Back up your wiki

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Back up your wiki

Maintaining a functional and accessible MediaWiki installation is paramount for any organization or individual relying on collaborative knowledge management. A critical component of ensuring this functionality is a robust and regularly executed backup strategy. This article details the importance of backing up your wiki, the different methods available, specifications for a sound backup plan, use cases, performance considerations, pros and cons of various approaches, and ultimately, a conclusion outlining best practices. This is crucial for all types of installations, from small personal wikis to large enterprise deployments hosted on a dedicated server. Protecting your data from loss due to hardware failure, software corruption, accidental deletion, or malicious attacks is the primary goal of establishing a comprehensive "Back up your wiki" procedure. The principles discussed here apply whether your wiki is hosted on a shared hosting environment, a VPS, or a dedicated server.

Overview

A wiki backup is a copy of all the data that makes up your wiki, including the MediaWiki software itself, the wiki's configuration files, the database containing the wiki content, and any uploaded files (images, documents, etc.). A well-designed backup strategy isn't just about creating copies; it’s about ensuring those copies are reliable, restorable, and readily available when needed. Different methods exist, ranging from simple database dumps to full filesystem backups. The choice of method depends on factors like the size of your wiki, the frequency of updates, the available storage space, and your technical expertise. Regular backups are vital. Data loss can occur unexpectedly, and the time it takes to recreate lost content can be significant. Consider also a disaster recovery plan which goes beyond simply restoring data, and also covers service resumption and minimizing downtime. The frequency of backups should be determined by the rate of change of your wiki's content. A wiki with frequent edits requires more frequent backups than a static wiki. Database backups are particularly critical, as they contain the core information of your wiki.

Specifications

A successful "Back up your wiki" plan requires meticulous attention to detail. Here's a breakdown of technical specifications.

Backup Component Specification Recommended Frequency
MediaWiki Core Files Full copy of the MediaWiki directory structure (e.g., /var/www/html/mediawiki) Weekly, or after major software updates
Wiki Configuration (LocalSettings.php) Separate backup of the LocalSettings.php file. Protect this file carefully as it contains sensitive database credentials. Weekly, or after any configuration changes
Database (MySQL/MariaDB/PostgreSQL) Database dump using `mysqldump`, `pg_dump`, or equivalent tools. Daily, or more frequently for high-activity wikis
Uploaded Files (Images, Documents) Directory containing all uploaded files (usually `/var/www/html/mediawiki/images`) Daily, or with Database backup
Backup Storage Location Offsite storage (separate physical location, cloud storage) is crucial. Continuous replication or regular uploads
Backup Retention Policy Define how long backups are retained. Consider a tiered approach (daily for a week, weekly for a month, monthly for a year). Based on regulatory requirements and business needs

Further specifications regard the backup *method* itself. For larger wikis, consider incremental backups, which only store the changes since the last full backup. This significantly reduces storage space and backup time. Compression is also important, using tools like `gzip` or `bzip2` to reduce the size of backup files. Encryption should be employed to protect sensitive data, especially if backups are stored offsite. The specific commands used will depend on your operating system and database system. For example, a basic MySQL database backup command might look like: `mysqldump -u [username] -p[password] [database_name] > wiki_backup.sql`. Remember to replace the bracketed placeholders with your actual credentials. PHP settings can also impact backup performance.

Backup Tool Supported Databases Advantages Disadvantages
mysqldump MySQL, MariaDB Simple, widely available, efficient for smaller databases. Can be slow for very large databases; requires database credentials.
pg_dump PostgreSQL Similar to mysqldump, but for PostgreSQL. Requires database credentials.
rsync Filesystem-level backups Efficient for incremental backups; preserves file permissions and timestamps. Requires careful configuration to avoid backing up unnecessary files.
Duplicity Multiple backends (local, FTP, SSH, cloud storage) Encrypted, incremental backups; supports various storage options. Can be complex to set up.

Here's a table detailing configuration details for a common backup scenario:

Setting Value Description
Backup Script Location /usr/local/bin/wiki_backup.sh Path to the backup script.
Database Username wiki_admin Username for accessing the wiki database.
Database Password securepassword123 Password for the wiki database (store securely!).
Database Name wiki_database Name of the wiki database.
Backup Directory /var/backups/wiki Directory where backup files are stored.
Offsite Storage Location Amazon S3 bucket Cloud storage location for offsite backups.
Backup Retention Days 30 Number of days to retain daily backups.

Use Cases

The need to "Back up your wiki" arises in various scenarios.

  • **Hardware Failure:** A failing hard drive or server component can lead to complete data loss. Backups provide a recovery mechanism.
  • **Software Corruption:** Bugs in MediaWiki, PHP, or the database software can corrupt the wiki's data.
  • **Accidental Deletion:** Users or administrators can inadvertently delete important pages or files.
  • **Malicious Attacks:** Hackers can compromise a wiki and delete or modify data.
  • **Software Updates:** Before performing a major MediaWiki upgrade, a backup is essential. If the upgrade fails, you can revert to the previous version.
  • **Disaster Recovery:** In the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event, offsite backups ensure business continuity.
  • **Testing and Development:** Creating a backup allows you to safely test changes and experiment with new features without risking your live wiki. A copy can be used for testing.

Performance

Backup performance is a critical consideration. Large wikis can take hours to back up, impacting server resources. Several factors influence backup speed:

  • **Database Size:** Larger databases take longer to dump.
  • **Disk I/O:** Slow disk I/O can bottleneck the backup process. Consider using SSD storage for faster backups.
  • **Network Bandwidth:** If backing up to offsite storage, network bandwidth is a limiting factor.
  • **Compression Level:** Higher compression levels take longer but reduce backup size.
  • **Backup Method:** Incremental backups are generally faster than full backups.
  • **Server Resources:** Insufficient CPU or memory can slow down the backup process. Consider upgrading your CPU if backups are consistently slow.

Monitoring backup performance is essential. Track backup duration, CPU usage, disk I/O, and network bandwidth. Identify bottlenecks and optimize the backup process accordingly. Scheduling backups during off-peak hours can minimize the impact on wiki users.

Pros and Cons

Each backup method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

  • **Full Backups:**
   * **Pros:** Simple to restore, complete data protection.
   * **Cons:** Large storage space requirements, long backup times.
  • **Incremental Backups:**
   * **Pros:** Reduced storage space, faster backup times.
   * **Cons:** More complex restoration process, reliance on the initial full backup.
  • **Database Dumps:**
   * **Pros:** Efficient for database backups, easy to automate.
   * **Cons:** Requires database credentials, doesn't back up MediaWiki files.
  • **Filesystem Backups:**
   * **Pros:** Backs up the entire wiki installation, including files and configuration.
   * **Cons:**  Large storage space requirements, can be slow.
  • **Cloud Storage Backups:**
   * **Pros:** Offsite storage, scalability, redundancy.
   * **Cons:** Reliance on internet connectivity, potential security concerns.  Consider using a reputable provider with strong security measures. Security is paramount.

Conclusion

"Back up your wiki" is not merely a technical task; it's a fundamental responsibility for any wiki administrator. A well-planned and consistently executed backup strategy is the best defense against data loss. Regularly test your backups to ensure they are restorable. Automate the backup process to minimize human error. Store backups offsite to protect against physical disasters. Consider a tiered retention policy to balance storage costs and data recovery needs. Finally, document your backup procedures thoroughly. A reliable backup strategy provides peace of mind and ensures the long-term viability of your wiki. Investing in a robust backup solution is a small price to pay compared to the cost of losing valuable data. Remember to choose a backup method that aligns with your specific needs and resources. A well-maintained wiki, backed up diligently, is a valuable asset to any organization or individual.

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