Create system snapshots with CYA
Recovery from a Live System
From a running Live session, first mount the USB stick with the recovery script, if this does not happen automatically, and switch to the console. Alternatively, you could mount the partition manually and specify the absolute path to the script in home/cya/
. Then, start the script with the ./recovery.sh
command and follow the instructions (Figure 5).

First, select which snapshot you want to restore; then, you can take a new snapshot of the installed system. In the test case here, this didn't make sense because the system was no longer bootable, but it can help in the later diagnosis of a broken system.
Next, decide whether the script removes files that are not in the backup from the installed system. The answer to the last question determines whether the recovery runs as a single pass or whether you want to confirm each directory of the root tree individually. In my example, the latter made sense because I knew that the system only lacked the boot directory. If you don't know what's broken, no would be the right answer.
Now, a final warning appears notifying you that the software will overwrite all data from this point onward. CYA shows the selected options and waits for you to enter the word restore
to start the process (Figure 6). The script then processes the selected options (Figure 7).


Within minutes to half an hour, depending on the options selected and the hardware used, the process is complete and the software prompts you to restart the installed system (Figure 8).

Conclusions
There are many ways to create restore points for a system restore. CYA may seem complex at first glance, but that has a positive long-term effect. The script offers many possibilities for customization and is suitable for desktop use, as well as for use via SSH on a server (Figure 9).
As with any backup program, you should run through the process, including the restore, at least once. The project has documented the entire process in an exemplary manner on the website and in around 20 YouTube videos on the individual topics [3].
Once you have configured CYA and provided it with a cronjob or systemd timer, you do not need to do anything until an emergency occurs. If necessary, you can take manual snapshots in just a few seconds. CYA did not cause any problems in the test and will replace Clonezilla on my system, which I previously used for this purpose.
« Previous 1 2 3
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Direct Download
Read full article as PDF:
Price $2.95
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
Kubuntu Focus Announces XE Gen 2 Linux Laptop
Another Kubuntu-based laptop has arrived to be your next ultra-portable powerhouse with a Linux heart.
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.
-
openSUSE Leap 15.5 Beta Now Available
The final version of the Leap 15 series of openSUSE is available for beta testing and offers only new software versions.
-
Linux Kernel 6.2 Released with New Hardware Support
Find out what's new in the most recent release from Linus Torvalds and the Linux kernel team.