Linode Web Hosting Backup Tools and Services
Linode backup operations can be performed using either an internal tool or external software. The built-in tool operates on the server side, giving Linode online backup service for clients. External tools are operating on the client side, providing the full control.
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We will describe the client-side Linode backup and restore solution called Handy Backup as the sample external software, fully equipped with features for online backup operations, such as FTP backup of Web hosting content and MySQL backup of "hot" databases.
Linode Backup Options:
Linode Backups Service: Linode offers a backup service that automatically takes daily, weekly, and bi-weekly snapshots of your Linode. This is a paid service, and you can enable it for your Linode from the Linode Manager. Follow these steps:
- Log in to the Linode Manager.
- Select the Linode you want to back up.
- Click on the "Backups" tab.
- Follow the instructions to enable and configure backups.
Linode Backups service is convenient, but note that it has a retention period, and older backups may be overwritten.
Manual Snapshots: You can manually create a snapshot of your Linode at any time through the Linode Manager. This is a non-automated option but gives you more control over when the snapshot is taken:
- Select the Linode you want to back up.
- Click on the "Create Snapshot" button.
Snapshots can be used to restore your Linode to a specific point in time.
DIY Backup:
File and Database Backups:
- Regularly backup your website/application files and databases. For example, use tools like rsync for files and mysqldump for databases.
- You can automate these processes using cron jobs.
Off-site Storage:
- Consider storing your backups in a location separate from your Linode. You can use cloud storage services like AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, or other remote servers.
- Make sure the off-site storage is secure and accessible when needed.
Version Control:
- If your website's code is in a version control system (e.g., Git), make sure it's regularly pushed to a remote repository. This doesn't replace a backup but provides a version history for your code.
Linode is not a Web hosting, but a virtual SSD server provider, designed for IT specialists of any area, such as developing, graphics or system integration. This service is not quite cheap; however, it provides the unprecedented level of data protection and accessibility.
Backups can be made via FTP or SSH. The internal backup tool by Linode also provides backup disk image for virtual servers, as well as to force Linode backup MySQL databases. However, this service does not allow external cloud hosting, and is costly, anyway.
Client-side Automatic Linode Backup Software
Handy Backup executes on a client side, providing users total control over the backup process. It can perform backup and restore through FTP, as well as use Linode to backup MySQL data. It can also perform backup of disk image.
Online backup via Handy Backup allows saving backups of Linode to commercial clouds, FTP or local data storage device. The supported technique of cloud-based server backup allows such things as mirroring servers and storing Linode backup to Amazon S3 cloud hosting.
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Features of Handy Backup
To backup Linode servers, Handy Backup uses the two basic options: "FTP" and "MySQL", allowing saving either an entire Linode backup disk image (or some particular files and folders), or copying MySQL database information.
The featured options of Handy Backup for using with backups of Linode are listed here:
- Full, incremental, differential or mixed backup, for size and time economy;
- Storing versioned backups with timestamps, to sort backups by date;
- Synchronizing and mirroring virtual servers by FTP, to copy data to and fro;
- Precise scheduling from minutes to months, for automation of backup;
- Hot backup without stopping Linode server.
Besides these sample crucial advantages, there are many more options to be used with Handy Backup, include compression, encryption, user notification, automated running of other programs before and after the task and many other.
Wide choice of possible data destinations, both local and online, completes with the default option of keeping data in native formats, which allows using these data from Linode backups directly and immediately with corresponding applications.
About "FTP" and "MySQL" Features
These features automates online connections and data downloading from remote servers with corresponding protocols available. Before backup, a user must configure new connection settings, entering user name, password, port number etc.
To set up Linode backup, please select a "New connection…" option inside the feature setup window. Please read the manual for establishing connection with these features and see a backup instruction for appropriate settings.