Data Backup and Recovery Strategies
Data Backup and Recovery Strategies
This article details data backup and recovery strategies for a MediaWiki 1.40 installation. Protecting your wiki’s data is crucial for ensuring its continued operation and preventing data loss due to hardware failure, software bugs, security breaches, or human error. This guide will cover various methods, from simple file system backups to more complex database replication setups. Understanding these strategies will allow you to choose the best approach for your specific needs and resources. We will also cover testing your backups to ensure recoverability.
Understanding Backup Types
There are several common backup types, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right type depends on your Recovery Point Objective (RPO) – how much data loss is acceptable – and your Recovery Time Objective (RTO) – how long it takes to restore service.
Here's a breakdown:
- Full Backup: Copies all data. Slowest but simplest to restore.
- Differential Backup: Copies all data that has changed since the *last full backup*. Faster than full backups, but restores require the last full backup *and* the latest differential backup.
- Incremental Backup: Copies all data that has changed since the *last backup of any type* (full, differential, or incremental). Fastest backup, but slowest restore as it requires the last full backup and *all* subsequent incremental backups.
Backup Schedule Considerations
A regular backup schedule is paramount. Consider the following:
- Frequency: Daily backups are common for active wikis. Less active wikis might suffice with weekly backups. The frequency depends on how often content is updated.
- Retention: How long do you keep backups? A rolling retention policy (e.g., keep daily backups for a week, weekly backups for a month, monthly backups for a year) is recommended.
- Offsite Storage: Storing backups in a different physical location protects against disasters affecting the primary server. Cloud storage services (like Amazon S3 or Backblaze B2) are popular options. See Data Storage for more information.
Backing Up MediaWiki Files
MediaWiki consists of files and a database. Both need to be backed up.
File System Backup
The MediaWiki installation directory (containing `config/`, `images/`, `extensions/`, etc.) must be backed up. This can be done using standard file system tools like `tar`, `rsync`, or your operating system’s backup utility.
Here's a table outlining common tools:
| Tool | Operating System | Description |
|---|---|---|
| tar | Linux, macOS, Windows (via Cygwin) | Creates archive files. Useful for full backups. |
| rsync | Linux, macOS, Windows (via Cygwin) | Efficiently copies files, only transferring changes. Ideal for incremental backups. |
| Windows Backup | Windows | Built-in backup utility for Windows servers. |
| Duplicati | Cross-platform | Free, open-source backup software with encryption and scheduling. |
Example `tar` command (Linux/macOS):
```bash tar -czvf mediawiki_files_backup.tar.gz /path/to/mediawiki ```
Replace `/path/to/mediawiki` with the actual path to your MediaWiki installation.
Important Files to Include
The following files are particularly important:
- `LocalSettings.php`: Contains database connection details and other critical configuration settings.
- `config/`: Holds configuration files.
- `images/`: Contains uploaded images and other media.
- `extensions/`: Contains installed extensions.
- `.htaccess` (if using Apache): Contains server configuration directives.
Backing Up the MediaWiki Database
The MediaWiki database (typically MySQL/MariaDB or PostgreSQL) stores all the wiki's content, user data, and revision history. Backing up the database is *essential*.
MySQL/MariaDB Backup
Use `mysqldump` to create a SQL dump of the database.
```bash mysqldump -u [username] -p[password] [database_name] > mediawiki_db_backup.sql ```
Replace `[username]`, `[password]`, and `[database_name]` with your database credentials and name.
PostgreSQL Backup
Use `pg_dump` to create a SQL dump of the database.
```bash pg_dump -U [username] -d [database_name] > mediawiki_db_backup.sql ```
Replace `[username]` and `[database_name]` with your database credentials and name.
Database Backup Frequency Table
This table offers guidance on backup frequency based on wiki activity levels:
| Wiki Activity | Database Backup Frequency | Recommended Backup Type |
|---|---|---|
| Low (Few edits per week) | Weekly | Full |
| Medium (Daily edits) | Daily | Full or Incremental with Weekly Full |
| High (Constant edits) | Hourly or more frequently | Incremental with Daily Full |
Recovery Strategies
Having backups is only half the battle. You must also have a tested recovery plan.
File Restoration
To restore files, simply extract the backup archive to the MediaWiki installation directory. Ensure the correct ownership and permissions are set.
Database Restoration
To restore the database:
1. Create a new empty database (if necessary). 2. Import the SQL dump using the `mysql` or `psql` command-line tools.
For MySQL/MariaDB:
```bash mysql -u [username] -p[password] [database_name] < mediawiki_db_backup.sql ```
For PostgreSQL:
```bash psql -U [username] -d [database_name] < mediawiki_db_backup.sql ```
Disaster Recovery Considerations
In a disaster scenario, having an offsite backup is critical. You may need to restore the wiki on a new server. Ensure you have the necessary server software (web server, PHP, database server) installed and configured. Refer to Server Installation for details. Also, review Configuration Settings to ensure the new installation matches the old.
Testing Your Backups
Regularly test your backups to ensure they are working correctly. Restore the backups to a test environment and verify that the wiki functions as expected. This is often overlooked but is vital for a successful recovery. Document your recovery process in Recovery Procedures.
Additional Resources
Intel-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Core i7-6700K/7700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB | CPU Benchmark: 8046 |
| Core i7-8700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 13124 |
| Core i9-9900K Server | 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 49969 |
| Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Workstation | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000 |
AMD-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 3600 Server | 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 17849 |
| Ryzen 7 7700 Server | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 35224 |
| Ryzen 9 5950X Server | 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 46045 |
| Ryzen 9 7950X Server | 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 63561 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) | 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) | 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 9454P Server | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe |
Order Your Dedicated Server
Configure and order your ideal server configuration
Need Assistance?
- Telegram: @powervps Servers at a discounted price
⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️