5 ms·

That sucks. Everyone has been there. On my first sysadmin job I did an rm /* as root and then discovered my backups across the network to a remote tape unit had

by pnw 3y ago

That sucks. Everyone has been there. On my first sysadmin job I did an rm /* as root and then discovered my backups across the network to a remote tape unit had a buffering issue and were basically useless.

nicbou 3y ago
I know that this is the time to say "you should have tested your backups", but I never tested mine. How does one test a (personal) backup strategy?
- LoganDark 3y ago
  > How does one test a (personal) backup strategy? Boot into one. (Clone it onto a spare drive and use that as a boot target.) If it works flawlessly, there's your backup. If it doesn't, fix your backups so they're bootable.
- hnbear 3y ago
  Personally my personal files like important docs go to: - iCloud (automatically) - Local nightly rsync to a zfs share from local Docs folder - Backblaze - Some crit stuff to OneDrive - TimeMachine on a local Linux server at home Periodically I check them all, verify file counts and sizes, spot check files. Periodically isn’t that often, but I’ve actually needed backed up files and used it. Data volume are low though. I keep Photos libraries similarly backed up. That’s harder to verify, although sizes is pretty good. Even if the library metadata gets fried the raw files still exist in the folder structure.
- j7ake 3y ago
  Buy an extra computer that is blank and periodically restore your back ups into the extra computer.
  - politelemon 3y ago
    On similar lines, I like to reformat every year or so at least. It forces a backup test.
    - msh 3y ago
      Its not a test if failling it results in lost data.
      - LoganDark 3y ago
        Sure it is. Plenty of companies test load balancing by temporarily shutting off power to one of their data centers and seeing if anyone notices. It's just that usually they can turn the power back on if something does go wrong, but you won't have many recovery options if you blank your only bootable drive. So do use a spare.
- Dylan16807 3y ago
  Use something that can mount backups and poke around inside. And when you're setting up that test, get the password and any other details to access the backups via a back up method too.
thelittleone 3y ago
Did this at insurance company back in 99. They'd been running on desktop pcs with tops off in a closet (server room) with carpet floors. Built a cluster in two full racks and Friday after COV started migration. Failed all though Saturday and Sunday to restore data. Has tested backups (DAT drives) after backup which passed but something corrupted. Found another backup tape, and had it up at 0745am on Monday. Zero sleep all weekend had to call in some other admins to get it done. Was both stressful and exhilarating. Became extremely cautious with backup testing since then.

by pnw 3y ago

nicbou 3y ago

I know that this is the time to say "you should have tested your backups", but I never tested mine. How does one test a (personal) backup strategy?

LoganDark 3y ago
> How does one test a (personal) backup strategy? Boot into one. (Clone it onto a spare drive and use that as a boot target.) If it works flawlessly, there's your backup. If it doesn't, fix your backups so they're bootable.
hnbear 3y ago
Personally my personal files like important docs go to: - iCloud (automatically) - Local nightly rsync to a zfs share from local Docs folder - Backblaze - Some crit stuff to OneDrive - TimeMachine on a local Linux server at home Periodically I check them all, verify file counts and sizes, spot check files. Periodically isn’t that often, but I’ve actually needed backed up files and used it. Data volume are low though. I keep Photos libraries similarly backed up. That’s harder to verify, although sizes is pretty good. Even if the library metadata gets fried the raw files still exist in the folder structure.
j7ake 3y ago
Buy an extra computer that is blank and periodically restore your back ups into the extra computer.
- politelemon 3y ago
  On similar lines, I like to reformat every year or so at least. It forces a backup test.
  - msh 3y ago
    Its not a test if failling it results in lost data.
    - LoganDark 3y ago
      Sure it is. Plenty of companies test load balancing by temporarily shutting off power to one of their data centers and seeing if anyone notices. It's just that usually they can turn the power back on if something does go wrong, but you won't have many recovery options if you blank your only bootable drive. So do use a spare.
Dylan16807 3y ago
Use something that can mount backups and poke around inside. And when you're setting up that test, get the password and any other details to access the backups via a back up method too.

thelittleone 3y ago

Did this at insurance company back in 99. They'd been running on desktop pcs with tops off in a closet (server room) with carpet floors. Built a cluster in two full racks and Friday after COV started migration. Failed all though Saturday and Sunday to restore data. Has tested backups (DAT drives) after backup which passed but something corrupted. Found another backup tape, and had it up at 0745am on Monday. Zero sleep all weekend had to call in some other admins to get it done. Was both stressful and exhilarating. Became extremely cautious with backup testing since then.