a distribution upgrade from Kubuntu 8.4 to Kubuntu 8.10 -- just in case the upgrade doesn't go smoothly so that I can revert and start again, or revert and work on resolving blockers.</li>
<li> I want to making a full system backup of my notebook before I do a distribution upgrade from Kubuntu 8.4 to Kubuntu 8.10 -- just in case the upgrade doesn't go smoothly so that I can revert and start again, or revert and work on resolving blockers.</li>
</ul>
</ol>


Given the different goals of what one might mean by the term "backup", there are naturally different solutions that work best in each scenario.  If you are a technical user, you must get familiar with [http://samba.anu.edu.au/rsync RSync].  Even when you need to employ other systems or tools, RSync is the swiss army knife of backups.
Given the different goals of what one might mean by the term "backup", there are naturally different solutions that work best in each scenario.  If you are a technical user, you must get familiar with [http://samba.anu.edu.au/rsync RSync].  Even when you need to employ other systems or tools, RSync is the swiss army knife of backups.