Hello Linuxers,
I am using a casual CentOS dedicated server and I host 20 accounts. What is the best method to restore accounts files and mySql back up?

Thanks!

noone can tell you what is the best process for you, because it depends on a lot of things (like amount of data to backup, the frequency of backups, ...)
About mysql: please check the official page to find suggested methods.

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Depending on the backup volume.
1. DVD-RW
2. BD-RE
3. USB Stick

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+1 on as many as you can, "formats"$ too..!

Good insight.

- Amount of data to backup (capacity of your data)
- Frequency of backup (Daily, Weekly [Differential, Full])
- Data retention (how long you want to keep your backup, 1 month then replace, 1 year then replace)
If it is accounting data consult your legal counsel what is the government law about keeping your the data

You might also need to consider, restoration process. There's no point of thinking how to back up if restoring data is not being considered.

Consider this also: Tape backup, USB backup, Cloud backup, Offsite backup (if in case the whole server room vanish like a water vapor)

Commands to backup that is available on most Distro: Rsync, Tar, Dd (data destroyer), Cp (of course) etc..

Good luck!!

I am asking about the Software. Not the hardware. Eg, I am backing up every month Each account files and mysql. I save them at SSD external drive and at a cloud service. Is that OK?

Thank you for your responses.

AGAIN: No one can tell you what is 'best' for you. There are MANY programs to do full/incremental backups, and you've said nothing about your requirements (retention, versioning, restore time, online/nearline/offline storage, etc.)

Short answer: if you're comfortable with what you have, and can get to your backups when needed, you're done.
Long answer: if you don't THINK you're covered, you need to actually test your backups, and make SURE things work the way you want them to, and address problems as they come up.

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It is if you encrypt locally,before sending to any "cloud service".
</opinion>

As for me I prefer classic way of using tar command with something like
it took a few hours on desktop but may be longer on a big server. To restore from backup you just need to extract it to the file tree.

If you need more information check man tar or read this entry.

Thank you so much for your responses. I would like to know what do you prefer/use for your back up methods :-)

I have two HDDs, one of them in my PC, the other one is a WD My Passport Wireless Portable External Hard Drive, and for example pictures are also saved on flickr.
synced by hand, on demand

Backup to another server, back up to USB and bring offsite, if luxury allows I would prefer another backup to NAS. A total of 3 backups.

What is NAS folk?

Likely network-attached storage (NAS)

I use email as well, there maybe better one for storage or just services designed for it like DropBox &c...

searching: list of backup methods
brings in some good thoughts.