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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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What to include in a backup? (Ubuntu) (lemmy.ml)

submitted 7 months ago by WbrJr@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Hi! A friend just recommended the backup tool that comes with Ubuntu. I took a look at it and was wondering what you guys include and exclude from the backups. I just installed wire guard VPN and but the config file in the etc/wireguard folder, where it belongs. I would have to include this folder as well if I want to keep my configs. And I guess many programs do the same, so how do you know what to include, so you can just revert to the last backup if something breaks or you get a new machine? Maybe that is a stupid question, but it was going through my head for some time now. Thanks a lot!

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[–] limelight79@lemm.ee 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Data and configurations.

If you have the space, software is nice because it's easier to get the system going again, but the data (your files - music, documents, pictures) and system configuration files (/etc for example) are the most critical. If you have databases set up, learn about their dump commands and add that.

You don't have to use the same method for everything. My pictures are backed up to another side in a second computer and to Amazon Glacier for $2/month (I'll have to pay to download them if I ever need it, but I'll gladly pay if I'm in that situation - those should only be needed if I have a major house fire or something like that). My weekly backups are my /home directories, /etc, /root, a database dump, and maybe one or two other important things.

[–] kevincox@lemmy.ml 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Really configuration is best not backed up but created from some source of truth like a Git repo. But a backup can serve as a poor-man's version control.

[–] limelight79@lemm.ee 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

An interesting idea, but it might be overkill for a home setup.