When tasked with backing up a website hosted on a Linux VPS, particularly when the hosting configuration is unknown, it can seem like a daunting challenge. This guide walks you through identifying the web server, understanding the hosting configuration, creating a backup, and preparing for restoration.
Step 1: Identifying the Web Server
Before initiating a backup, the first task is to understand what web services are running on the server.
Login to the Server
Use SSH to access the VPS:
ssh root@<server-ip>
Check Running Processes
Identify the web server (e.g., Apache or Nginx) using:
ps aux | grep -E 'nginx|apache|httpd'
Example output:
root 788 0.0 0.0 121936 2220 ? Ss 09:06 0:00 nginx: master process /usr/sbin/nginx
From this, we know Nginx is running on the server.
Check Installed Packages
Confirm installed web servers:
yum list installed | grep -E 'nginx|apache'
This verifies if both Nginx and Apache are installed, though only one may be active.
Step 2: Locating the Website Files
The next step is to find where the website files are stored.
Check Web Server Configuration
Look for the root directory in the configuration files:
For Nginx:
grep -r 'root' /etc/nginx/
For Apache:
grep -r 'DocumentRoot' /etc/httpd/
Example for Nginx:
root /var/www/knights;
This indicates the files are in /var/www/knights.
Explore the Directory
Navigate to the directory and list its contents:
cd /var/www/vishrava
ls -l
Identify the Website Type
Look for specific files that indicate the framework or CMS:
• WordPress: wp-config.php, wp-content/
• Laravel: .env, artisan
• Static Website: Files like index.html, manifest.json, static/
In this example, files like index.html, manifest.json, and static/ suggest it’s a static website or single-page application (SPA).
Step 3: Creating a Backup
Once the hosting configuration is understood, create a complete backup of the website and any additional required files.
Backup Website Files
Compress the website directory:
tar -czvf website_backup.tar.gz /var/www/knights
Include Files from Root Directory
If there are important files in the root folder:
tar -czvf complete_backup.tar.gz /var/www/knights /root/file1 /root/file2
Transfer Backup to Local Machine
Use scp to copy the backup to your local machine:
scp root@<server-ip>:/complete_backup.tar.gz /path/to/local/directory
Step 4: Monitoring Folder Capacity
To ensure disk usage remains within limits during the backup process:
Check Folder Size
Use the du command:
du -sh /var/www/vishrava
Example output:
438M /var/www/knights
Monitor Changes in Real-Time
Use the watch command to monitor folder size live:
watch -n 5 du -sh /var/www/vishrava
Find Large Files
If space is unexpectedly high, locate large files:
find /var/www/vishrava -type f -size +100M -exec ls -lh {} \;
Step 5: Preparing for Restoration
With the backup complete, prepare to restore the website if needed:
Verify Backup
Extract the backup locally to ensure it contains the required files:
tar -tzvf /path/to/local/directory/complete_backup.tar.gz
Restore Backup
To restore, place the files back in their original directory:
tar -xzvf complete_backup.tar.gz -C /
Restart Web Server
Ensure the web server is restarted to recognize the restored files:
• For Nginx:
systemctl restart nginx
• For Apache:
systemctl restart httpd
Backing up a website on a Linux VPS involves identifying the web server, locating the website files, and creating a reliable backup. Monitoring disk usage ensures a smooth process, while preparation for restoration ensures minimal downtime. These practices not only safeguard your data but also empower you with confidence in server management.
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