Data Backup Strategies

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  1. Data Backup Strategies

This article details various data backup strategies applicable to a MediaWiki 1.40 installation, aiming to provide a comprehensive guide for system administrators and newcomers alike. Protecting your wiki's data is paramount, and a robust backup strategy is essential for disaster recovery, data loss prevention, and maintaining business continuity. This guide will explore different methods, their advantages, disadvantages, and recommended practices.

Understanding Backup Needs

Before diving into specific strategies, it's crucial to understand the scope of data that needs backing up. A MediaWiki installation consists of several key components:

  • Wiki Text: The content of your wiki pages, stored in the database.
  • Images and Files: Uploaded media used within the wiki.
  • Configuration Files: `LocalSettings.php` and other settings files controlling wiki behavior.
  • Database: Where all wiki data (pages, revisions, user information, etc.) is stored.
  • Extensions: Any installed extensions and their configuration.

Failing to back up any of these components can lead to data loss or a non-functional wiki. Consider the frequency of content updates, the size of your wiki, and your Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) when choosing a strategy. See Disaster Recovery Planning for more information on RTO and RPO.

Backup Strategies

Several backup strategies can be employed, ranging from simple to complex. Here's an overview:

      1. 1. Database Backups

This is the most critical component of any MediaWiki backup strategy. Regular database backups ensure you can restore the wiki's content. The method used depends on your database server (MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, etc.).

Database Type Backup Command (Example) Notes
MySQL/MariaDB `mysqldump -u [username] -p[password] [database_name] > backup.sql` Use appropriate credentials and database name. Consider compression (e.g., `gzip`) for larger databases.
PostgreSQL `pg_dump -U [username] [database_name] > backup.sql` Ensure the user has appropriate permissions.

Important Considerations:

  • Frequency: Daily backups are generally recommended for active wikis. More frequent backups (hourly or even more often) may be necessary for wikis with high update rates. See Database Maintenance for further details.
  • Compression: Compress backups (using `gzip`, `bzip2`, or similar) to save storage space.
  • Retention: Implement a retention policy to manage backup storage. Keep multiple backups for a specified period (e.g., weekly backups for a month, monthly backups for a year).
      1. 2. File System Backups

Backing up the `images/` directory (where uploaded files are stored) is essential. You can use standard file system backup tools like `rsync`, `tar`, or dedicated backup software.

Backup Tool Command (Example) Notes
rsync `rsync -avz /path/to/mediawiki/images/ /path/to/backup/location/` `rsync` efficiently copies only changed files, making it suitable for incremental backups.
tar `tar -czvf backup.tar.gz /path/to/mediawiki/images/` Creates a compressed archive of the `images/` directory.

Important Considerations:

  • Permissions: Ensure the backup preserves file permissions.
  • Synchronization: If using `rsync`, consider using the `--delete` option to remove files from the backup that no longer exist in the source directory. Be careful with this option!
      1. 3. Configuration File Backups

`LocalSettings.php` contains crucial configuration information. Backing up this file, along with any custom extension configuration files, is vital for restoring the wiki to its correct settings.

File Backup Method Notes
LocalSettings.php Copy to a secure location. Include in file system backups. This file contains sensitive information (database credentials).
Extension Configuration Files Copy to a secure location. Include in file system backups. These files control the behavior of installed extensions.

Important Considerations:

  • Security: Protect `LocalSettings.php` as it contains database credentials. Restrict access to this file. See Security Best Practices for more information.

Backup Verification and Testing

Regularly verifying your backups is *critical*. A backup is useless if it cannot be restored.

  • Restore Testing: Periodically restore your wiki from a backup to a test environment to ensure the process works correctly.
  • Integrity Checks: Use tools to verify the integrity of your backup files.
  • Documentation: Maintain clear documentation of your backup procedures, including schedules, locations, and restoration steps. See System Administration Documentation for guidance.

Backup Locations

Choose backup locations carefully. Avoid storing backups on the same physical server as the wiki. Consider these options:

  • Offsite Storage: Store backups in a separate physical location (e.g., a different data center, cloud storage).
  • Cloud Storage: Utilize cloud storage services (e.g., Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Azure Blob Storage) for offsite backups.
  • Network Attached Storage (NAS): Store backups on a NAS device connected to your network.

Combining Strategies

A comprehensive backup strategy often involves combining multiple methods. For example:

  • Daily database backups + weekly file system backups + monthly full system backups.
  • Local backups for fast recovery + offsite backups for disaster recovery.

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