Backup data between servers

Introduction

Regular server backups are vital to protect against data loss and minimise downtime in the event of a server failure or disaster. By creating copies of critical data and storing them in a separate location, organisations can ensure that their valuable information is safeguarded.

Traditionally, manual backups required IT personnel to dedicate significant time and effort to the process. This not only placed a burden on staff members but also introduced the potential for human error. However, with the advent of advanced server backup tools, the process has become much more streamlined and efficient.

Benefits of server backups

Data management and cybersecurity strategies rely heavily on server backups, as they offer a multitude of advantages. Server backups offer the following benefits:

  • Data loss prevention: Backups ensure that critical data cannot be lost due to hardware failures, accidental deletions, or other unforeseen events by creating duplicate copies.
  • Business continuity: Data backups minimize downtime in the event of data loss or system failures. Businesses can thus continue operations without incurring financial losses and maintaining customer trust without prolonged interruptions.
  • Cost savings: Server backups provide a readily available source of truth, resulting in significant reductions in recovery costs and time. With limited resources, small and medium-sized businesses are particularly vulnerable.
  • Protection against cyberthreats: When backups are isolated from the main network, ransomware and malware attacks are less likely to occur. In this way, even if the primary data is compromised, a clean copy can be restored from backups, preventing data breaches and extortion attempts.
  • Regulatory compliance: Data protection and retention regulations are strict in many industries. Organizations can meet compliance requirements by ensuring historical data is preserved and accessible for a long time.
  • Disaster recovery: Backups offer businesses the opportunity to recover data in the event of natural disasters or other catastrophic events
  • Scalability: Businesses of all sizes can benefit from server backup solutions. No matter what your needs are, backup solutions can be tailored to meet your specific needs, whether you have one computer or a large enterprise with a complex server infrastructure.

Step-by-Step Guide on now to backup data between servers

 rsync

1. Copy one directory via ssh

rsync -a --delete --quiet -e ssh /folder user@host:/location/of/backup

2. Copy the entire system

rsync -aAXv --exclude={"/dev/*","/proc/*","/sys/*","/tmp/*","/run/*","/mnt/*","/media/*","/lost+found"} / /backup

3. Perform full cloning

rsync -qaHAXS SOURCE_DIR DESTINATION_DIR

-H, --hard-links keeps hard links
-A, --acls save the ACL (implies -p)
-X, -xattrs save extended attributes
-S, --sparse effectively handles sparse files

dd

4. Clone an entire disk

dd if=/dev/sdX of=/dev/sdY bs=64K conv=noerror,sync status=progress

or

ssh server1 'dd if=/some/file' | ssh server2 'dd of=/new/file/path'

Keeping server backups secures your digital assets

In the event of a data loss, system failure, cyberattack, or unforeseen disaster, a server backup can provide a lifeline. In challenging circumstances, they ensure that critical data can be retrieved and operations resume. With the evolution of data management and protection, server backups are the tried-and-true method of securing digital assets.

Data assessment, strategy design, and rigorous testing are the keys to protecting your digital assets with server backups. Redundancy, encryption, and multi-location storage are also implemented to mitigate risks. Maintaining the integrity of your backup systems requires continuous monitoring, regular updating, and employee training. Finally, it also involves extending your safety net to the cloud by adopting cloud-based and offsite backups.